The Science Festival whānau was saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Elizabeth Hanan on 13 October. Dame Elizabeth was inspired to start a science festival in Ōtepoti Dunedin after visiting the Edinburgh Science Festival as deputy mayor in 1996. A former science teacher, she came back inspired by what she had seen there and determined to start something similar here, citing a festival’s ability to both showcase local science academics and industry and promote economic activity during the city’s quieter winter months.

The first science festival was held in Dunedin in 1998. 26 years on, the festival has reached countless numbers of children and adults, inspiring them with the wonders of science and celebrating Dunedin as “the City of Science". Dame Elizabeth received our very first Life Membership honour in 2010 and her absence will be keenly felt by all involved.

Dame Elizabeth, pictured at left, together with Jean Fleming who served as the festival's first programme chairperson.