Tomorrow, Saturday 23 November, marks the 25th anniversary of Questacon – Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre.
Questacon is Australia’s first and largest interactive science centre, and has welcomed over 9 million visitors through its doors since opening in 1988.
Questacon Director, Professor Graham Durant said, “Tomorrow we’re kicking off a year of celebrations with a public birthday party, and everyone’s welcome.
“Visitors can participate in a water rocket race or be blown away by a 25 hydrogen balloon salute. We’ll be making ice-cream making with liquid nitrogen and even exploding our own birthday cake,” said Professor Durant.
Questacon is a multi-award winning tourist attraction featuring eight galleries with over 200 interactive exhibits. It was opened on 23 November 1988 as a joint Australia-Japan Bicentennial Project. Japan contributed half the $19.64m construction cost as a gift to Australia.
Questacon also delivers outreach programs, travelling exhibitions and digital videoconference sessions that reach into schools and communities nationwide.
“Over 26 million people have interacted with our programs and exhibitions, and we’ve delivered over 100 million hours of inspiring science experiences. We’ve reached into remote Australian outback towns and large cities in Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.
“We’re very proud of our achievements in our first 25 years, but our job of inspiring tomorrow’s scientists is as important as ever to ensure Australia keeps moving forward,” said Professor Durant.
“We’ll also continue to support the development and growth of science centres throughout the Asia-Pacific region by sharing our knowledge, skills and experience.” said Professor Durant.
“We’re looking forward to the next 25 years being as big and bright as the first.”
Media contact:
Annie Harris, Senior Communications Advisor – Media, phone: 0439 399 912
Birthday event programme is available at www.questacon.edu.au
