Western Australia Minister for Science Dave Kelly

$1 Million Grant To Create Living Museum At Perth Observatory

Victor P Taffa

• McGowan Government provides almost $1 Million to Perth Observatory
• A new Aboriginal Astronomy Centre to be created at the Bickley facility
• Funding will also improve disability access and amenities at the facility

Minister for Science Dave Kelly today presented a $958,890 Lotterywest grant to the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group in Bickley, which will go towards a living museum of science and technology projects.

“This grant, provided by the McGowan Government through Lotterywest, will ensure for many more years the Observatory can continue to inspire the public and young minds.” Minister for Science Dave Kelly said.

“I’m particularly excited to announce that this funding will go towards the creation of an Aboriginal Astronomy Centre, which will celebrate 60,000 years of Noongar astronomical knowledge.”

Perth Observatory is Western Australia’s oldest observatory serving Western Australia for more than 120 years and remains actively involved in the service of public education through Day Tours for schools and Night Sky Tours for the public.

Almost $1 Million in funding will be provided over 3 years by the McGowan Government, through Lotterywest, to the facility for improvements to disability access, restoration of artefacts, improved amenities and the creation of an Aboriginal Astronomy Centre (Skyworld).

Artefacts such as historical clocks and instruments and paper-based records (documents and photographs) as well as a significant collection of astronomical glass plates will be restored and preserved.

“I am thrilled that the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group has received a substantial grant from the McGowan Government through Lotterywest.” Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes said.

“People of Western Australia are indebted to the volunteers. Without this commitment the active life of the observatory would have ceased.”

Informative outdoor signage, redevelopment of the museum, and design and installation of interpretative signage within the historical Astrograph Telescope domes will also be undertaken.