- Appointment of new Board Chair and Executive Director at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.
- ICRAR uses new generation telescopes to uncover the secrets of space
- State Government has provided more than $70 million to ICRAR to help boost science and technology in WA
The Cook Government has welcomed the appointment of a new Board Chair and a new Executive Director to lead the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).
Science Minister Stephen Dawson said Dr David Skellern AO had been appointed as the new ICRAR Board Chair, with Professor Simon Eillingsen taking on the role of Executive Director.
Dr Skellern has held several leadership roles in recent years and has extensive experience in radioastronomy.
The company Radiata was co-founded by Dr Skellern to revolutionise high-speed wireless communication, in collaboration with the CSIRO.
Professor Eillingsen holds a PhD in Astrophysics and recently served as Dean of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Tasmania. He has contributed to nearly 200 publications and served on several committees and advisory groups related to Astronomy and Space.
ICRAR is one of the largest radio astronomy research centres in the world and is an equal joint venture between Curtin University and the University of Western Australia with funding support from the State Government.
ICRAR was originally established to support WA's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world's largest radio telescope, and has evolved into an internationally renowned, multi-disciplinary research centre for science, engineering and data intensive astronomy.
Activation of the telescope took another significant step forward last week with the first of more than 130,000 antennas being installed on the SKA, located in the State's Mid West.
The SKA will help answer fundamental questions about the universe, including the nature of dark matter and the origins of the first stars and galaxies.
As stated by Science Minister Stephen Dawson:
"It is an exciting time to live in Western Australia as we turn our attention to the stars for exploration and information.
"The Cook Government is keen to pursue more opportunities to make WA a global hub for technology, innovation and investment in space.
"Construction of the SKA telescope is now underway and we watched with interest the success of the recent lunar mission along with our partners at Fugro who operate the space and robotics centre here in Perth.
"Both of these new appointments to ICRAR with Dr David Skellern and Professor Simon Eillingsen will open new doors and new opportunities for ICRAR and WA.
"Thank you to the Acting Chair and Executive Director Jacqui Coombes and Professor Lister Staveley-Smith for their leadership over the past 20 months."
