In brief
Sandy Duthie's journey from Aberdeenshire to Gabo Island fulfills his lifelong dream of preserving the historic lighthouse in a stunning natural setting.
Sandy Duthie, a 42-year-old from Kirkton of Durris, Aberdeenshire, has landed his "dream job" as a lighthouse keeper on Gabo Island, off the coast of Victoria, Australia. The opportunity arose when the previous keeper retired after 25 years. Sandy, who initially visited Australia five years ago with his partner, Brodie Gaudion, fell in love with the island and its environment during a two-week visit for weed control.Now, he spends half the year on the island, rotating monthly with another keeper, surrounded by a thriving wildlife community, including penguins and whales. The historic Gabo lighthouse, built over 160 years ago, has become Sandy's new home.Sandy's role involves diverse tasks from weather observations to maintenance, all while living with uncertainty due to changing weather conditions. Although he sometimes feels isolated, he appreciates the solitude and the allure of the natural landscape. The strong Scottish heritage on the island, including historical connections to Scottish stonemasons, adds to the meaningfulness of his work, making it a perfect fit for Sandy.
