Although women have journeyed to Antarctica since the late 19th century, it was not until the 1980s that they wintered there in an official capacity as doctors, scientists, technicians and in a range of other professions.

Elizabeth Chipman

Elizabeth Chipman worked for the Antarctic Division of the Department of Science in Melbourne between 1954 and 1977, where she had a varied career as a typist, information officer and scientific administrator. She visited Macquarie Island with the Australian Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) during summers of 1966-1967, 1971-1972, and 1975-1976. She was the first woman member of the ANARE Club and one of the first Australian women to set foot on the Antarctic mainland. She is the author of two books: Australians in the frozen south (1978) and Women on ice (1986). The National Library of Australia holds her manuscript papers in MS 9635 Papers of Elizabeth Chipman, 1956-1998.

The Chipman collection in the Academy Library comprises papers relating to Chipman's career with the Australian Antarctic Division and the research for her books Australians in the frozen south (1978) and Women on ice (1986). They include photographs, transparencies, diaries; edited typescripts of her two novels, correspondence, reviews, questionnaires, newspaper cuttings and card index.

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Elizabeth Chipman is in the process of donating approximately 570 items relating to polar exploration and research to the Academy Library, UNSW@ADFA.

Chipman formed the collection from the 1960s to 2003, and the majority of the collection post-dates 1960. Some of the books are inscribed to her and most books contain a small bookplate.

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The collection comprises histories, narratives, biographies, memoirs, works on natural history, geology and exploration, novels and poetry including writing for children; anthologies, dictionaries and encyclopaedias; reports, serials, scientific reprints; calendars, maps, plans and posters, all relating especially to the Artic and particularly Antarctica exploration and research, with a special interest in the contribution made by women.

UNSW@ADFA Women in Antarctica

In March 2006 'The National Science Foundation' presented Dr Robin Robertson with the 'Antarctica Service Medal of the United States of America' for 'Service in Antarctica'. Robin has kindly allowed the Academy Library to display both her Certificate and Medal as part of the Women in Antarctica and the Sub Antarctic Islands showcase.     

Australian Women in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands

Until the late 1950s, women were not allowed to travel to Antarctica. Finally four women got permission to go to Macquarie Island in December 1959 (Isobel, Dr Mary Gillham, Susan Ingham and Hope Macpherson). It was to be a five-day trip but because of bad weather it lasted for 15 days over Christmas. The team leader was "reasonable" and let the women stay ashore overnight. Working conditions were very difficult on their second trip because the conservative leader would not let the women sleep on shore.
Source of Reference: Dr Isobel Bennett, AO
An oral history interview by Diana Wyndham

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Only Russia had preceded Australia in including women scientists in its research programme in The Far South. Women were part of the ANARE summer programme at Macquarie Island during almost every season following the 1859-60 one. It was not until 1976 , however that a woman was included in the wintering party there and in summer visits to Antarctic continental stations.

Four women were part of the ANARE summer program at Macquarie Island during 1959-60, including:
Isobel Bennett marine biologist
Mary E. Gillham, botanist
Susan E. Ingham, biological secretary
J. Hope Macpherson, intertidal ecologist