John Tarbuck (1935-2023)

Cook: Macquarie Island 1963
Cook: Wilkes 1965
Expedition Assistant: Wilkes 1967
Cook: Davis 1969

John Tarbuck passed in Western Australia in June 2023. John served in ’63 and ’65 as cook at Macquarie Island, and Wilkes, and in ’67 and ’69 at Wilkes and Davis as station assistant and cook, respectively. John was cheery, well liked and respected, and was a fine cook and baker. He leaves a loving family including his wife, Kerry; he was dad to Jenny, father-in-law to Alex, and grandad to Callum.

After his years with us in Antarctica he travelled overseas. On his return to Australia he cooked for the mines up north. He had his own cafe in Port Hedland for some time but developed ill health and moved back down south in Western Australia

His friends and colleagues over four expeditions will certainly miss John as well.

Peter McGrath