- McGowan Government provides almost $1 million to Perth Observatory
- A new Aboriginal Astronomy Centre to be created at the Bickley facility
- Funding will also improve disability access and amenities at the facility
Science Minister Dave Kelly today presented a $958,890 Lotterywest grant to the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group in Bickley, which will go towards a living museum of science and technology projects.
The Perth Observatory is Western Australia's oldest observatory serving WA for more than 120 years and remains actively involved in the service of public education through Day Tours for schools and Night Sky Tours for the public.
Almost $1 million in funding will be provided over three years by the McGowan Government, through Lotterywest, to the facility for improvements to disability access, restoration of artefacts, improved amenities and the creation of an Aboriginal Astronomy Centre (Skyworld).
Artefacts such as historical clocks and instruments and paper-based records (documents and photographs) as well as a significant collection of astronomical glass plates will be restored and preserved.
Informative outdoor signage, redevelopment of the museum, and design and installation of interpretative signage within the historical Astrograph Telescope domes will also be undertaken.
