At a glance:
- The Australian Antarctic Festival begins on Wednesday to celebrate the connection between Antarctica and Hobart.
- The City of Hobart has provided $60,000 to support the festival through its Event Partnership Grant.
- Hobart is home to the highest concentration of Antarctic and marine scientists in the world.
The City of Hobart’s close relationship with Antarctica continues to bring benefits to the city, both economically and intellectually.
While Hobart’s title of the gateway to Antarctica helps reap the state $160m a year and employs more than 950 people, there is also a strong connection to the city’s soul, with many people in Hobart having a deep interest in our icy neighbour. The City of Hobart is a significant sponsor of the festival, providing $60,000 through its Event Partnership Grant.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said this funding demonstrated the City’s desire to promote the relationship between Hobart and the Antarctic.
“Hobart has always had a fascination with the Antarctic,” Cr Reynolds said.
“This deep connection brings so much to the City in terms of economic stimulus but also in intellectual stimulus.
“Hobart is home to the highest concentration of Antarctic and marine scientists in the world, and these jobs in public service Antarctic organisations pay almost double the Tasmanian average wage.
“But this festival is a chance to highlight and celebrate Antarctic life and its strong, historic links with Hobart.”
This Wednesday the festival begins with a series of exhibitions from both Australia and overseas, including open days, school excursions, entertainment and much more while bringing the Antarctic to Hobart.
It is a fascinating look at the work being done in the coldest, highest, driest and windiest place on earth.
Festival goers will have the chance to meet the expeditioners and scientists, the tradespeople and the chefs, the communications experts and the technicians who support Australia’s leading role in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean – despite working in -40C.
Best of all, admission to almost all festival events are completely free to the public.
Mawson’s Huts Foundation chief executive and board member, and festival producer, Greg Carter thanked the City of Hobart for its ongoing support.
“We are grateful for the support given to the festival by all levels of government,” Mr Carter said.
“The City of Hobart has a well-publicised policy to celebrate and promote the cultural and economic significance of the Antarctic sector – a goal shared by the Australian Antarctic Festival.
“Another key objective for us is to celebrate international cooperation in all Antarctic-related matters and the five global gateway cities project in which Hobart was a partner and contributor, is indicative of the cooperation we value so highly.”
The Australian Antarctic Festival rounds out Hobart’s month of scientific celebration, following on from the Beaker Street Festival and the Festival of Bright Ideas.
The Australian Antarctic Festival runs from Wednesday, August 24, to Sunday, August 28, in various locations around Hobart.
