Extreme leadership at the end of the world

The college once again hosted the very successful Student Leaders event on July 27 2006. All student club executives and student ambassadors, were invited to hear Rachael Robertson give a presentation entitled Extreme Leadership at the End of the World. Rachael spent 12 months in the Antarctic, where she successfully led the 58th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davis Station.

Davis Station is the largest and busiest of Australia’s three continental stations and over summer it is home to over 80 expeditioners undertaking important research in areas such as glaciology, biology, seismology, geology and space and atmospheric science. It’s a complex operation involving the use of airplanes and helicopters to deploy the scientists into very remote parts of the continent.

As Station Leader, Rachael was responsible for all aspects of life on station, from the safety and welfare of the expeditioners, to the delivery of the Australian Government’s $10m science program. Rachael's story of courage and resilience in a harsh and lonely environment was inspirational to all who attended. With experience in managing a variety of coastal and marine issues through both her leadership roles in Parks Victoria and the Australian Antarctic Division and as a member of the Western Coastal Board, Rachael has a demonstrated commitment to developing innovative solutions to the management of protected areas.

With breathtaking photographs, Rachael recounted her experiences from a year in the highest, driest, coldest and windiest place on earth.