Mawson Lakes
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29 April 2009
Mawson Lakes celebrates life of legendary explorer with free festival
Mawson Lakes will journey back in time to celebrate the life and adventures of one of Australia’s greatest explorers, Sir Douglas Mawson, at a free community festival this month.
Running from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May, the celebrations will feature readings of Mawson’s inspirations writings, a film evening that retraces his gruelling expeditions in Antarctica, hear stories from people who played a role in restoring the famous relics, and enjoy high tea with Mawson’s great grand-daughter as she recounts tales from her visit to Mawson’s Hut.
Mawson Lakes Project Director Vince Rigter said the name, Mawson Lakes, was chosen to honour the great explorer and reflect his continued quest for knowledge and commitment to life-long education.
“Sir Douglas Mawson is recognised primarily for his extensive work exploring and studying Antarctica. He managed to survive wind gusts nearing 300km/h and severe frost bite to his fingers and toes to secure 40% of Antarctic territory for Australia during his legendary expedition between 1912 and 1914,” he said.
“It is this research, enterprise and capacity for human endeavour that symbolises the spirit behind the planning and development of the Mawson Lakes community, as well as The Mawson Centre.”
Celebrating its fourth birthday, The Mawson Centre opened in May 2005 and is a state of the art, innovative learning, cultural and community hub for Mawson Lakes. The building is home to a public library, a computer barn/internet station, a 250-seat theatre, courtyard, plazas, mini conference facilities, various teaching, meeting and exhibition spaces and a café.
MAY MAWSON CELEBRATION EVENTS:
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Mon, 4 May
7pm - 9.30pm | Bathybia & Rock Star | Valerie Sitters reads Mawson‘s polar dreamworld fantasy piece. Kristin Weidenbach shares the life story of one of Mawson’s students, modern day adventurer Reg Sprigg.
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Tues, 5 May
7.30pm - 9.30pm | Film Night - Mawson Life & Death In Antarctica | Watch as Tim Jarvis retraces Mawson’s gruelling experience. A dramatic contemporary adventure with chilling reconstructions and footage from the original expedition.
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Wed, 6 May
7pm - 9.30pm | On The Couch | Listen to stories from Casey Station workers, chat to Dr Ross Vining about the 1984 private expedition Project Blizzard.
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Fri, 8 May
4.30pm - 6.30pm | High Tea With Emma McEwin great
grand-daughter of Sir Douglas Mawson | Enjoy a high tea with Emma as she recounts her visit to Mawson’s Hut. $20 per person. Donations will also be accepted for Go Red for Women (Heart Foundation) as part of Heart Week 2009 www.heartfoundation.org.au |
All events are hosted at The Mawson Centre, which is located at 2 - 8 Main Street, Mawson Lakes. For more information on the May Mawson Celebrations, please contact Annie Payne at The Mawson Centre on 08 8302 5449 or apayne@salisbury.sa.gov.au. Bookings are required for all events.
Mawson Lakes is being developed by Delfin Lend Lease and Land Management Corporation, and will eventually house approximately 10,000 people in 4,000 homes with 7,500 workers and 7,000 students. Delfin Lend Lease is Australia’s leading urban developer with more than 20 trading projects across the country.
For more information, interviews or images contact:
Matthew Hart / Liz Christiansen, BBS, 07 3221 6711media
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