We asked our passengers to fill out a survey to share a bit more about themselves. Here’s what they shared:
Andrew Hay
Christchurch, New Zealand
Practicing Veterinary Surgeon currently on a sabbatical. Enjoy all things nature & the mountain environment.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
The bespoke trip plan maximising active on shore time. NZ led & the quality of the speakers on board.
I’m most looking forward to:
History, geography, and wildlife.
Anna & Gareth Clare
Christchurch, New Zealand
Anna works for Antarctic Heritage Trust as the Communications and Engagement Manager. On the expedition, Anna will be helping our Inspiring Explorers complete their outreach projects and capturing photographic and video content for the Trust. Anna will be joined by her husband Gareth as one of the guests, although she will likely be putting him to work as a camera assistant too! Gareth’s day job has two parts, he is a pilot of Air New Zealand and he also works in Air New Zealand’s sustainability team. In our spare time we enjoy sailing, snow skiing, water skiing, and walking with our black labrador Blake. Anna also still manages to make it around a netball court each Saturday morning in the winter.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
For Gareth this is a bucket-list trip to see South Georgia’s historical connections to Shackleton, its’s incredible wild life, and the ability to see the Trust’s mission in action and gain a greater understanding of what Anna spends her week’s working to achieve.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, meeting new people and visiting somewhere new.
Claire Buttigieg & John Timings
New Zealand
Drawing (John), photography (Claire), and polar travel (us).
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Lizzie Meek (Collections Conservation Manager from the Antarctic Heritage Trust).
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, and birdwatching.
Edwina & Geoffrey Laurence
Auckland, New Zealand
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Geoff has since early childhood had a fascination for the activities of Amundsen, Scott and Shackleton and their crews. This expedition gives us the opportunity to see and experience some of that world.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, and visiting the South Georgia places significant to Shackleton and his crews from Endurance and other expeditions.
Elizabeth & Matthew Thomas
United Kingdom
We are retired and have a lifelong interest in the natural world.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
We have been members of the NZAHT since 2011
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, and birdwatching.
Francesca Eathorne
Christchurch, New Zealand
I’m the new Executive Director of the Trust although I’ve worked at the Trust for over six years. My interests include Pilates, martial arts, enjoying theatre, getting out into nature and, of course, Antarctic heritage!
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
To support our guests and Inspiring Explorers team on this incredible expedition. In my previous role as COO at the Trust I usually ran operations for our field-based expeditions, so I am excited to join in this one!
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, meeting new people, visiting somewhere new, and seeing our Inspiring Explorers programme in action.
Georgina Archibald
Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand
Mālō e lelei! I’m Georgie, born and raised in Ōtautahi, of Pākehā and Tongan heritage. I have a background in literature, law and education, attending the University of Otago and the University of Colorado Boulder on a Fulbright Award. I work as a Pacific Learning Advisor at Ara|Te Pūkenga. My passion is supporting students to succeed in education so they can increasingly action and inspire positive changes in their communities. I was fortunate to be selected as a team member for Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula in 2019. This year I joined the Trust’s Board as an Independent Trustee after three years in the governance internship programme. I’m also involved in governance across a range of Waitaha Canterbury initiatives that support youth development, conservation, and sustainable intentional communities. My favourite hobbies include camping, fishing, bird watching, and reading science fiction and fantasy.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
As an AHT Board member and mentor for our younger Inspiring Explorers on the expedition.
I am most looking forward to:
History, wildlife, birdwatching and meeting new people.
Hanlin & Kate Johnstone
New Zealand
We enjoy the outdoors, golf, skiing, walking, our dog, travel, eating, drinking and socialising. Should be retired totally.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Follow the early explorers tracks to a harsh and seldom visited part of the world.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
James S Mason
Southampton, England
I am an electronic engineer working in the semiconductor and battery industries. I have an interest in polar science and renewable energy. I have studied Antarctic science at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. I have worked on a project for photovoltaic energy at South Pole station for the US Antarctic Program and also presented to the British Antarctic Survey. I have visited the Falkland Islands and Svalbard and travelled extensively in South America and Australasia. I’m interested in the history of polar exploration and the early explorers such as Shackleton, Nansen and Scott. I am also keen on aviation (being a private pilot) and boating.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
I have always been interested in South Georgia and have wanted to visit for many years. I also admire the achievements of Shackleton although I believe that he was not always the easiest of individuals, which sometimes gets overlooked in modern accounts of his career.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, and wildlife.
Joanna Booker
Arrowtown, New Zealand
I work for a company doing conservation/farming on four large high-country stations, I am also a trustee of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust. For fun I love to cross country ski, hike and spend time in the hills with my dog.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
This is something I’ve been reading about since I was young, and it is a dream come true to be able to join this trip.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, and meeting new people.
John Bierre & Victoria Jones
New Zealand
John is a Lawyer and Victoria is a Clothing designer. We love skiing, tramping, photography, art, nature, animals.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Shackleton was an inspirational explorer. The expedition is a once in a lifetime experience, not to be missed.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
John Crawshaw
Greece
I grew up in the UK but have lived in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore. Now I divide my time mainly between South Carolina and Greece, where I indulge in my lifelong love of the Classics by giving time to support scientific research and archaeology on the island of Kefalonia in the search for the ancient Ithaca depicted in Homer’s Odyssey. In my spare time, I carry out bird photography wherever and whenever I can.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
To explore South Georgia and better understand Shackleton’s great feat of leadership and endurance in the face of overwhelming odds.
I am most looking forward to:
Geography, wildlife, and birdwatching.
Keith Paterson & Helen Verity
Christchurch, New Zealand
Keith is Project Director for the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement and Helen runs the home office. Our four children are variously deployed, having been educated in Christchurch and Otago. Prior to this we lived in Singapore and Wellington as Keith had a career with Beca as an engineer and manager.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
We love to travel, and South Georgia sounds amazing. It is a chance to appreciate the past and meet some new people.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Kim Turner
Toronto, Canada
I retired from Ryerson University (now called Toronto Metropolitan University) in 2020 where I led an international research project on urban dimensions of immigrant integration (Tindall Foundation was among our partners). My husband and I spend summers in the Gaspé region of Quebec (read, garden, golf/hike, repeat), and recently travelled to Japan. Our new puppy, Nikko, is named after a favourite city in Japan.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Intrigued by the epic story of the Endurance and the opportunity to experience South Georgia’s remote beauty and night sky, pristine environment, birds and other local residents.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, and birdwatching.
Leonie Mercer
Wellington, New Zealand
I am a nurse by profession and work at Mānatu Hauora|Ministry of Health. As well as my full-time work, I study Fine Arts part-time at Massey University. My love of adventure and learning new things has meant a lot of backpacking trips around the world. By mistake, I called a wrong phone number which led to volunteering with the coastal patrol in Sydney. This directly led to sailing and afternoon racing, and then to two blue water races. The first race was to Lord Howe Island and a few months later, a Sydney to Hobart race before helping to sail a yacht back across the Tasman Sea. When I left for my short OE I didn’t expect to live in the UK for 13 years, in Australia for 10, before coming home to Aotearoa 15 years ago. My partner and I have just returned from a 10 day cruise in the Pacific. This was a COVID twice-cancelled trip and fortunately the dates haven’t overlapped.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Antarctica, Shackleton and early exploration have been my passion since a young child. South Georgia is a place that I have always wanted to visit.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Lesley McTurk
Waiheke Island, New Zealand
My deep interest in all thing’s Antarctic springs from my visit there, being an independent trustee of the AHT and completing the PCAS course at Canterbury University. The social history of Antarctica and the Heroic Age of exploration of particular interest. I currently work in public health and enjoy a life full of work, family, three teenage granddaughters, reading avidly, keeping abreast of political matters, gardening and living simply with a beautiful rescue dog.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Fascinated by the Heroic Era and Shackleton’s life and story, I loved the experience when I visited the Antarctic Peninsula and this was a not-to-be-missed opportunity with a wonderful group of people who share similar interests.
I am most looking forward to:
History, wildlife and meeting new people.
Lindsay Eccles
Cairns, Australia
A semi-retired GP, I’ve always been a traveler, and now do occasional locums whilst the dog and I travel around in our motorhome. Ricky is VERY upset he can’t come to South Georgia, but I know he’ll be happy staying with “aunty” Erica. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to hand out “how to vote” cards at the referendum on 14th October: I’ve been doing a bit of volunteering for the Yes23 campaign for constitutional recognition of our First Nations peoples: we’re a bit behind you Kiwis!
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
When I went to the Ross Sea in 2000-1, I met a lot of people who said that South Georgia was the best place they’d ever been, so I put it on my bucket list. Then I found out about Shackleton…need I say more. Originally the trip was my present to myself when I retired in November 2020, but we all know what happened to that! I can’t wait!
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, meeting the Inspiring Explorers.
Lynette & Dave Gillies
Mt Maunganui, New Zealand
Dave and I have been together for 33 years, working together in our business for all of that time. We operate 10 Z Services covering the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty. We are passionate about supporting our local community and growing our people’s potential to be the best they can be. We love travelling overseas, going to places that may not be your usual holiday destination. We enjoy strength training, hiking, outdoor adventures and spending time with friends and family and our 2 adopted cats Maggie May and Phoebe the Deeb.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Having been to the Sub Antarctic islands and the Ross Sea Antarctica in 2018 with Heritage Expeditions, we wanted to add another epic adventure to our memory bank.
We are most looking forward to:
History, wildlife, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Melanie Jones & Peter Davidson
Christchurch, New Zealand
Pete is a retired Urologist and is a keen cyclist, swimmer and photographer. Mel is a retired lawyer and is a keen swimmer and clarinetist.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
We were talked into it by our friends Rob and Jean!
We are most looking forward to:
History and wildlife.
Michelle & Michael Patterson
Christchurch, New Zealand
We have been married for 27 years and have four sons. Together we enjoy travel and are fortunate to be travelling through South America for three weeks prior to the Shackleton Expedition.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Through business we have a strong association with both the US and NZ Antarctic programs plus the Antarctic Heritage Trust. It’s through these connections that we heard of the opportunity to join the expedition.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, and birdwatching, meeting new people and being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Mike Andison
Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
Recently retired from a career in small business financial management & accounting, now assisting with a family farm operation.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
Intrigued by stories and photographs of friends who have experienced the Antarctic as well as the story of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, this expedition seemed a wonderful opportunity for a unique travel experience.
I am most looking forward to:
History, wildlife and being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Mike Barber
Christchurch, New Zealand
I’m an active person who’s into the outdoors and anything adventurous. I live by the ocean and in my spare time, when not surfing or biking, I enjoy the theatre and sharing some great stories.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
I’m the Inspiring Explorers™ Programme Manager so will be leading the team of young adults through the expedition. I’ll be working with our ship’s crew throughout the expedition to make sure we make the most of the time we have.
I am most looking forward to:
Geography, wildlife, birdwatching and visiting somewhere new.
Patricia Mackenzie
Christchurch, New Zealand
I work for the Antarctic Heritage Trust as the Development & Philanthropy Manager. I love travel, being outdoors, eating great food, and hunting for vintage items. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, USA and moved to New Zealand in 2018 with my Kiwi husband. I’m a new mum that spends most of my free time renovating our 1910s Kiwi villa.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
After three years at the Trust, it will be great to see an Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ programme first-hand. I’m also really excited to get to know our supporters and other passengers on the ship.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, meeting new people and visiting somewhere new.
Rachel Carr
Winchester, United Kingdom
I am passionate about travel and adventure. For this trip to combine this, along with meeting cousins I have not met in person with before is exceptionally special. You will find me on board chatting and joining in with as much as possible!
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
My grandfather, Sir Charles Roderick Carr, was the aviator on the Quest expedition.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Rob & Jean Johnstone
Wanaka, New Zealand
We are retired to Wanaka after farming for many years near Dunedin. We love all the outdoor pursuits which are so accessible from here.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
We’ve always been very interested in heading south and we’re lucky enough to hear of a late availability of a berth. So here we are.
We are most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, and meeting new people.
Robin & Bill Kermode
Auckland, New Zealand
We are both interested in giving back to young people, experiencing wildlife on the planet, and having fun with like-minded souls. We both have jobs involved in environment and education. Bill is Chief Executive of family foundation NEXT, and Robin is a lead educator on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
We joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
When we went to the sub-Antarctic Islands, the birders there told us that there was only one place better for bird and wildlife – South Georgia. The chance to go there with young people was a no-brainer for us. Thank you, Nigel!
We are most looking forward to:
Wildlife, meeting new people & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Selwyn Eathorne
Aotearoa New Zealand
I love travelling and the outdoors – and anything that is life giving. I’ve had a few different careers including in law and corporate governance.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
It’s an extraordinary travel experience to visit such a remote and precious part of the world – and it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do this with the Trust. South is one of my favourite books and I can’t wait to retrace some of the party’s footsteps on the island.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, meeting new people, being on holiday/visiting somewhere new and the awe-inspiring landscapes and nature.
Sue Allison
Canterbury, New Zealand
Freelance writer, gardener, grandmother.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
To visit a frontier that is unknown to me. A relative was with Shackleton on his final Quest voyage which makes the expedition all the more pertinent.
I am most looking forward to:
History, wildlife, meeting new people.
William A Scott
Erin, Ontario, Canada
I have been a corporate lawyer for the last 40 years and continue to practice full time.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
I have been a keen student of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration since my time at Cambridge where I met a number of graduate students at the Scott Polar Institute, including the Norwegian, Monica Kristensen, who, among other things, led expeditions to recreate Amundson’s dogsled trip to the South Pole and attempts to recover his South Pole tent. I was also on a voyage (along with Nigel Watson) in 2011 on the Russian icebreaker, the Kapitan Klebnikov, to the Ross Sea to visit Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts. The expedition to South Georgia will complete the pilgrimage!
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography, wildlife, birdwatching, meeting new people (including the Inspiring Explorers) & being on holiday/visiting somewhere new.
Willie Palmer
Christchurch, New Zealand
I am mostly a court lawyer. However, I enjoy frequent trips into the outdoors – on foot mainly, but also on skis and my bike.
I joined the South Georgia Expedition because:
A desire to see the Antarctic environment and a long-term enjoyment of reading about the polar explorers.
I am most looking forward to:
History, geography and wildlife.
