Jenny Paton
Communications Operator
Before becoming a communications operator with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) I had several different jobs. These included working for New South Wales Police Radio for 10 years, studying for a degree in Environmental Science whilst working as a Seasonal Ranger, and working as part of the Westpac Lifesaver helicopter crew. This experience allowed me to get the qualifications necessary to apply for a job at the AAD. It took me two attempts to secure my job with the AAD after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper. The first time I applied there were too many people with existing contracts, so I tried again the next year and it was second time lucky and I’m now on my 4th season in Antarctica and won’t go back home until April of next year. The best parts of spending time in Antarctica are the people you meet, the wilderness and of course the wildlife!
As a communications officer onboard the Aurora Australis it is my job to facilitate ship to shore and air to ground communications. Ship to shore communications usually involves direct communications with Antarctic stations such as Casey. Air to ground communications involves communicating with the helicopter pilots every 15 minutes when they’re flying, passing on information about the weather conditions and checking that everything is running smoothly. I also work with field radio assisting woth communications between the bridge and scientists on the ice floe and complete email transfers 4 times a day.
In the time I have between trips to Antarctica I have had other jobs such as working at Taronga Zoo, Sydney which was lots of fun. I am also an avid reader and enjoy walking.
