The News Ngarlbugala 2023

Welcome to the Summer edition of The News!

As we wrap up a very busy year (aren’t they all!), this one certainly stands out as the year construction began on the SKA-Low telescope by the SKAO at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. This is the result of decades of work and there are decades of work in front of us still. Never a dull moment out on Wajarri Country.

You may have noticed this edition is called Ngarlbugala (Summer) as we use more Wajarri language in our everyday activities. Ngarlbugala is when we see the Birruwa, or WA Christmas Tree, in full bloom along the highways. Fantastic bursts of orange colour are a sure sign that the holidays are coming. Please travel safe, as the roads are very busy this time of year, and I’m sure there is good food and good company at the end of your journey.

I hope you were able to join in on the Christmas Tree at the Settlement last weekend, I heard it was a great time. Sorry I couldn't join this year, hope to see you at the next one.

Enjoy our last edition of The News for the year, it is full of well wishes from all of those groups connected to the observatory. There’s the excitement of continued progress in construction, more science with ASKAP, and new international partners for MWA. There’s a moment of reflection for a year well spent from the Australian SKA Office and the SKA-Low team. There's a year ahead of new opportunities and challenges to overcome, particularly from AusSRC and Pawsey as they create solutions to manage the huge amounts of data coming from the telescopes on site.

Have a wonderful holiday season, with a happy New Year and a barndi Grijimiji (happy Christmas).

Until 2024,

Bec