Out of This World: Mr Squiggle lands in Canberra

Posted on 15 December, 2020

For an insight into our longstanding obsession with all things extraterrestrial, you need only scroll through Netflix.

You’ll find a space-themed choice in virtually every category, from comedy to sci-fi, documentaries, drama, and animation.

Our fascination with space isn’t something new — the space age began way back in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into orbit. Not only did the launch spark the space race between the US and the Soviet Union, but it ignited worldwide interest in space exploration that more than 50 years later is yet to abate.

Out of This World is the latest exhibition at the National Archives of Australia, exploring Australia’s role in the space age and the way that it permeated our culture and captivated our imagination.

The exhibition includes the scientific elements of Australia’s contribution, from the establishment of the Woomera Rocket Range to the launch of Australia’s first satellite and, of course, the role of Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station and Parkes Radio Telescope in broadcasting man’s first steps on the moon.

But it also conveys the way that space impacted our culture: from design to architecture, music and television shows, like the beloved Mr Squiggle, who can be seen in the flesh within the National Archives.

“Mr Squiggle is one of my favourite parts of the exhibition,” says Exhibition Curator, Catriona Donnelly.

“I love seeing people come in and watching their reactions to Mr Squiggle. Depending on their age, people talk about whether he was in black and white or colour, or whether Miss Pat or Miss Jane was the presenter.”

This element of nostalgia, and the opportunity to introduce icons like Mr Squiggle to younger Australians is part of what captivates audiences.

“I think it’s a really lovely exhibition for intergenerational conversations. Hopefully, people will bring their grandchildren — children just love space and they’re so excited and open to learning.”

Lifelong Learning Program Coordinator, Tania Zora, has been leading the Preschool Storytime sessions and has developed a My Space Mission activity booklet designed for children as an additional way of interacting with the exhibition.

“This is about kids being able to take themselves on a tour of the exhibition or doing it as a family,” says Tania.

“There are little rockets to guide them on their way in the gallery; for example, looking at the space age toys and designing their own. When they finish, they can bring the booklet to our visitor services team at the front, and they’re given their own space rocket to build.”

Preschool Story time runs every Friday at 10am during the ACT school term and will be spaced themed until March 12. In the meantime, the holiday program runs from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm on 11-15 January and 18-22 January. Aimed at children 7-12 and their carers, the program includes a guided tour of the exhibition followed by a craft session where kids will make their own light-up UFOs before heading home with a goodie bag full of space-themed craft projects.

Of course, Out of This World isn’t just for kids. After a particularly stressful year, the exhibition provides a nostalgia-fueled escape and captures a contagious sense of optimism about the future and all that it holds.

If you’re one of the many who have recently reignited their interest in space, there’s a lot to learn about Australia’s role in this vital period of history.

“With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing last year, there’s been a renewed interest in it,” says Catriona.

“Especially in Canberra, because it is such local history. A lot of people are aware that Tidbinbilla is a working tracking station, and it’s one of three deep-space communication complexes around the world.”

While the exhibition includes space toys and children’s books, it also contains moon rock fragments gifted from former US President Richard Nixon, to patents from copyright records, as well as letters to parliament and inspiring stories of citizen scientists like Duan Phillips and his flying saucer. Intriguingly, it peels back the curtain on Woomera and the lives of the 5,000 people who lived there, as well as the impact that the rocket testing facility had on the local indigenous community.

The exhibition presents an opportunity to deep-dive on Australia’s role in space history and is adjacent to the National Archives Research Centre.

“You can go and talk to a reference officer about how to locate things in our collection. Any of those original records, you can arrange to view them yourself in the Research Centre” says Tania.

With two permanent galleries, the Research Centre and Cafe Constitution offering meals, coffee, and treats (insider tip: the caramel slice is to die for), you can really make a whole day exploring the National Archives of Australia.

Credit: Sammy Hawker.

For those interested in digging a little deeper, the National Archives In Conversation event on Thursday 11 February 2021 includes a discussion on the role of the Canberra region in space exploration, including Honeysuckle Creek and Mount Stromlo. Running from 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm, the panel includes Mike Dinn (Director of Honeysuckle Creek during the first Moon Landing in 1969), Dr Brad Tucker (Astrophysicist and Cosmologist, ANU) and Dr Erica Seccombe (ANU School of Visual Art and Design).

Keep an eye on the National Archives website for booking details.

Feature image: ‘Angels in Orbit’ fashion parade. Image supplied.