The Mount Stromlo Observatory in Weston Creek has been recognised as a site of international engineering significance with the unveiling of a heritage marker on site.
The recognition, bestowed by the association of engineers, Engineers Australia, is part of the organisation’s Engineering Heritage Recognition Program which was established in 1984 to help preserve the nation’s engineering heritage and to raise community awareness of engineering and the benefits it provides.
The organisation said there were now 230 sites recognised nationally under the program.
It said that in 2017 it approached the Australian National University (ANU) seeking support for the observatory’s nomination.
Director of the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Matthew Colless welcomed the recognition on behalf of Mount Stromlo’s engineering and technical staff.
“They are often the unsung heroes of astronomy,” Professor Colless said.
“I’d like to acknowledge the great significance of the achievements of our engineers, technicians and instrument makers.”
Director of the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre (AITC) at ANU, Anna Moore said the site had come a long way since the devastating 2003 bushfires that destroyed equipment and offices as well as mechanical, electrical and optical workshops.
“The recovery effort has led to a new direction for Mount Stromlo,” Professor Moore said.
“We now have the AITC and the Precision Engineering Centre — state-of-the-art facilities which enable Stromlo to contribute to engineering and astronomical projects all over the world.”
