High Fliers Museum

CRAIG WINTER

MARYBOROUGH’S famous Military Trail will expand even further with the launch of the Maryborough Military Aviation Museum this week.

Dignitaries and supporters attended last weekends sod turning ceremony at the Maryborough Airport Precinct, joined by aviators from around the state as they flew in at the invitation of the Maryborough Aero Club, to celebrate the event.

The Museum has been quietly collecting exhibits including a Wackett aircraft and a Tiger Moth, both of which will become major centerpieces of the display.

Maryborough Airport was a wartime base for the training of wireless air gunners and Royal Navy aviators (see our story on page 9 of this edition), so the museum will sit on familiar territory once completed.

Special guests included Peter Shadforth of RV Homebase fame who was born in the onsite field hospital in 1945, the last surviving HMS Nabstock member Peter Groom, Local Member Bruce Saunders, Deputy Mayor Councillor Paul Truscott, Cr Daniel Sanderson and Wing Commander Stephen Hart (ret’d), President Fraser Coast RAAF Association who delivered a personal message from Air Commodore John Meier (ret’d), former RAAF Director General History & Heritage, who could not attend the ceremony for family reasons.

Contributions have already been made towards the building costs from the Rotary Club of Maryborough Sunrise, the office of MP Bruce Saunders, Advanced Treeworks and the Maryborough Pensioners’ Association whose own local history goes back to 1947.

The Maryborough Sun is providing in-kind media and promotional support as the MMAM’s media partner.

Museum President Jenny Elliot said “We could not have asked for a more perfect day for our official sod turning and fundraising launch on the 81st anniversary of the establishment of 3W.A.G.s at the Maryborough Airport.

“Close to 100 people attended representing community groups, local businesses and descendants of men stationed at the base." she said.

“Their feedback of what we have achieved to date has been humbling and with this support, we are well positioned and another step closer to raising the required capital to begin museum operations at the airport.”

Cr Paul Truscott said that the Museum will add yet another facet to Maryborough’s tourism attractions.

“This celebration of our amazing local history will honor those who were based here, and provide an insight into the defence of Australia for locals and visitors alike.”