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Ronald Walter BALHAM

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T17:03:10+00:00
Biologist Dr Ron Balham led the first Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition in January 1958 as part of the TAE/IGY expedition of 1957/58.
Spouses nameHelen BALHAM
Siblings, , , ,
ChildrenDavid BALHAM, Diana BALHAM, , ,
Places of relevanceAntarctica, , , ,
Last known residence104 Kahu Road, Paremata.
Educational achievementsMaster of Science in Zoology (V.U.W.)
OccupationDr. Ronald Balham, Zoology Dept., V.U.W
Place of deathWellington.

The TAE (Trans-Antarctic Expedition) and IGY (International Geophysical Year) are used together, they are in fact, two independent events that occurred at the same time.

The TAE – also known as the British Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (BCTAE) – aimed to complete the first overland crossing of the Antarctic Continent – a frigid 3600 km journey from the Weddell Sea, via the South Pole, to McMurdo Sound. It was timed to capitalise on the global interest already generated by the IPY programme of 1957-58.

SCOTT BASE

Scott Base – New Zealand’s permanent station in Antarctica – was officially opened on January 20, 1957. It was originally designed for only a short life – as the Ross Island base for the British Trans-Antarctic Expedition (TAE). Scott Base was also used for science activities associated with International Geophysical Year (IGY) between 1 July 1957 and 31 December 1958. However, it wasn’t long before the value of Antarctic research – beyond the IGY – was recognised and Scott Base has supported New Zealand’s scientific endeavours in the Antarctic ever since.

Source: http://www.scottbase50years.co.nz/history/scott/info.htm retrieved on 12/06/2007.

LAKE VANDA STATION

Lake Vanda Station in the Wright Dry Valley was the site of a small New Zealand research base from 1968 to 1995.

Biologist Dr Ron Balham who led the first Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition in January 1958, aroused initial New Zealand interest in the Dry Valleys area. By the 1960’s America, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and Russia were all working collaboratively in the region.

A base was required to support the ongoing scientific endeavours. In May 1967 the Ross Dependency Research Committee recommended that New Zealand establish a wintering over station at Lake Vanda.

Source: http://www.scottbase50years.co.nz/history/vanda/info.htm retrieved on 12/06/2007

THESIS

Some ecological studies on the waterfowl in the Manawatu district; New Zealand : a thesis submitted to Victoria University College in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology / Ronald Walter Balham. 1949. (Copy held by VUW library).