As a 21 year old, my husband Neil and I, along with my brother Duncan, flew around the world from Scotland to NZ on 26- 28th November 1979. Our Air NZ DC10 arrived from Los Angeles at around 6.30 am on morning of 28th November 1979. After a delay in disembarking while we were all sprayed before entering NZ, we finally made our way wearily through immigration. As we queued in  a glass tunnel we saw a flight crew & then passengers making their way to Flight TE 901. My brother, husband and I were arguing about the destination of the flight as it seemed improbable to us that an airliner of people would be going to Antarctica. How little we thought as we watched the happy smiling faces heading out to their flight, that tragically before long disaster would befall them all. Our entire 3 weeks in NZ were dominated by the desperate tragedy in Antarctica. 
Strangely the story of Arthur Allan Thomas was in the news just before we left NZ in Dec 79. If I remember correctly, he had just received a Royal pardon.
Both stories have continued to interest me for the last 35/36 years. Just recently I re- read Verdict on Erebus by Peter Mahon and have just finished Daughters of Erebus by Paul Holmes. Fascinating and sad reading. 
It is still amazing to think that we were among the last people on earth to see the passengers and crew alive, on that glorious morning 28th November 1979. We will never forget them.