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'POOLROOM' SEARCH FOR DOME SOUVENIRS
5 May 2000

Michael Caton, who starred as Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle, is asking everyone to search for souvenirs of the Australian Academy of Science Dome that they might have picked up long ago on school trips or holidays.

'We are encouraging people across Australia to donate to the Academy those marvellously kitsch ashtrays, place mats, fridge magnets, egg cups, trays and beer mugs from the 60s and 70s that feature an image of the Dome – the sort that Darryl Kerrigan would have proudly displayed in his poolroom' said Caton.

Caton launched the souvenir search on May 5 at the Dome, which is known affectionately by Canberrans as 'the Martian Embassy' or 'the Igloo'. Built in 1959, the Dome is a Canberra landmark. It is heritage listed and is about to undergo conservation and renovation with a grant from the Centenary of Federation and a donation from Professor John Shine.

The Academy's search for souvenirs of the Dome will continue throughout 2000. The souvenirs will first be on display from 6 April to 27 May 2001 at the Canberra Museum and Gallery for the ACT Heritage Festival and the Australian Science Festival. They will then be shown on a rotating basis within the Dome.

'The story of the Dome's construction is fascinating', said Caton. 'The engineers had to build and test a 1/40th scale model just to be sure the building would stay up. The copper dome is larger than St Paul's in London and St Peter's in Rome.'

The President of the Academy, Professor Brian Anderson, said that the souvenir search was being held to draw public attention to the Dome's scientific and architectural importance to Australia. 'We are seeking funds to renovate the Dome', said Professor Anderson. 'We have had two major donations totalling $1.5 million, but we still need an additional $900,000 to upgrade the theatre and complete the landscaping.'

More about the Dome and the souvenir hunt is on the Academy's website at http://www.science.org.au/dome. Souvenirs should be sent to Dome Souvenir Search, GPO Box 783, Canberra ACT 2601. All souvenir donors will be acknowledged on the Dome website.