Diane Erceg

I grew up in Perth, Western Australia, blaring my saxophone and patrolling our driveway on my rollerblades. I read encyclopaedias for fun and danced kolo, a folk dance from my parent’s homeland, Croatia.

My lifelong love for the ocean led me to a degree in marine science. In my second year of university, a tutor slipped me a copy of the Antarctic Treaty. She had a hunch it might interest me.

Since that fateful day, I’ve travelled to Antarctica and the Arctic 60 times, worked for the Australian Antarctic Division, written a PhD thesis on the history of Antarctic tourism, and become chief rapporteur of annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings.

Antarctica has been one constant in my life. Perpetual movement has been another. For a decade, I lived on ships or out of a suitcase, keeping my baggage light while amassing a mountain of intangible gifts. Also, the nickname Skitalo (Wanderer), courtesy of my dad.

I continue to travel and work in Antarctic affairs. But these days I pour most of my time and energy into writing my first book, a memoir based on my travel experiences. It’s proving to be a giant adventure in itself, one I hope you’ll join me for.