SPACE LAUNCH FROM YARRALUMLA

18 May 2006

A team of Australian Scouts and Guides will compete in the International Space Olympics for the first time later year with a little help tomorrow (Thurs 18/May) from The Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery.

Teams from at least 26 countries including Russia, USA, and the UK will gather in Moscow in October for the 13th staging of the annual competition for young people aged from 14 to 18. The events are: mathematics, physics and computer science and a space related project.

Competitors will visit Russia’s Space Mission Control Centre and speak directly to cosmonauts on the International Space Station. The competition aims to stimulate youth to develop their critical and creative thinking skills and to increase their knowledge of science and space exploration.

To help prepare the Australian team of 15 Venturer Scouts and Guides, a specialist from the European Space Agency, Mrs Anne Brumfitt will be invested into Scouts Australia in a short ceremony by the Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery to take up the role of Space Education Coach.

Also attending the investiture will be NASA representative Neal Newman; Mrs. Lynne Price, Chief Commissioner, Guides Australia; Peter Blatch OAM for the Chief Commissioner Scouts Australia. and 17-year old Catherine Barter, a year 11 student at Tintern Girls Grammar.

“The Space Olympics gives me the challenge and opportunity to achieve a personal best in mathematics and science. I never dreamt I would have the honour of representing Australia in maths and science.” Catherine said.

The Australian team will prepare for the ISO at the new $6.4m Victorian Space Science Education Centre, in Strathmore Victoria. “The Victorian Space Science Education Centre is to space science what the Australian Institute of Sport is to athletics.” according to Team Leader, Assoc Prof Lachlan Thompson from RMIT.

Anne Brumfitt will also take a leading role for Australia Scouts in the First International Space Camp for Scouts and Guides at Tidbinbilla ACT in 2007.