19 January 2007
The most unusual, and maybe coldest, barbecue to be held this summer will take place this weekend as part of the commemorations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of New Zealand Antarctic operations including the establishment of Scott Base.
The barbecue, for Scott Base staff, invited visitors and media, will be hosted tonight by the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae.
“Lieutenant General Mateparae last visited Scott Base with the then Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright in 2003. He is particularly pleased to be able to participate in the commemorations and it is fitting that he is the host of another fine Kiwi tradition that of the Kiwi BBQ,” said Lieutenant Commander Karen Ward, the NZDF Senior National Officer in Antarctica.
The Antarctic/NZDF relationship goes back to1956 when the HMNZS Endeavour carried personnel, huskies, aircraft and stores to the Antarctic to set up Scott Base and assist the New Zealand Support Party of the Commonwealth Trans Antarctic Expedition, lead by Sir Edmund Hillary.
The relationship continues today with NZDF transporting people and equipment to the ice each year. The NZDF also provides a number of staff in support of Antarctica New Zealand and the United States Antarctic Programme for the summer season. These personnel are based at McMurdo Station, where they look after air cargo movements, and Scott Base, where they undertake communications operations, cargo handling, heavy plant operations and base services management functions.
ENDS
Pictured above right: January 2007, Antarctica. LtT GEN Jerry Mateparae arrives in Antarctica for the 50th Anniversary of Scott Base.
For further information please contact Ally Clelland, Defence Public Relations
04 496 0273 or 021 569 130