Illawarra Coal sponsors Science Centre theatre

Nov 28, 2005

BHP Billiton's Illawarra Coal has committed $75,000 to a three-year sponsorship of the University of Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium.

NSW Minister for Natural Resources, Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald officially launched the Illawarra Coal Science Theatre at the Science Centre today (28 November).

The Minister joined Illawarra Coal President Col Bloomfield, UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) Professor John Patterson and community and business leaders at a special ceremony to announce the sponsorship.

Welcoming the guests, Mr Bloomfield said the sponsorship of the Science Theatre at the Science Centre was worth $25,000 annually over three years and was a perfect fit for the company as it focused on community support and science.

“Science is the basis we use when we are working out where the coal is under the ground, then when we are planning how to extract it in the most environmentally and financially sound ways possible and again, years later, when we have finished mining and are ready to rehabilitate the mine sites,” he said.

The sponsorship precedes the company's support - set to total $50,000 - of a major exhibition on dinosaurs, fossils and coal to be mounted at the Science Centre in 2006.

The Science Centre and Planetarium attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year.

“Take a look around, and you can see why they come,” Mr Bloomfield said. ”Not only are they educated, but they are entertained as well. I don't remember science being so much fun when I was at school.”

Mr Macdonald paid tribute to Illawarra Coal for its support of the Science Centre, which he described as an important facility for the whole state.

“The more we can encourage young people to have an interest in and enjoyment of science the better,” the Minister said. “This facility is the only one of its kind in NSW and has an important role in making science accessible to the community - not just the Illawarra community but the whole of NSW.

“I am sure (this sponsorship) will be a great success given the importance of this facility.”

Professor Patterson thanked Illawarra Coal for its support, and acknowledged its contribution to the Illawarra economy and community.

Science Centre Director Glen Moore said Illawarra Coal's sponsorship of the Science Theatre and next year's exhibition was extremely important to the centre's core role of enthusing young people about science and technology.

“We are important to the future of Australia's technical skills, because we can enthuse the skilled technical people of the future,” he said. “We show young people that science can be fun and exciting, but it is also extremely relevant to industry and as career options.”

Illawarra Coal joins BlueScope Steel as a major industry sponsor of the Science Centre, The steelmaker sponsors the BlueScope Steel Planetarium. The IMB Foundation this year provided funding to support a hands-on children's workshop as part of the Science Centre's Stage 2 extensions which are now complete.