Heard Island

Arthur Scholes was one of the radio operators for the first ANARE expedition to Heard Island in 1947-48. When the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) was formed its first bases were established at Heard Island and Macquarie Island. A base on the Antarctic continent was not established until 1954, by which time valuable experience had been gathered in the harsh conditions on Heard Island.

The island, 4,000 kilometres south-west of Perth, is buffeted by strong winds and storms. The landing of the expedition ship was difficult and it narrowly avoided being wrecked. Living and working conditions were impeded by the weather and continual maintenance of the huts was necessary. Despite this, valuable meteorological, geophysical, geological and biological studies were made.

In late 1954 the Heard Island base was closed down to make way for Mawson Base on the mainland. Equipment from the island base was either sent south or back to Australia. At this time Australia could not afford to maintain the island base as well as a continental one and it was felt Heard Island, rather than Macquarie Island, was expendable.

Heard Island is now a listed World Heritage Area. The island and the surrounding seas were declared a Marine Reserve in 2002.

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