Northern Grampians community to meet global dark matter experts

Global dark matter experts will converge on Stawell and provide the region with an opportunity to talk to them about the ground-breaking research happening and what it means for the area.

On Wednesday, 25 February between 4.30-6pm the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL), with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics, will hold a community meet and greet at the Stawell Entertainment Centre.

The community will have the opportunity to chat with leadings scientists from Australia and around the world, learn about the dark matter experiment arriving in Stawell in 2026, discover the scientific potential of SUPL and discuss what all this means for the region.

The event will follow a formal event for council, government and education representatives to meet with the visiting scientists and SUPL management.

SUPL Chief Operating Officer Kim Mintern-Lane says she is looking forward to discussing the role that science education and exploration will play in the future of the Northern Grampians region.

“Stawell is now part of a global network of underground laboratories tackling some of the biggest questions in science,” Ms Mintern-Lane said. “This event is about sharing that journey with the community and celebrating the role the Northern Grampians plays in advancing cutting-edge research on the world stage.”

ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics Director Elisabetta Barberio says the region has been closely involved with the SABRE South dark matter experiment since its inception.

“For the past decade we have shared the journey of the SABRE South experiment with local government, teachers, schools, industry and the community and there is real excitement about what the project brings to the area in terms of education and its profile as a centre for cutting edge research.

“We are looking forward to visiting the community and discussing the experiment and its potential impact on Stawell and the wider region.”

The SABRE South experiment aims to detect dark matter using ultra-pure crystals. It mirrors the SABRE experiment carried out in Italy, with the Australian project aiming to confirm the results of the Northern Hemisphere experiment and discount the role of seasonal variation.

The huge SABRE South vessel is expected to be transported from Melbourne to SUPL in coming months, and to start taking data later in 2026.

For interviews, contact: Fleur Morrison | 0421 118 233 | fleur.morrison@unimelb.edu.au