 |
2009
|
| April |
A 6 month exhibition will be opening at the South Australian Maritime Museum. The exhibition is a collaboration between that museum and the South Austrlian Museum and focuses on the quest for the South Magnetic Pole. There are plans to tour the exhibition nationally. The starting date has yet to be decided but the official opening wil be on 21 April and will involve some special activities - watch this space for details. |
Mooted but not yet confirmed
|
| To be advised |
A talk by Valerie Sitters who is based
at the State Library of SA and has been researching the life of Wilkins. |
| To be advised |
A short talk by Jim Jago on Mawson's first visit to the Flinders Ranges. |
| To be advised |
A Slide Show event featuring activities related to Mawson's Hut. |
Other Activities
|
| Ongoing |
We are preparing for publication of the Adelie Blizzard to mark the centenary of the AAE.
This unique manuscript was originally a monthly newsletter produced at Mawson's Huts during the expedition. Obviously such a project needs
funds and if you are able to make a donation to support this worthwile cause the FoM Committee
would be delighted to hear from you. |
Recent Events
|
| In September 2008 about 20 members and friends enjoyed a talk by Kristin Weidenbach the author of "Rock Star", the recently published biography of Reg Sprigg. Reg, one of Australia’s most remarkable geologists, was a student of Sir Douglas Mawson and for a number of years was closely associated with Mawson as a cadet within the Geology Department, University of Adelaide. He acted as Mawson’s field assistant in the Flinders Ranges on a number of occasions. Kristen pointed out that from an early age Reg was ‘mad keen’ on geology, and even when a schoolboy would bring specimens into the university for inspection by Mawson and Cecil Madigan, another Antarctic veteran. One of the specimens brought into Mawson was what Reg regarded as a fossil, from Sellicks Hill, and he was very disappointed when Mawson totally rejected the specimen as a fossil; he was even more disappointed when the specimen was lost. |
| Following the FoM AGM in April 2008 a group of around 30 members and friends
enjoyed a talk by Warwick Deacock OAM describing his attempts to climb Mawson's Peak, Big Ben (2745m) on
sub-Antarctic Heard Island; feeding on raw penguin on the way. In 1963 his team was the first to succeed. At 81 Warwick has lived a life of adventure, including:
Royal Marine, ex SAS, Founding Secretary of the Australian Conservation
Foundation, organiser of the first Australian Himalaya Expedition, former
Honorary Consul General for Nepal, attempted ascent of Annapurna 3,
established the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia. Warwick supported his talk with historic slides and movie footage. |
| In February 2008 we gathered in the Armoury and enjoyed a
talk by Dr Meredith Hooper, author of
'The Ferocious Summer' (following her appearance at the Perth Festival),
which explores dramatic changes in penguin populations on the Antarctic Peninsula, being a fascinating
micro study of the impact of climate change. We then retired to the Mawson Centre for refreshments and general conviviality. |
June 2007 saw the traditional FoM
Midwinter Event. Despite a cold night outside, warmth and
friendliness in The Royal Society Room, was the ideal setting for FoM's
Midwinter Event. The FoM committee and members welcomed the Mount Lofty
Historical Society to an evening highlighted by talks by Emma McEwin on her
soon-to-be-published book An Antarctic
Affair and Deb Lavis who talked about a film being produced by Deb's firm Ginger Gecko Production,
(deb.lavis@gingergecko.com.au). The film is about the Mawson family and is being
produced by Deb and Emma.
Following the talks and a lively
session of questions, guests viewed the Mawson Collection under
the able guidance of the Museum's Antarctic curator Mark Pharaoh. Then all present enjoyed some cheese, wine and pizza. |
