Unique and Unspoilt is based on the journals of John Bechervaise during his 13 months as officer in charge of an Australian scientific base on Heard Island. His journals document the beauty of the isolated island, the tyranny of its harsh climate, and the daily struggle of the handful of men-far from their families and loved ones-charged with running a scientific base. Bechervaise’s recorded observations of Heard Island’s fascinating fauna and limited flora, the nuances of the changing seasons, and his weather-beaten attempts to scale its volcanic peak, leave us with a remarkable picture of a bleak yet beautiful Antarctic island. The plate section provides unique glimpses of this little-known and rarely-visited island, and its 1953 occupants.

Join historian Bernadette Hince and Fred Elliot, who worked with john Bechervaise on Heard Island, to launch Unique & Unspoilt on Wednesday 23rd March, 6pm in the foyer of the National Library of Australia.

Bookings: 02 6262 1424 or [email protected]