Australian Antarctic Division director Kim Ellis announces retirement

The director of the Australian Antarctic Division has announced his retirement, saying the last four years have been “some of the most challenging” in the agency’s history.

Australian Antarctic Division boss Kim Ellis has announced his retirement after having led the agency for “some of the most challenging” years in its history.

Mr Ellis was appointed director in 2019 for a five-year term, which was set to expire in February 2024.

He broke the news of his retirement in an email to Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) staff last week.

“The last four years have been some of the most challenging for the division; a global pandemic, the end of service for the Aurora Australis, the introduction of new contingent shipping and the Nuyina, two machinery of government changes, a new direction for science and operations, and the major changes created by the sustainable funding review and its implementation,” he wrote.

Kim Ellis, Director, Australian Antarctic Division. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Ellis, whose 45-year association with Antarctica and the Southern Ocean began when he was specialising in amphibious operations with the Australian Army, said he was particularly proud of the progress that had been made in achieving the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan.

“To support all of this you have had to adapt to significant cultural changes as we transition from an expedition to a world-leading program; in our safety approach; our diversity, equity and inclusion; our personal qualities; and our alcohol and drug management,” he said.

“None of this has been easy and there is still much more to do. I am very grateful for the resilience and adaptability I have seen in so many of our people.”

Mr Ellis’s retirement comes after he commissioned a report into the workplace culture at the AAD which ultimately found that “everyday sexism” was a problem within the agency, including inappropriate jokes and disrespectful treatment of women.

Australian Antarctic Division at Kingston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In his message to staff, he appears to make reference to the cultural upheaval planned for the division in the wake of the report.

“There is still much more change to come and I urge you to look after each other, support your leaders and engage with the process,” he said.

Community and Public Sector Union Tasmanian regional secretary Zac Batchelor said Mr Ellis had led the division during a “difficult time”.

“You’ve had Covid, where people were down in the Antarctic for long periods of time and now you’ve got … the report into some of the behaviour down there and there’s another report coming out with some recommendations in February,” he said.

“Kim’s done his bit, it’s great and it might be a good opportunity for a fresh face.”

The search for Mr Ellis’s successor will begin soon.