9 May
2006 - The historic site where renowned Antarctic
explorer Sir Douglas Mawson set up camp in 1912
will receive a funding boost of $320,000 for important
conservation work.
The grant will be provided in
2005-06 to further the work of the Mawson's Huts
Foundation. The Foundation was established in
1995 with the aim of raising funds to preserve,
restore and repair the huts at Cape Denison in
the far eastern part of the Australian Antarctic
Territory. The grant to the Mawson's Huts Foundation
will allow important on-going conservation work
to continue at Cape Denison in the coming summer.
Mawson's Huts are of national
and international heritage significance, listed
as a National Heritage and Commonwealth Heritage
site. They are also recognised internationally
as an Historic Site and an Antarctic Specially
Protected Area under the Antarctic Treaty.
This is the only site representing
Australian accomplishments during the 'heroic
era' in Antarctica, the first two decades of the
20th Century, when great advances were made in
geographic and scientific knowledge. The huts
were built and occupied by the Australasian Antarctic
Expedition of 1911-14 led by Sir Douglas Mawson.
The Australian Antarctic Division
manages the Mawson's Huts site. It works closely
with the Mawson's Huts Foundation which has received
two previous Australian Government grants for
conservation work and raising awareness of the
site.
Why is this important?
Mawson's Huts are of national and international
heritage significance - they are listed as a National
Heritage and Commonwealth Heritage site. They
are also listed internationally as a Historic
Site under the provisions of the Madrid Protocol,
which provides for comprehensive protection of
Antarctica - the last great wilderness on earth.
It is the only site representing Australian
accomplishments during the 'heroic era' in Antarctica
with the huts built and occupied by the Australasian
Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14 led by Sir Douglas
Mawson.
Who will benefit?
Conservation of Mawson's Huts will benefit the
entire community, as well as future generations.
What funding is the Government committing to the
initiative?
The Australian Government is committing $320,000
to be provided in 2005-06.
What have we done in the past?
The Australian Antarctic Division is responsible
for managing the Mawson's Huts site and works
closely with the Mawson's Huts Foundation on its
conservation. The AAD develops and implements
conservation works plans and provides assistance
to the Foundation in cash and kind, such as loans
of materials and equipment and logistical support.
The Australian Government made two direct grants
of $250,000 to the Mawson's Huts Foundation, in
1997 and 1998, a total of $500,000.
The Australian Government's Australian Antarctic
Division provided $60,000 from its own appropriation
in 2001-2002. The AAD mounted an expedition in
2002 supported by approximately $460,000 in cash.
In addition, the AAD estimates that since 1997,
$1 million has been spent on activities directly
related to the conservation of the site.
When will the initiative conclude?
While the Australian Antarctic Division will
continue to work closely with the Mawson's Huts
Foundation, the current grant will cover the cost
of the upcoming conservation work in the 2006-07
season and some work over subsequent seasons.
