Gravity Discovery Centre buoyed by funding, Gardiner
Author: Philip Gardiner
Published on: 01-July-2010
Hon Philip Gardiner MLC, Member for the Agricultural Region, has welcomed this week’s announcement by the Minister for Science and Innovation, Hon Bill Marmion MLA, of further funding for the Gravity Discovery Centre (GDC).
The Minister announced on Tuesday that interim funding of $178,000 would be made available to the GDC while the Department of Commerce commissions an independent report that will examine areas for operational improvement. It is also expected to identify potential funding sources to secure the Centre’s long-term future.
Importantly, the interim funding allowed a partnership of the GDC, the University of Western Australia and the Polly Farmer Foundation to yesterday formally accept a $1 million grant from the Commonwealth. The grant will help the organisations to measure the effectiveness of science enrichment programs in changing students’ attitudes to science and technology.
The partnership also aims to provide Government with tangible evidence that investment in similar programs is indeed valuable and should continue in the face of a worrying international trend against science occupations.
“The GDC is one of a diversity of science enrichment centres across Australia and is the most efficient, involving students in real astronomical research,” Mr Gardiner said.
Located near Gingin, the GDC is a world class physics and astronomy facility and is the public face of the Australian International Gravitational Observatory (AIGO) that conducts leading scientific research. A lack of funding looked certain to see the Centre close its doors permanently which would have severely jeopardised a $200m project with the American Gravitational Wave Observatory.
“The US Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO, had previously proposed moving one of their wave detectors to Gingin but without some assurance of the Centre’s future, this lucrative investment would not be possible,” Mr Gardiner said.
“In just a few years since its opening dedicated volunteers have worked hard to increase the Centre’s profile and worth to the community, equipping the facility with telescopes, exhibits, art, astrophotography and, impressively, a timeline of the universe.”
In addition, the GDC is an employer or more than 20 people and a popular tourist attraction for the Gingin shire, drawing close to 20,000 visitors in 2009.
“I’m delighted that the Minister has recognised the enormous value of the GDC to both our state and the science industry worldwide and look forward to continuing to work with the staff to ensure the Centre’s viable future,” Mr Gardiner concluded.
