Antarctica Day party goes online

HOBART’S unique connection with Antarctica will be recognised in a special online festival this week.

Antarctica Day is around the corner and will be celebrated with an online live event wrapping presentations, live discussions, Q& A forums and quizzes into one hour.

A short documentary from an Antarctic Youth Coalition King George Island research station expedition will also premiere on the day.

The momentous day marks the anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty officiated on December 1, 1959.

Hobart’s Antarctic Youth ambassador Chloe Power helped create the online festival with support from the Youth Coalition international members and the City of Hobart.

The marine and Antarctic science master’s graduate described the icy continent as “the world’s biggest natural science laboratory”.

“I just want people to feel a sense of connection to Antarctica and for Hobartians to feel like they’re custodians of this very icy continent,” Ms Power said.

Hobart’s tight link to Antarctica is due in part to being one of five Antarctica Gateway Cities alongside Christchurch in New Zealand, Cape Town in South Africa, Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said Antarctica related to locals’ sense of identity, offered employment opportunities and was worth an estimated $ 186 million to the Tasmanian economy.

To register for the festival to be held on Tuesday, visit hobartcity. com. au/ Antarctica Day or for additional resources visit antarctic- cities. org