Mandurah residents and visitors will have the opportunity to take a unique trip back in time and follow the steps of famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in a new display at the Mandurah Community Museum.
The panel display, Shackleton: Escape from Antarctica, will officially open on August 3 and will feature first-hand accounts of the 1914-17 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition and dramatic images by their official photographer Frank Hurley.
Mr Shackleton set out in August 1914 with a bold plan to be the first to cross Antarctica’s vast interior.
His strategy was to have two parties working from opposite sides of the continent.
He would lead the Weddell Sea crossing party while a second Ross Sea supply party would lay critical rations ahead of him.
However, both ships were ultimately lost, one crushed and the other wrenched away by the ice.
Mr Shackleton’s party never touched the continent they hoped to cross, and the other party marooned on it, desperately sledging across hundreds of kilometres of ice to lay depots for the other party which never came.
Through the eyes of modern-day adventurer Tim Jarvis AM, who re-enacted parts of the journey, and biologist and Mr Shackleton’s fellow Mel Mackenzie, the display follows the harrowing experiences of both parties and asks visitors to think about their reaction and decisions.
Mandurah mayor Marina Vergone said she was excited for Mandurah to host and honour Mr Shackleton’s survival story.
“I’m delighted that Mandurah will be a part of this remarkable story being showcased by the Australian National Maritime Museum,” she said.
“The story of Shackleton’s heroic voyage is an educational eye-opener for all members of the Mandurah community.
“I strongly encourage all members to visit the Mandurah Community Museum during the time this exhibit is displayed in Mandurah.”
There are five Shackleton panel exhibitions which will tour nationally, visiting over 80 venues in the next three years.
Shackleton: Escape from Antarctica will be on display at the Mandurah Community Museum from August 3 to 31.
Entry is free.
For more information go to mandurah.wa.gov.au.