focusinterview.
Kevin Gallagher (President) and Jim Daniels (Life Member and past President) from The Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Inc (PMAA) are excited about the future of not only our local observatory in Rotary Park, but also about having Port Macquarie known as a recognised centre for science …
hare a brief history of the observatory as it stands now in Rotary Park … It all started in the 1950s, when the owner of the Royal Hotel, Mr Bob Stanfield, encouraged people to drop their small change into a container at the bar. A middy of beer was 10 pence (8 cents) at the time, and the two pence (2 cents) change out of a shilling (12 pence or 10 cents) built ‘Tuppeny Road’ at Flynns Beach. In continuing the collection after the road was built, Bob Stanfield was able to purchase a telescope for the then Hastings District Hospital’s aged care residents to look out to sea and the stars. Albert York, a retired master builder and architect, had attempted to build an observatory on the top of a building in Joffre Street, but was opposed by a neighbour. The Council enquired into the matter and among those on the committee of inquiry were some Rotarians. They became interested in the idea of an observatory in Port Macquarie, and Albert York was asked to address a local meeting of Rotarians. As a result of the speech, Dr McLaren suggested that Albert York inspect the 5 inch telescope that was then lying in disuse at the Hastings District Hospital.
Port Macquarie
Astronomical Association Inc
education and discovery through an environment for learning, interaction, and co-operation, for visitors and the wider community … hearing children (and adults) saying, “WOW” does it for me, when they see the rings of Saturn or the Great Nebula in Orion for the first time. One of our objectives is to facilitate the continuing development of the tourism potential of our association in the Port Macquarie Hastings region. But my personal aim as President is responsibility for making sure our volunteers are made to feel as though they have a belonging and are part of our proud history. There are plans in the pipeline to hopefully construct a new Science Education Centre to replace your building at some point in the future. What is the current standing of these plans? As part of the Foreshores Master Plan, our building is down for refurbishment. We are planning to take that to a whole new level that would see a Science Education Centre built to replace our building. These plans are moving slowly and there will be many, many steps to climb along the way.
The Rotary Clubs made the construction an official project and the observatory was built during 1961/62, and the 5 inch telescope was installed in the building.
Explain the competition that’s been running since August this year, which has involved students from quite a few local schools coming up with a design for the proposed new Centre ... The competition was set up for two main reasons: to tap into our under-utilised young, creative minds and promote community awareness of our concept. The students had a design brief to follow: Seating for 150 people; include a Planetarium/ Audio/Visual presentation area. House a large telescope, in a rotating dome. Eco-friendly complex.
Albert York was the first president of PMAA and held this position until retiring in 1983. The following year, Albert York passed away at the ripe old age of 94.
Include examples of educational ‘hands on’ displays for all aspects of science education that involve families, not just in the building but around the park.
What are the current objectives and responsibilities of the PMAA? Our main responsibility is to provide Astronomy and science related
Now that the competition has closed, what will happen to the entries? The Port Macquarie Library has been very supportive of our idea and
Albert York was asked to draw up plans for an observatory. Council approved the plans and land was set aside in Rotary Park for the observatory.
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during January will be displaying the school entries for us. We have a professional judging panel that will judge on 3 criteria. Most original design concept. Functionality of the design. Most creative examples of ‘hands on’ displays.
now, that’s a major positive. We have ideas, concepts, and the passion for a facility that will have benefits for so many in our community, not just for the short term but way into the future … informing generations to come of our total reliance on science for our standard of living.
The winners will be announced in week 2 of term We average over 3 thousand visitors each year one 2014, and the student(s) will be awarded from all around Australia and the world their prizes of first $1,000, second imagine how many more visitors we $500 and third $250 at our would have in a new centre. observatory building on Rotary r The PMAA is a not-for Park on Sunday 9 February Keeping it not fo profit organisation. profit and run by ed at 1pm. This will start with tes the ne How can community volunteers nega model, so a BBQ at noon. s members help support to have a busines ld We are hopeful that good wou ultimately how the committee – and re nt Ce e some of the ideas it be if the Scienc hips to whom should interrs la ho sc from all the entries could offer ruggling st ested people contact ts en ud st 12 Year can be developed into ience if they’re interested in to uni to study sc t ge to a new building that is aj or becoming involved? The … now, that’s a m truly ‘Home Grown’, being positive.” fundamental question is: who finally designed and built by will pay for this new building? local professionals, through the We have a number of strategies Development Application process. to look at for raising the capital and as What’s the ultimate dream or goal for quoted by our Mayor when the competition the PMAA? Our ultimate dream is to keep was launched in August, we are looking for a doing for the next 50 years what we have ‘hand up’, not a ‘hand out’. That hand up could been doing for the past 50 years, but with more start with creating closer community involvement, emphasis on science awareness through interacencouraging people who are passionate about tive displays, awesome audio visuals and inspirascience to get involved, ultimately becoming a tional ‘touchy feely’ hands on displays. strong collective force. The possibility of this concept becoming a science This is all about ‘telling a story; the more people precinct is really down to ‘community will’… is who tell the story, the more chance it will have of there a need! We believe there is, and there is becoming a reality for Port Macquarie. no doubt that the new building will be a place On behalf of our association with FOCUS – for visiting lecturers invited by ourselves, local thanks for giving us a ‘hand up’. If your readschools and universities, drawing people from all ers would like to know more about our plans or around the area … yes, more access for commuwant to get involved, please contact us on 0403 nity groups to use this facility. 683 394 or email pmobs50@gmail.com Keeping it not for profit and run by volunteers Remember: check out the displays in the Library negates the need to have a business model, so during this month … cheers. ultimately how good would it be if the Science Thanks gentlemen. Centre could offer scholarships to Year 12 stuInterview by Jo Atkins. dents struggling to get to uni to study science …
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