Stuart McFadzean (OH 1991)

After graduating from Haileybury, Stuart McFadzean (OH 1991) joined the Army and served for 10 years, specialising as a Parachute Rigger and Air Dispatch Officer. The Army introduced him to a range of diverse outdoor pursuits including adventure racing to Africa, sailing in the Pacific and on several climbing expeditions to New Zealand and Nepal. Many of these pursuits he still enjoys today!

During Stuart’s last posting, he met his partner Melinda and they moved to Hobart in search of adventure and a more exciting lifestyle. According to Stuart, “there’s so much fun stuff to do in Tassie and within a short drive from your door, there is incredible wilderness, mountains, beaches, and rivers”. They have built a beautiful home to European passive house standards which they are very proud of.

Stuart then joined the Australian Antarctic Division to work on a project to introduce fixed winged aircraft. One highlight was building Australia’s Wilkins Runway, the first ice runway to ever receive civil certifications. At the time, he viewed this as an exciting side project, a diversion from a more conventional career that he was sure he’d be drawn into. He didn’t realise Antarctic operations would become his career and passion!

Stuart passionately believes that tourism, when done well, is essential for the ongoing protection of Antarctica. This is his 10th year with White Desert Antarctica where he leads operations. He brings both tourists and scientists in to experience Antarctica with the aim of ensuring the continent is valued, understood, and protected. They do so with a far lighter footprint than government programs and he is delighted that they have pioneered many techniques to minimise our environmental impact.

Recently, Stuart was fortunate to return to formal study completing the General Management Program at Harvard. “Learning is a lifelong passion that began at Haileybury, and it was a great opportunity to test myself and keep abreast of global trends while living in Tassie”, he commented.

Thanks for staying connected, Stuart!