T. rex on Tour in NSW... What's in a Name?
The Australian Museum and Stockland partner to tour a 'life-size' Tyrannosaurus rex model to five major NSW centres... and give the public the chance to name her.
Monday 27 February 2017, Sydney: The Australian Museum and Stockland have teamed up to take a life-size Tyrannosaurus rex model 11 metres long and three metres tall on the road, visiting five Stockland shopping centres across greater Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and the mid-north coast in 2017.
Shoppers from as far afield as Forster, Glendale, Shellharbour and Wetherill Park will be able to see the world’s first anatomically correct model of a T. rex when the exclusive tour kicks off at Stockland Wetherill Park on Monday 27 February 2017.
Generously donated to the Australian Museum (AM) by National Geographic, the model vividly shows what made a T. rex tick with an up close look at its vital organs – including a giant heart. Visitors will also be able to enter a competition to name the dinosaur.
“Dinosaurs are a perennial favourite of museum audiences, so we’re excited to work with Stockland to give people outside Sydney the chance to see this prehistoric beast dating from 85 to 65 million years ago, as never before,” Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO, Australian Museum, said.
Stockland Group Executive and CEO of Commercial Property, John Schroder, agrees that dinosaurs have an enduring appeal for people of all ages: “We’re pleased to work with the Australian Museum to explore the public’s fascination with dinosaurs, by touring this extraordinary T. rex across NSW.”
At Stockland we always look for ways to bring unique, fun and educational entertainment offerings to our customers – we know T.Rex on Tour will be a favourite for young and old alike,” he said.
The AM’s T. rex on Tour, presented by Stockland with support from National Geographic and IAS Fine Art Logistics, will land at Stockland Wetherill Park on Monday 27 February before making its way to Stockland centres in Shellharbour, Forster and Glendale.
Visitors to each location will also have the opportunity to enter a competition to name the life-size model of the female T. rex. The best entry will win a ‘Dino-Dig’ holiday to Alberta, Canada, valued at $10,000.
Originally built for the National Geographic documentary T. rex Autopsy, the model was donated by National Geographic to the AM last year, and is so large that in its complete form it is unable to fit through the museum’s doors.
After the T. rex completes its tour, the AM’s exhibitions team will disassemble the model and install it in the dinosaur gallery at the AM’s William Street location as part of the annual Dinosaur Festival in October.
“This year is our 190th anniversary, a major milestone marking our role as the nation’s first museum, so touring a life-size T. rex is a perfect gift to share with the people of New South Wales,” McKay said.
In addition to partnering with Stockland to present the travelling T. rex exhibit, the AM has been fortunate to receive support from IAS, a specialist freight company which will help transport the model more than 900 kilometres across the state – a feat in itself.
National Geographic have also contributed footage from the original documentary, which will be shown along with the T. rex display at each location.
Combined with the original gift of the model from National Geographic, along with additional funds from an anonymous philanthropist, the T. rex model and tour represents a donation of more than $1 million dollars in cash and in-kind to the Australian Museum.
T. rex model vital stats:
- 3 metres tall
- 11 metres long
- 2 metre wide
- Weighing 2 tonnes
Australian Museum’s 190th Anniversary
In 2017, the Australian Museum (AM) celebrates 190 years, marking its significant role as the nation’s first museum. In the lead up to its bicentenary, the AM is embarking on major transformation plans to secure its place as the leading natural science and culture museum in the region.
As part of the 190th celebrations, the AM invites everyone to spend their birthday with us for free.
Australian Museum’s T. rex on Tour presented by Stockland
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MEDIA CONTACT
Claire Vince, Media Advisor, Australian Museum
P 02 9320 6181 M 61 468 726 910
claire.vince@austmus.gov.au
