Antarctic Christmas

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31563, 28 December 1967, Page 3

Antarctic Christmas

Mass celebrated by a visiting Roman Catholic priest, church services, and the traditional Christmas Day feast were among the major Christmas activities of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Feature film showings were held throughout the day, games of football were held, a Rugby match was played at nearby Scott Base, and the occasion was marked by several parties. Church activities were a major part of the celebrations. Services for Roman Catholics and Protestants were conducted by the station chaplain and Father W. F. Spillane, of Christchurch. A choir sang traditional Christmas carols.

The Christmas Day programme included a banquet comprising appetisers, assorted salads, entrees, roast turkey, roast beef, vegetables of many kinds, and a large assortment of desserts and drinks. Parties at the various clubs at the station went on until early morning.

All of the 855 men at the , station were treated to two - full length film showings t during the day. They then - took part in sporting activi- > ties, everyone from the com- > manding officer (Captain H. 1 A. Kelley) down joining in. f Football games were held r in the streets, and at Scott r Base the annual North versus i South Rugby match was held, 1 the South winning 12-0. Many of the men from McMurdo i Station watched the game - played on the bay ice near i the station. s Christmas night was taken i up with men talking by ham . radio with relatives in the i United States. A total of 540 - phone patches was made.