Rock royalty headlines Antarctic recruitment campaign 11 December 2020

Australian Antarctic Division

An icy take on an Australian rock classic is being used to entice potential Antarctic expeditioners south for the 2021/22 season.

‘Under The Milky Way’ by The Church is the soundtrack of the annual recruitment campaign for the Australian Antarctic Program, encouraging people to “find what you’re looking for”.

Written by Steve Kilbey and Karin Jansson, the international hit was originally released in 1988.

“A long time ago I wrote this song called ‘Under The Milky Way’, which people have assured me has since become an iconic song,” Steve Kilbey said.

“We’ve re-recorded this song as a recruitment advertisement to get people to work for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) down in Antarctica, which is one of the great undiscovered wildernesses in this world.”

Kilbey recorded the ‘Antarctic’ version in Gosford in 2020, with fellow musicians Barton Price (Models, Dragon, Choirboys, Wa Wa Nee and The Party Boys), Roger Mason (Models, Absent Friends and Icehouse), and classical guitarist Gareth Koch.

A new second verse has been specially written about Antarctica, referencing penguins and auroras.

The AAD is searching for more than 150 people to fill a wide range of roles down south for the 2021-22 season.

25 predominantly trades-based roles across all four stations keep Australia’s research stations at Casey, Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island running.

AAD Human Resources Manager, Maree Riley, said it was a chance to be part of a national program undertaking critical science in an environment like no other.

“It’s an amazing opportunity and such a unique experience to live and work on an Antarctic station, somewhere where so few people have the opportunity to even visit,” she said.

“Our expeditioners are essential to support the vital science work of the Australian Antarctic Program and maintain Australia’s research stations.”

The roles needed include station support, telecommunications, infrastructure, aviation, science, mechanical and medical.

Contracts vary according to the position and season but usually run between four and 15 months.

Applications close on 21 January 2021. Visit jobs.antarctica.gov.au for more information.

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