Hannah Rosiak, 8, yesterday. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER
The Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium yesterday welcomed its one-millionth visitor.
As the region's most visited indoor attraction since its opening in 1989, the science centre has been a resounding success, providing both education and entertainment.
Director Glen Moore said the centre featured the only major planetarium theatre in NSW and had been an innovator in many of the technologies now used in science centres elsewhere.
"It was the first to show full dome movies and remains the only facility to have laser graphic shows," he said.
In 2011 the centre received an award for tourism innovation.
More than 500 school classes visit each year, with half of them from outside the Illawarra.
"The science centre prides itself on being a family-friendly facility catering for people of all ages and backgrounds," Mr Moore said.
To celebrate the milestone the science centre and Sheldon and Hammond donated a computer-controlled telescope to the lucky visitor, Michelle Rosiak.
The science centre has now invested more funding into student internships than the $2.6 million of government funding that was provided to build the building.
"These student interns include many trainee teachers who have learned practical science communication and teaching skills at the centre and are now working in schools with greatly enhanced science and technology abilities," Mr Moore said.
