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Four trips to Antarctica has given Dubbo carpenter Mark Gallagher a wealth of stories to share about life on "one of the last frontiers".
Employed to do general construction and maintenance of existing buildings, Mr Gallagher also came face-to-face with "staggering scenery and birdlife" not seen by many.
His stories and photos of penguins, seals, icebergs and a frozen landscape prompted plenty of questions when he was guest speaker at a Rotary Club of Dubbo West meeting recently.
The most recent of Mr Gallagher's four trips to Antarctica was in 2011-2012.
The memorable experiences for the carpenter employed by Dubbo Terrazzo and Concrete Industries began when he answered an advertisement in a newspaper.
The first trip led to a great interest in the continent and a desire to return, which he was able to realise.
"It's an amazing place," he said.
"It's fantastic, one of the last frontiers.
"It certainly has an attraction - lots of people do multiple trips."
Mr Gallagher told the Rotarians of the challenges the cold weather posed to his work and of the different lifestyle.
In 2011, he spent time at the Casey base, one of four permanent research stations maintained by the Australian Antarctic Division.
He said it was important to get on with other people when in the close quarters together for months at a time.
"You're living in each other's pockets - you need to be tolerant," he said.
"Most people there are like-minded and you have a lot in common with them."