Australians in Antarctica

Australia claims about 42 percent of the land mass of Antarctica Continent - largely based on the exploration voyages led by Sir Douglas Mawson in the first half of this century. Yet by 1953 we had no permanent bases on the Antarctic continent. Australians in Antarctica reviews Australia's postwar push south, with the establishment of permanent stations on the sub-Antarctic islands of Heard and Masquarie in 1948, and the first settlement on the Antarctic mainland - Mawson Station - achieved by 1954. The six documentaries draw on extensive oral history interviews with the men (there were no wintering women expeditioners until 1976) who pioneered the polar exploration and scientific programs from 1948 through to the 1970s - including Dr Phillip Law, who was the director of ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions) from 1949-66.

©1997 Tim Bowden (P)2013 Australian Broadcasting Corporation