International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend
20 & 21 AUGUST 2011
Each year in August, many hundreds of lighthouse and radio enthusiasts promote the public awareness of lighthouses and lightships throughout the world, and at the same time to promote amateur radio to foster International goodwill.
The event is co-ordinated through the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend website which is currently showing an entry list of 355 sites worldide. Of these Australia has the biggest entry for any one country with 59 lighthouse sites being 'activated'. To activate a site means that radio enthusiasts will be on site, communicating with as many of the other sites as possible.
In addition to the amatuer radio activities, a number of Lighthouses will be open over the weekend, with special activities. Some will open specially just for the weekend, so it offers the chance to visit a lighthouse that is normally closed for access. The following are some of the activities:
For a full list of the lighthouse involved see the ILLW website.
Cape Leeuwin (WA) and Cape Naturaliste (WA)
Both these lighthouse are teaming up to promote the weekend on the Saturday 20th. Our main events will occur from approx. 2pm until 7pm that evening. We are going to call the event ‘Illuminate’ and spotlight the towers at 7pm (from the landward side so as not to interfere with the navigational aspect of the lights), in pink. This will be to raise awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation relating to breast cancer issues. We will have community events scheduled from mid afternoon onwards.World ready to honour safety beacons
Lighthouses in the pink for their day
Sugarloaf Point (NSW)
Will be promoting lighthouses and raising awareness of the important of lighthouses and the conservation of these beautiful places over international lighthouse weekend (21st-22nd August) by providing a range of opportunities for visitors to experience the way of life of a lighthouse keeper. The events will be:
- - AMSA have arranged to open the lighthouse for tours which will be conducted by Lyndon O'Grady from AMSA assisted by Mark Sheriff.
- - Cottage tours – the keepers cottages at the lighthouse have been operating as holiday accommodation now for 3 years. The cottages remain beautiful, though the cottage that will be open to the public is an example of the ongoing maintenance requirements of these buildings in such a harsh environment. Visitors will be able to displays of heritage items, recent oral histories of past lighthouse keepers and photos.
- - Visitors can stop for a cuppa in the cottage and chat with past a lighthouse keeper and the local national parks ranger.
- - The Radio operators will also be onsite providing examples of radio communications.
Wollongong Breakwater (NSW)
The lighthouse will be operating on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.Point Perpendicular (NSW)
The old Point Perpendicular lighthouse will be re-lit Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights and will have Amateur Radio and Lighthouses of Australia enthusiasts on-site. The grounds will be open to the public.Split Point - Aireys Inlet (Vic)
The lovely Aireys Inlet will again be joining in the weekend with special tours of the "White Lady"Cape Otway (Vic)
Cape Otway will have a range of activities plus a late opening on Saturday night. Check the website for details .
Nobbys Head (NSW)
The Central Coast Amateur Radio Club will be taking part in the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend on Saturday the 20th of August located near to Nobbys Head Light at Newcastle, NSW. Due to the current renovations the radio club will set up at the start of the (currently gated) road up to the light on the breakwater.
Cape Schanck (Vic)
Cape Schanck has a radio group staying the weekend and they will also be launching a new room at the museum.