br pAustralian expeditioners in Antarctica took a dip in freezing waters on Thursday, June 21, to celebrate the winter solstice, when the days started to become longer.ppCasey Station leader Rebecca Casey saida midwinter day had been celebrated since the time of the earliest explorers, including Sir Douglas Mawson.ppWith outside temperatures around -22 degrees Celsius and water temperature around -2 degrees Celsius, a “mad tradition” of a feast, exchange of handmade gifts, midwinter play and messages from home would be held with the participation of scientists from Australia’s three Antarctic research stations and sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.ppThere are currently 75 expeditioners living in Antarctica as part of the Australian Antarctic Program.