Celebrating the legacy of Mawson's polar exploration

Friday, 31 January 2014

A series of events starting on 11 February will celebrate the life of the legendary University of Adelaide geologist Sir Douglas Mawson and mark the centenary of the return to South Australia of his Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Mawson was a lecturer, then Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, at the University of Adelaide between 1905 and 1952.

His epic Australasian Antarctic "Aurora" Expedition made him one of Australia's national heroes and, together with his other Antarctic expeditions, left an enormous scientific legacy and helped cement Australian claims to a large slice of Antarctica.

On 26 February 1914, the Aurora Expedition returned to South Australia to much fanfare.

One hundred years later, the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with the South Australian Museum, will re-examine the Aurora Expedition with a day-long symposium on Wednesday 26 February, 9am - 6pm, in the Mawson Laboratories, University of Adelaide.

Speakers at the Aurora Expedition Symposium include controversial historian David Day; author and University of Adelaide graduate Meredith Hooper (2014 Australian of the Year in the UK), modern scientist and explorer Professor Chris Turney (leader of the 2013-2014 Australasian Antarctic Expedition which became icebound) and descendants of Sir Douglas Mawson and colleague Cecil Thomas Madigan. Registration and further information at www.adelaide.edu.au/aurora/

Other University of Adelaide Mawson centenary events are:

Tuesday 11 February: Mawson in the Mirror. A Research Tuesday free forum at 5.30 pm in The Braggs at the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus celebrating the qualities and achievements of Mawson. Speakers include Mark Pharaoh, Senior Collection Manager at the South Australian Museum, and Emma McEwin, Mawson's great granddaughter and author. Registration and further information at adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdays/

Monday 24 February: A Tour of the Tate Museum, 11am, Mawson Laboratories, University of Adelaide. A free 30-minute tour to view the Antarctic specimens collected during the polar expeditions and held at the University. Meet in front of Elder Hall. Please register with art.heritage@adelaide.edu.au or 8313 3086.

18 February - 11 April: Sir Douglas Mawson and the University of Adelaide. A free exhibition in the Rare Books and Special Collections, Level 1, Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide, during normal Barr Smith Library opening hours. Further information from 8313 3086.

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