Member for Barker Tony Pasin is working with local schools to put together a compelling case to name Australia’s new Icebreaker, “The John Riddoch Rymill”.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr Pasin said the Government is investing $1.9billion to design, build and operated the icebreaker over a 30 year period. This is the biggest single investment in the history of Australia’s Antarctic program.

A competition that gives local students across the country the chance to win a trip to Antarctica is currently open and three schools in Penola have been working together to see that Antarctic explorer John Riddoch Rymill’s legacy lives on through the new icebreaker.

The ‘Name our Icebreaker’ competition will see up to 12 students fly to Antarctica for a day and become the first children to set foot on the continent under the Australian Antarctic Division program.

Penola High School, Penola Primary School and Mary Mackillop Memorial School are working together with Member for Barker Tony Pasin to submit entries (from each school).

“The competition is an opportunity to inspire the Antarctic scientists and policy makers of the future, engaging them to learn about the Antarctic environment, climate, history and Australia’s role there.

Entries in the ‘Name our Icebreaker’ competition will be judged by a panel of Antarctic experts on criteria including originality, creativity, sincerity, appropriateness and alignment with the values, objectives and activities of the Australian Antarctic Program.

Construction of Australia’s new icebreaker started last month with the first pieces of steel cut for the 160 metre vessel.

The icebreaker will be more than 156 metres long and accommodate 116 expeditioners.  It will be equipped with an array of cutting-edge scientific equipment including a moon pool, multi-beam bathymetric echo sounders, hydrophones and underwater cameras.

For more information, visit: http://classroom.antarctica.gov.au/icebreaker

 

Contact: Charlotte Edmunds – 8531 2466