To mark the significant occasion, the global astronomy community - including a consortium of Swiss universities representing the latest organisations to join the international project - has gathered in Perth for the milestone.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the MWA project was making new discoveries about the Universe while upskilling our workforce, training future leaders through PhD research, stimulating advanced industries and delivering national economic benefits.

“Not only is the MWA telling us more than we’ve ever known about the first stars and galaxies formed more than 13 billion years ago, but it’s also an international success story that demonstrates what can be achieved when the world’s best collaborate across science, engineering, computing and education,” Professor Hayne said.

“In hard numbers alone, Ernst and Young has modelled the significant economic benefit the MWA has brought to the nation, determining that the $34.8 million Australia has invested in the project to date has driven an $81.1 million uplift to our Gross Domestic Product, equating to more than $2 for every $1 spent.”

MWA Director John Curtin Distinguished Professor Steven Tingay said the project was reaching a crucial point in its operations.

A consortium of Swiss universities led by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, which is joining the Curtin-led MWA collaboration for the final phase, is being represented at this week’s celebrations.