How a stowaway became the first Australian woman in Antarctica

Artist Nel Law made history after she was smuggled aboard the Magga Dan, and captured her adventure in watercolours and oils.

Nel Law and the Magga Dan, photographed by her husband, Phillip Law, on Chick Island in Antarctica in 1961. Picture: Australian Antarctic Division.

Artist Nel Law became the first Australian woman to set foot on Antarctica in 1961 after she was smuggled on board the supply ship Magga Dan.

It was a thrilling adventure for a woman best known until then for cooking up Antarctic feasts of marinated penguin breasts and seal livers for her famous husband’s notable guests.

The story is told in our new episode of the free In Black and White podcast on Australia’s forgotten characters, with author Rachael Mead:

Mead’s research on Nel Law’s extraordinary life inspired her new novel, The Art of Breaking Ice.

Nel met Phillip Law when they were both studying at Melbourne University and they wed in 1941.

In 1948, Phil Law made his first expedition with ANARE, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions, now the Australian Antarctic Division.

Rachael Mead, author of The Art of Breaking Ice.

The Art of Breaking Ice is a novel based on the life of Nel Law.

“By 1949, he was the director of ANARE,” Mead says. “They clearly recognised him as a man of immense talent.”

At the time, women – including scientists – were forbidden from visiting Antarctica.

For 16 years, Phil Law was away on expeditions for about five months each year.

Nel and Phillip Law in 1954. Photo: Australian Antarctic Division.

When he was home in Melbourne, Nel Law took on the role of stylish hostess, entertaining her husband’s guests including visiting dignitaries and scientists with spectacular feasts.

“So she’s marinating penguin breasts in red wine and cooking up seal livers like lambs’ fry and these sorts of things, but really only being able to experience Antarctica from such a distance and through the eyes of her husband,” Mead says.

Nel Law in 1961, the year she became the first Australian woman to set foot in Antarctica. Photo: Australian Antarctic Division.

The couple hatched a plan to smuggle her aboard an Antarctic expedition in 1961.

Someone tipped off the press after Nel was spotted shopping for winter woollies in Melbourne during a summer heatwave, and the plan nearly came undone.

But the Laws got permission of sorts when Senator John Gorton, the future prime minister, agreed to bend the rules.

Nel Law at Aviation Islands in Antarctica in 1961, photographed by her husband, Phillip Law. Photo: Australian Antarctic Division.

Senator Gorton was touring the ship before departure, and Phil Law took his chance.

“Phil explained the situation, how Nel had been left behind for the previous 11 summer seasons, and all he wanted was for her to go along and understand what it was that took him away from her for so many months of the year, every year,” Mead says.

“And thankfully … Senator Gorton … and his wife took pity on her and said, ‘OK, if anyone asks, yep, you went through the right channels, and I gave you official permission.’”

One of Nel Law's many paintings of Antarctica. Picture: Australian Antarctic Division.

Nel relished her historic voyage, painting more than 100 oils and watercolours of the stunning landscapes, which later fuelled public interest in Australia’s Antarctic expeditions.

To find out more, listen to the interview in the free In Black and White podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or web.

See In Black & White in the Herald Sun newspaper every Friday for more stories and photos from Victoria’s past.