Antarctic Family and Friends Association

The Antarctic Family and Friends Association is a support and social group for family and friends of current and former expeditioners. The association aims to be a source of friendship, comfort and information for members. 

In 1965, Nel Law, wife of the first permanent director of AAD, Dr Phillip Law, established the Antarctic Wives' Association of Australia, to be a social link and source of support for the wives of ANARE expeditioners. The organisation is now called the Antarctic Family and Friends Association, in acknowledgment of changes to both  society and ANARE, in particular regarding the increasing number of female expeditioners. 

There are branches of the Association in all states and members meet each month for informal social get-togethers. It is always possible to find someone who is having, or has previously experienced, the trials and tribulations of having an expeditioner 'down south' within the group. 

For those new members less familiar with the Australian Antarctic Territories, the association can point you towards sources of information. Other members can often provide books, magazine articles, photos and slides to help you familiarise yourself with 'things' Antarctic. 

New members not living in metropolitan areas can be put in touch with other members who may live nearby, and get-togethers are sometimes organised 'out-of-town' so that country members can participate. 

Members receive a newsletter with details of each state's monthly meeting, and anecdotes and articles relating to Antarctica.

Enquires and membership application forms are available from:

Mrs Tina Congues 
12 Clement St
Dandenong, 3175
Victoria 3175 

Tina may also be phoned on (03) 9794 6683.