The iconic Shine Dome, beloved home of the Australian Academy of Science, celebrates its 50th birthday this year. The Academy will host its annual open day on Thursday 1 October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and will be a special one for this special year.
The day will feature tours of the Dome by three local architects; talks by two of Australia’s top scientists, Professor Jenny Graves and Professor Neville Fletcher; a talk by the author of the Shine Dome’s 50th anniversary book, Dr Alan Roberts; children’s entertainment by a member of Questacon’s Excited Particles; footage of the Dome’s construction; rare scientific artefacts; a sausage sizzle; balloons and activities for the kids; free stuff and more!! See the program below for times.
The heritage listed Dome was built to house the Australian Academy of Science with construction beginning in 1958 and finishing in April 1959. The building was officially opened on 6 May 1959 by the then Governor-General, Field Marshal Sir William Slim.
The Dome provides a home for Australian science and scientific excellence and thanks to the visionary design of Sir Roy Grounds and his firm Grounds, Romberg and Boyd, it still serves the Academy just as well as it did 50 years ago. Its unique design reflects Australian innovation and spirit and is fitting for an organisation that represents Australia’s top scientists.
A book is currently being compiled on the Dome’s history by Dr Alan Roberts, and will be launched and available for sale later in the year. If you wish to be notified when the Shine Dome 50th anniversary book is available for purchase, please send an email to: pm@science.org.au.
We hope you can come on the day to see and hear about the Shine Dome and Australian Science in this 50th anniversary year.
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