Vinnies NT CEO Sleepout: Why Andy Warton is sleeping out in Antarctica

At the bottom of the world lives a 53-year-old Territorian who is braving the cold to raise money for homelessness. Find out how he’s going to do it.

At the bottom of the world, where daily temperatures often average anywhere from -10C on the coast to -60C in the highest parts of the interior, lives 53-year-old Andrew “Andy” Warton. Picture: Jack McLeod

At the bottom of the world, where daily temperatures often average anywhere from -10C on the coast to -60C in the highest parts of the interior, lives 53-year-old Andrew “Andy” Warton.

After serving as Commissioner of the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services for about seven months, Mr Warton in February embarked on a sabbatical to Antarctica, where he now leads a team of expeditioners at the Casey Research Station.

“I’ve adjusted well,” said Mr Warton. “But I’ve got to say, when the weather turns itself on and you get hit with a blizzard, it is more brutal than anything I’ve ever experienced anywhere in my life.”

“Imagine a Category 4 or 5 cyclone with negative temperatures; that’s what it’s like.”

Mr Warton said he was “always up for a challenge”. Picture: Jack McLeod

Despite the freezing temperatures, however, the station lead has again put himself up for another challenge.

Mr Warton on Thursday will take part in the Vinnies NT ‘CEO Sleepout’, an event that aims to raise funds for those experiencing homelessness across the Territory.

Each night more than 13,000 Territorians are left searching for a safe place to sleep, making the NT’s homeless population 12 times higher than the national average.

“You don’t have to look far to see the evidence of homelessness in the NT,” said Mr Warton.

It’s not the first time Mr Warton has taken part in the CEO Sleepout; in the past he has slept under the tropical Top End skies at East Point Reserve and the historic Fannie Bay Gaol.

“I’ve done the Sleepout as the owner of a small business, I’ve done it as the NT Emergency Services chief officer, I’ve done it as the commissioner, and now I’m doing it as a station leader in Antarctica,” he said.

Mr Warton said he would place a Northern Territory flag, signed by former chief minister Shane Stone, outside of the Casey Station on Territory Day. Picture: Jack McLeod

With this set to be his most complicated challenge yet, Mr Warton hopes it can send a strong message to Territorians.

“It’s going to be tough, but that’s nothing compared to the ongoing daily challenges that those who are homeless in the NT experience,” he said.

“This is a one night challenge, but there are being out there that are facing challenges and facing pain on a daily basis.

“This is a way to send the message.”

Although sleeping arrangements would be determined on short-notice because of the unpredictable weather, Mr Warton said there were “plenty of options on the table” – such as a bivouac, nicknamed a “chip packet”; a polar tent; or an igloo.

“But at the end of the day, the decision maker in this one is Mother Nature,” he said.

To support Mr Warton and help him fundraise, click here: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/andrew

Originally published as Vinnies NT CEO Sleepout: Why Andy Warton is sleeping out in Antarctica