Polar pioneer set to be celebrated at two Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival events

Patrons 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 said Rymill’s feats of endurance and sheer bravery hadcaptured the imagination of the group.

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

“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, May 19 (5-6.30pm) and Saturday, May 20 (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 session