By Tyler Wright
At this year’s AVALON 2023 Australian International Air Show, Mount Burnett Observatory (MBO) volunteers will be presenting for the second time in its 50-year history.
Open to the public from Friday 3 March to Sunday 5 March at the Avalon Airport, the show draws 600 plus industry and defence representatives and tourists alike to Geelong with companies showcasing their products, services and technologies to an international audience.
The airshow also involves a three day spectacular of public flying displays and static aircraft to view up close.
MBO volunteers will be on hand at the Victorian Government Pavilion Stand 2G19 with a telescope and slide presentation ready to answer questions from those interested in a career in spac and science, or those learning about astronomy for fun.
“It’s very exciting to be part of something that is so big and that has such a huge presence in Melbourne,” MBO events coordinator Kim Steere said.
“It will be great to spread the word about Mount Burnett Observatory.”
With around 500 members from across the state, interstate and across the globe, Ms Steere said some MBO members have gone on to find jobs in space engineering, science journalism as well as research.
“We’d like to introduce more people to astronomy and show them that you don’t have to be an expert to join somewhere like Mount Burnett,” she said.
“When I joined I didn’t know anything about astronomy and they were really happy to share their knowledge and develop the skills of everyone that’s there.
“I learned so much without realising it because it’s so much fun.”
In July last year, MBO was the only Dandenong Ranges venue that took part in Melbourne’s Open House in 2022; a weekend where visitors explore the city’s historic and significant buildings.
“That was huge. Tickets sold out really quickly and got people from all across Melbourne visiting the hills because they wanted to see the observatory,” Ms Steere said.
Members nights are held every second Saturday at MBO.
Ms Steere was “thrilled” to learn how to use a telescope after joining in 2019.
“I can find the jewel box in the Southern Cross,” she said.
“It’s a social thing as well, because one of the hazards of astronomy is that it’s cloudy and it rains and you can’t see anything.
“We have the log cabin up there, and we just hang around drinking coffee, eating cake, and chatting while we’re waiting for the clouds to clear.”
MBO is located at 420 Paternoster Road in Mount Burnett.
For more information, visit https://mbo.org.au/
