TALKING POINT
BUILDING A GATEWAY TO ANTARCTICA
THE Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum is not only one of Tasmania’s most successful attractions, it has been the catalyst for many activities celebrating our long connection to Antarctica. As with many organisations, we have our critics, but it is worth putting on the record the fantastic achievements we have delivered.
It should be understood that the Replica Museum is not the sole source of funding for the Mawson’s Hut Foundation. It generates additional revenue from avenues which include membership to the foundation, auctions, donations, merchandise, sponsorships and fundraising events which all not-for-profit charities stage. Funds are used to help cover the cost of the secretariat which consists the chairman and part-time assistant who looks after the accounts, administration and other associated costs.
Revenue from the Replica Museum is used for employment of up to six staff and contributes directly to the conservation and maintenance of Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison as it was always intended.
The museum also has a wonderful group of volunteers who are critical in making the day-to-day running, which makes it such a success.
Funds raised are also used for special projects such as the plaque on the unmarked grave in the Ballarat Cemetery of one of the men from Mawson’s 1911-14 expedition and a planned memorial to the two men who perished during the expedition. This is subject to Hobart City Council approval.
Contributions are made to the cost of education programs on Douglas Mawson, his men, his expedition and his legacy. This includes several documentaries which also promote Hobart as an Antarctic gateway, the publication of several books on Mawson, his men and his dogs, all of which are sold to assist with fundraising.
Most importantly, the Replica Museum funds or contributes to expeditions to Cape Denison and has done so since opening in December 2013. Since the foundation was established in 1997 it has raised more than $10 million in cash and in-kind support and from this has organised and funded 15 expeditions to the Cape Denison site.
Funds from the Replica Museum were spent this financial year in preparation for a three-man party to Antarctica. This had to be postponed after transport being provided by the French Antarctic Program became unavailable. These costs included engagement of a Hobart-based expedition manager who has been involved with all foundation expeditions. A further expedition is planned for 2020-21.
Funds and resources from both the museum and the foundation have also been used to not only promote the Replica Museum as a major tourist attraction for Hobart but the city’s Antarctic history and its position as a gateway to the Antarctic. It funded a video promoting Hobart following the very successful 2018 Australian Antarctic Festival.
Like many tourism ventures in Tasmania the Replica Museum struggles at times to break even during winter months but operates profitably during the summer period which enables it to fulfil its objectives in conserving the historic Cape Denison site.
The award-winning Replica Museum is rated by TripAdvisor as the No.1 museum in Hobart (Mona is not in the Hobart region) and recently received from the world’s largest travel platform a Certificate of Excellence for five successive years of being rated No.1. The Replica Museum is rated by TripAdvisor as No.6 of Things to Do in Hobart, no mean achievement for a not-forprofit charity with limited funds but a great credit to the wonderful knowledgeable staff and team of volunteers who take great pride in looking after nearly 30,000 visitors a year.
It is the most successful new tourism venture on the waterfront that Hobart has seen for many years and is considered a great asset to the city, attracting thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas. All help boost the city’s economy.
The foundation initiated the very successful biennial Australian Antarctic Festival which since the first event in 2016 has grown rapidly. Generously supported by Hobart City Council and Events Tasmania, it attracted 12,000 visitors in its first year. It also has the strong support of the Australian Antarctic Division, IMAS, TasPorts, Tasmanian Polar Network and other players in the Antarctic arena.
In 2018 the number of visitors rose to more than 21,000. For the third event in
July-August this year — which coincides with three international Antarctic conferences — visitor numbers are expected to exceed 30,000. It will include children from more than 50 schools from 20 countries which are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty. It has become a truly international school project in which about 250 schools from Tasmania and other states will take part.
This will result in attracting even more visitors from
mainland Australia spending their dollars in Hobart on accommodation, meals, sightseeing and exercising some retail therapy.
Also being funded by the foundation is the mobile Antarctic classroom. This
Toyota Coaster has been converted into a travelling Antarctic museum taking Antarctic to regional Australia.
Experienced lecturers talk to children about climate change and Australia’s role and work in the Antarctic. This mobile classroom is another foundation initiative as part of its growing educational program which could help attract young students to consider a career in Antarctic science.
We are proud of our contribution to Tasmania and our role in preserving and sharing Antarctica’s rich heritage.