Robert Dovers was an Antarctic explorer and surveyor, who was was second-in-charge of the first Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) at Heard Island 1947-1948.
The following year he spent with the ANARE at Macquarie Island surveying the land before joining the Third French Antarctic Expedition in 1951 as Australian observer when Port Martin base burned down. He and a party of seven stayed in temporary huts at Adelie Land for 14 months where he worked as surveyor, cartographer and huskie trainer for the team.
He was appointed Officer in Charge and surveyor for the first Australian wintering party that established the new base at Mawson. Mawson Station still operates today. During his time there, Robert discovered the Prince Charles Mountain Range.
In 1957 Robert authored ‘Huskies’, a study of the behaviour and psychology of the famous sledge dogs. Sir Douglas Mawson, who served with Robert’s father, George Harris Sarjeant Dovers, on Mawson’s Antarctic Expedition in 1911, wrote in a foreword to the book that it is a ‘valuable reord of the habits and temperament of these animals’.
Robert was awarded the Polar Medal for his service as Australian observer with the French Antarctic Expedition, and in 1956 was awarded a clasp to the Polar Medal for services with ANARE to Mawson 1954-1955.
Shellharbour City Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Dharawal Country and recognises their continued connection to the land.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the contribution they make to the life of this City.