ANSTO* today announced that it was rewarding three students for their entries into a competition to identify a name for its Replacement Research Reactor (RRR), with a prize of information technology equipment.
“I am very pleased to announce that Carmen Burgess and Caleb Pratt, both from the Parndana Area School in South Australia, and Jacob Muscat, from the St John Bosco College in Engadine, are being recognised for the creativity and insight of their entries,” said Professor Helen Garnett, ANSTO Executive Director.
“The RRR is a major item of national infrastructure due to be operational in 2006,” continued Professor Garnett. “It will contribute significantly to science, engineering, medicine and industry for many years into the future and it is appropriate that the reactor’s name reflects the significance of the investment and also withstands the test of time.”
After thorough consideration of the best potential names, which predominantly fell into the three categories listed below, none of them quite made the winner’s podium.
- Acronyms to describe the facility, which is a common approach worldwide
- Famous Australian scientists
- Other names with an Australian flavour.
As a result of a clear winner not being determined, ANSTO will share the value of the prize amongst those who made the best nomination in each of the above categories.
The prize has been donated by the Argentinean company constructing the reactor, INVAP, and their major Australian partner, JEHDI. Each winning student will be able to purchase information technology equipment to a value of $3,000, which is being matched by the same amount to each of the student’s schools: $6,000 to Parndana Area School (two students) and $3,000 to St John Bosco College (one student).
Carmen’s entry was ‘Oliphant’, Jacob’s many entries included ‘Open Pool Australian Reactor’ and ‘Sir Mark Oliphant’, while one of Caleb’s entries was ‘Matilda’.
ANSTO is keen that the name be recognised as ‘Australian’ and is now working with its major stakeholder, taking inspiration from the entries, to arrive at the final name.