Faulkner Court offers accommodation will provide housing for a growing number of astronomy students.
New accommodation facilities, officially opened today at Mt Stromlo, will provide much-needed housing for the growing number of students keen to carry out research at the ANU observatory. Director of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Mt Stromlo, Professor Harvey Butcher, said Faulkner Court replaced an old building on the same site that was known as the Bachelors' Quarters. 'The old buildings formed a small residential enclave around where the new building stands, but like most of the stand-alone cottages up here including the Bachelor's Quarters, they were destroyed in the 2003 bushfires,? he said. 'We are hopeful that Faulkner Court and its occupants will help restore some of Stromlo community spirit.' Modelled on shipping containers, the individual units were constructed from manufactured steel frames in Brisbane, then shipped to Mt Stromlo and bolted together. Professor Butcher said there were four studio apartments and six one bedroom units, one of which has special access facilities. 'The new building has great facilities. It is functional as well as being an attractive addition to the Mt Stromlo architecture and the natural environment,' he said. 'We currently have five long-term residents, and a varying number of short-term occupants who come and go, bringing extra life and enthusiasm for astronomy and astrophysics to the site.' Professor Butcher said the new facility was named after the late Don Faulkner, former director, astronomer and writer of Stromlo - an Australian Observatory . 'Don Faulkner's contribution to various aspects of Mt Stromlo has been extremely valuable and it is fitting that the new lodging should be named in his memory,?
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