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Introducing Tristan da Cunha's 'Station'
In 1942 a Royal Naval Station originally code named Job 9 and later HMS Atlantic Isle
was established on Tristan da Cunha. Buildings were constructed on land below islanders' houses with a 'quarterdeck', homes for personnel, a school, hospital and a store, known as a 'canteen'. After the station left this area became the site for new expatriate homes (mostly Colt bungalows), but the name 'station' stuck, and to this day islanders often refer to expatriates living ' on the station', though today there are only four expatriate station personnel (Administrator, Doctor, Priest and UN Seismic Station Manager) plus other occasional staff.
On this page we publish stories of expatriate workers who keep up the tradition of
'those station fellas', though separate pages provide information on
doctors and visiting health workers- see Hospital News , priests - see Church News the Administrator - see Administrator and Government News; and
Scientific Monitoring Stations Page
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October 2011 update on Expatriate Employees on Tristan
from Administrator Sean Burns
and Tina Glass
New CEO takes up his post
The new Chief Executive Officer Kobus Potgeiter arrived in July. The position is DfID funded and Kobus is here to help with the government reform programme with a focus on procurement, finances and budgeting, structure and performance evaluation. Kobus has made a great start and we all look forward to working very closely with Kobus over the coming months.
PWD Director
We had identified a new director but sadly he did not take up the offer. We will be interviewing in the next few weeks and hope to have a new Director in post by January.
New Doctor
Dr Tony Miles arrived aboard MV Baltic Trader on 2nd October to replace Medical Officer Dr Cornelius Bouwer in charge of Camogli Hospital.
CTBTO Station Manager Change-Over
Geoffrey Hienard arrived aboard SA Agulhas to replace Thomas Lafaille as CTBTO Station Manager.
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Deputy Administrator
takes up her post
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Tasha Reilly arrived aboard MV Edinburgh on Saturday 1st November to take up the new temporary post of Deputy to Tristan Administrator David Morley.
Like David, Tasha is a diplomat employed the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She worked on Afghanistan earlier in 2008, and though her work was London-based she visited the capital Kabul and the Helmand Province town of Lashkar Gar.
Natasha’s Tristan sojourn is for five months. While here Natasha will be helping David with various projects, including development of a tourism strategy and website sales. Her previous experience in this sector will be extremely helpful. She will also be working on international legislation in the fields of human rights and public health.
Photograph left of Tasha from Cynthia Green
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Leo and Emeline take up residence
CTBTO Monitoring Station Manager Leo Genin and partner Emeline Dumouilla are pictured left outside their Gaetano Lodge (see Tristan Accommodation Page) home for the duration of their stay.
They arrived aboard SA Agulhas on 12th September and are expected to stay until the middle of 2009. Leo follows previous French managers Thierry Assef, Jean Du Boullay and Clement Mochet (see pictures and notes below). |
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Clement's Farewell Party
UN Monitoring Station Manager Clement Mochet was given a farewell buffet party at The Residency on Friday 20th June.
Left : Clement cutting his cake, which also marked his 24th Birthday, opposite him is Chief Islander Conrad Glass with other well-wishers looking on.
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David Morley reports that Clement has proved a popular figure on the island during his year on Tristan. He integrated well into the community and has added enormous value to life on Tristan by his willingness to help out in all sorts of areas (and weather). Clement gave valuable assistance to Ovenstone following the factory fire, and played an important part in helping to restore the island's power supply.
Left : Clement talking to Carlene Glass-Green with Joanne Green right. |
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Clement also designed the project for the installation of a renewable energy power source at St Mary's School. Clement departs with David Morley on the June / July Edinburgh voyage, and David hopes to meet with Clement in Cape Town to take this project forward.
Left : Anita and Maria on the bar, with barfly Nelson helping out |
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27th March 2008 - Five Just Men
There are currently five resident men 'Station' ex-pats ~ Admin. David Morley, Priest Chris Brown, Doctor Carel Van der Merwe, Factory Manager Erik McKenzie and UN monitoring station manager Clement Mochet.
Clement was looking rather smug on his way to work this morning Perhaps this follows the French football team's defeat of England in Paris last night? |
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All change for UN monitoring station
The period on the island is almost over for Jean Du Boullay, the French consultant managing the island station. He arrived in the settlement on 24 April 2006 . The new station manager, Clement Mochet, arrived with the Agulhas, and will stay until end of June 2008. Clement will be trained by his predecessor during the 3 week Agulhas stop-over. Aged 23, he has just finished his masters degree and considers this first position is a really unique experience.
Despite a cold and rainy winter, Jean has been really pleased to visit the Island and to meet the Tristan community. He used to say “If you haven’t been to Tristan, you have been nowhere!” As a sailor, Jean intends to come back on the island with his own sailing ship in
the next few years.
Image and story from Tristan Administrator David Morley |
Photograph shows
left Jean Du Boullay
and right Clement Mochet |
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Bon Voyage Thierry
Departing in June 2007 was Thierry Assef who worked as manager for the UN seismic station which monitors seismic activity, including earthquakes and nuclear tests. Thierry worked closely with Robin and Jerry Repetto and enjoyed his 9 months on the island. His photographs have appeared on tristandc.com and in the newsletter. Thierry reports that the islanders ‘..took really good care of me, sharing their best meat, fish and potatoes. I also had the real privilege to share their main events on the island, like fishing days, the break up day, sheep shearing, Queen's Day… even hunting bulls! |
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| Photographs show left, Thierry with a Yellowtail after a spot of successful beach fishing and above Thierry's photograph of the UN Seismic Monitoring Station 'golf balls' and other buildings which were his responsibility during his sojourn on the Tristan station. tristandc.com is very grateful to Thierry for many photographs received during his visit. |
