A Jubilee Medallion has been struck to mark this event and will soon be available to Members to obtain as a souvenir keep-sake. Designed by Vice President Ivan Hawthorn with art assistance from John Gillies, a limited run of 400 was produced. The Medallions are available at the Sales pages.
Referring to the demise of Capt Robert Falcon Scott and his South Pole traverse team, on ‘Observation Hill’ overlooking the great ice barrier and the winter quarters of the “Discovery” Hut is a wooden cross of Australian Jarrah. Inscribed there on is the following “To Strive, to Seek, to Find, and not to Yield”.
These words epitomize those fellow expeditioners is now celebrated with the striking of this Mawson 50th Jubilee Medallion.
The saga of Douglas Mawson (later knighted Sir Douglas Mawson) runs parallel to an incredible Australian story of achievement by Albert Blaisky OAM, entitled “Determination Defies Defeat”. That day in 1907 as Douglas Mawson stood for the first time with Ernest Shackleton on the Antarctic continent, little did he dream that his name would live on in the annals of Antarctic exploration and scientific achievement on this cold unforgiving, yet un-imaginably beautiful continent. Mawson’s exploits and achievements are well documented, read, held in the highest esteem and needing no further adulation.
The 13th February 2004 records “The Jubilee of 50 years of Continuous Occupation and Scientific Endeavours at Mawson Station” is now celebrated with the striking of this “Mawson Jubilee Medallion”.
The establishment of Australia’s first permanent scientific station on the Antarctic continent was the dream of one man, Dr Phillip Law, then Director of the Australian Antarctic Division for 17 years, and for the past forty years “Patron of the ANARE Club, Inc.”
Mawson Station, renowned amongst those fortunate enough to have wintered there as the “Premier Station of the South”, has a history of scientific endeavours that has set Australia, its wintering scientists and logistic personnel, in the fore front in all spheres of Polar Science and Marine Biology. For those of you who made these fifty years of continuous occupancy possible … this then is your Medallion.
Ivan G Hawthorn, Esq. BEM. Jp.
Wintering member and OIC 1971-73-75-79.
Mawson’s Hut in Miniature
