In Memorium
The Trust sends sincere condolences to the families of Robyn Brunton, Dr E I Robertson, and Arthur Brown.
Robyn Brunton © AHT
Robyn Brunton
Former Trust staff member Robyn Brunton passed away in November 2022. Robyn joined the Trust as Finance Manager in 2006 and was a loyal, high performing and diligent staff member throughout a time of significant growth in the Trust’s history.
Robyn was universally respected by Trust supporters, donors, funders, the Board and staff over 15 years of dedicated service. Her contribution to the Trust was tremendous and she is greatly missed.
Dr Eddie Robertson and Peter Macdonald (IGY) carrying out magnetic survey measurements near Scott Base in 1957. © WJP Macdonald
Dr E I Robertson OBE CBE FRSNZ
Dr E I Robertson (Eddie) passed away in October 2022 at the age of 103. Eddie was one of the most influential persons in New Zealand science from 1951 to 1980. He was appointed the first Director of the Geophysics Division, DSIR. When the International Geophysical Year (IGY) 1957‑58 was proposed, Eddie was appointed to the Royal Society of New Zealand’s National IGY Committee and led the development and implementation of the New Zealand IGY research programme.
He was also a member of the Ross Sea Committee for the New Zealand Transantarctic Expedition (TAE)to ensure that the new base being built by the New Zealand government also supported the IGY expedition requirements adequately. Eddie also chaired the Ross Dependency Research Committee, led the New Zealand National Committee for Antarctic Research, and represented New Zealand at meetings of Antarctic Treaty Consultative Member Countries. Mt Robertson just south of Hallett Bay is named for him.
Arthur Brown
The Trust recognises the passing of Arthur (Art) Brown in November 2022, aged 87 years. Art was the former National Science Foundation representative in New Zealand and dedicated nearly five decades of polar logistics and operations to both the Arctic and Antarctic. From 1990-2018 he worked out of Christchurch to manage the US Antarctic Program’s involvement in New Zealand.
