Antarctic adventurer

Arts graduate Joe Johnson (BA, MA) has experienced being trapped in ice for over a month and endured some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded at sea-level. His involvement with Antarctica and invaluable research has earned him the Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM) and more recently, the position of Chair of the Australian Antarctic Names and Medals committee.

Dr Joe Johnson first journeyed to Antarctica in 1980 when he was selected to be officer in charge of the Casey Station for 12 months. He returned again in 1998 as Station Leader of Davis. It was during this expedition that he experienced temperatures of -42, the coldest ever recorded at sea level at the station. But freezing conditions didn't deter the 120-strong team. "During the year we provided considerable assistance to the Chinese Research Station at Szhong Shan about 80 miles from Davis, and the neighbouring Russian Station, Progress II."

Upon returning to Australia, Dr Johnson worked on various studies at the Antarctic Division, including a study into the feasibility of establishing an air link between Australia and Antarctica - a project that is hoped to be completed by 2004/05.

In 2001 he was awarded the Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM) for work in the Antarctic and studies in the Antarctic Division. Not long afterwards he travelled back to Antarctica on a hazardous journey as leader of the resupply voyage by MV Polar Bird.

"This voyage turned out to be a challenge because a sudden change in weather and sea-ice conditions saw us trapped in the ice in Prydz Bay for 36 days. A change in ice conditions enabled us to move 22 miles to be met by the Aurora Australis, and subsequently to follow her out to open water, using her better ice-breaking capacity."

Joe Johnson at Casey Station in 2002 with the Kapitan Khlebnikov in the background

The latest expedition was in 2002 as leader of the first continental voyage for the season, utilizing the Russian icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov.

In his more " normal life" Dr Johnson works for Environment Australia in Canberra as Assistant Director, Compliance and Enforcement. He holds a BA and MA from Monash University, a PhD in ecological science from California, an LLB (Hons) from London and is currently undertaking an LLM (specialising in international law) part-time at ANU.

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