Building of the Phil Law Cairn at Mawson Summer 2010/11
The graves of the 3 men who died at Mawson, Robert White (1963), Ken Wilson (1972) and Geoff Cameron (1974) are on West Arm looking across to Mawson. They are very much a part of Mawson - the simple yet elegant white crosses visible against the rock of West Arm whenever you gaze out across the harbour. Phil Law's cairn has been built adjacent to these graves.
Photo taken in 1998.
Cairns on West Arm. People from left to right around Phil Law cairn: Anne Waterhouse (Doc), Mike Hyde (physicist), Jim Milne (station leader), Scott Hine-Hancock (electrician). Photo by Martin Passingham.
Outline of Phil Law cairn on West Arm. Mawson station in background across Horseshoe Harbour. Photo by Martin Passingham.
A team at Mawson including Jim Milne, Anne Waterhouse, Scott Hine-Hancock, and Mike Hyde, has already constructed the the cairn. (See photo) The rock was removed from the quarry downhill from the tank house at Mawson, and transported by hagglunds to West Arm. The rocks were then carried by hand for the last 100 meters over West Arm, a mammoth effort taking three days. When completed the cairn will consist of around 627 rocks (count provided by Jim Milne!), most weighing between 10 to 30 kilograms. The headstone weighs 82 kilograms.
The ANARE Club is deeply appreciative of the effort and care put in by Jim and the Mawson expeditioners and has passed on its thanks.
Some of the cairn builders. People from left to right : Anne Waterhouse, Mike Hyde, Jim Milne, Scott Hine-Hancock. Photo by Martin Passingham.
Further Links:
- Building the cairn
- Wharfside ceremony photos
- Wharfside ceremony news
- 'Handover' at Mawson
- The Interrment