Previous Updates

UPDATE FOR JUNE 2008

Dear POAC Members,

It's time for another update on how things are progressing. And I have some more excellent news. We've held meetings with Andrew Barr MLA, and Ivan Slavich, CEO of TransACT to secure seed funding to allow us to engage engineering services. We figure this is an important first step toward relocating the facility, as it allows us to determine what can and can't be moved, how much it will cost to relocate the equipment, and how much a new facility will cost on Mt Stromlo. We also hope to be able to have an architect draw up some plans, to assist us in selling the project to potential major sponsors. TransACT were the first to offer support, with the proviso that the ACT Government match their contribution as a sign of their commitment, which they gladly agreed to. TransACT have also kindly offered their engineering staff to assist in the technical assessment.

Yesterday, Prof. Butcher, Grant Nicholson (POAC Committee member) and I met with Andrew Reeves, adviser to Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to let him know what we're trying to achieve. He considers this project falls within Julia Gillard's education portfolio more so than Science, so I'm in the process of teeing up a meeting with Julia Gillard's staff.

The fundraising sub-committee will begin approaching potential corporate sponsors in earnest once we have the engineering assessment, and a clear indication of the cost to relocate to Mt Stromlo. If you'd like to lend a hand to put together sponsorship packs and the like, by all means contact the secretary Michael Nelmes on info@poac.org.au

We still hope to have one last public planetarium viewing session, once we get the go ahead from the Tradies Club. Members of parliament (ACT and Federal) will be invited, along with the press so that an official announcement can be made by the ANU. POAC members will naturally be invited so you can take part in what we consider to be a significant milestone.

Exciting times ahead. With your continued support I'm confident we'll achieve our aim.

Craig Collins
President
Planetarium and Observatory Association of Canberra