Two weeks trapped in thick ice gives you a lot of time to think, according to Footscray’s Janet Rice.
The Greens federal Senator-elect, who takes up her role in July, was stuck on board the Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy when it became stuck in ice on Christmas Eve while undertaking an Australian Antarctic expedition.
The 52 passengers and 22 crew spent an uncertain two weeks in Commonwealth Bay before the passengers were finally airlifted to safety.
In Footscray this Thursday, Ms Rice, who had joined the expedition as a paying volunteer, will speak about her experiences. She said that despite the four-week trip turning into more than six weeks, the mood on board remained buoyant.
“There was just one period when there was concern,” she said. “A couple of large icebergs came too close for comfort; if they had come much closer they could have compressed the ice between the iceberg and the ship, which could have damaged the ship.”
But the danger passed and passengers made the most of their time by learning more about the region and climate science from scientists on board.
“We were learning about Antarctica and how climate change is having a major impact on this pristine environment. It really furthered my resolve to do something about this.” Ms Rice’s talk will be accompanied by images and reflections on how her time in Antarctica will influence her coming work in the Senate. The talk is from 7.30-10.30pm at the Dancing Dog Café, 42A Albert Street, Footscray. Tickets $10/$5.
RSVP: bit.ly/S0CBz7
