Penola Cultural Association, Naracoorte Community News

Guests at this year’s Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival will have the opportunity to learn about the early polar explorations of Penola’s John Riddoch Rymill.

The Penola Cultural Association will host the event in conjunction with Rymill’s grandson, John, and as part of a plan to commemorate the life and achievements of the late, local polar explorer for its next major project.

Association Chairman, Rick Paltridge, says Rymill’s “feats of endurance and sheer bravery have captured the imagination” of the group.

“He’s been widely recognised in international exploration circles, yet not much is known about him in Australia.”

“We are enthralled by his story; from growing up on the family farming property and learning bush skills that would eventually aid him in expeditions to Greenland, Canada and his penultimate voyage as the Australian leader of the British Graham Land Expedition to Antarctica that took place between 1934 and 1937,” Mr Paltridge says.

“We have been working with the Rymill family on something very special for this year’s Arts Festival, and we also want to whet the appetite of locals regarding our forthcoming major project.”

Two, free, sessions presented by Rymill’s grandson, John Rymill, will be offered in the program on Friday 19th May (5-6.30pm) and Saturday 20 May (11am-3pm).

There will also be the opportunity to purchase signed copies of ‘John Rymill – Polar Pioneer’ from Mr Rymill’s son – author and historian – Peter Rymill, who will attend the sessions.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.