Organisers of the 2011 Wide Bay Australia International Air Show have this week received a $200,000 boost from the Queensland government for the forthcoming event.
Acting Premier Paul Lucas announced earlier this week that the Bligh Government will inject the funds into the event to, “help promote the state’s thriving aviation industry to the world”.
Organisers of the event say the Wide Bay Australia International Air Show is the largest GA-specific airshow in the country, and that the three-day event will throw the spotlight on the Wide Bay Burnett region as an emerging aviation centre of excellence.
“The Bligh Government is investing in this great event because it showcases the potential of this industry to a national and international audience,” Lucas said.
“Almost 30 per cent of Australia’s aviation firms are located in Queensland – and that means jobs for around 16,500 people. We know that the Wide Bay Burnett region already has a number of successful local operations [Jabiru Aircraft and Seabird Aviation, to name a few] including light aircraft manufacturing, aircraft engine manufacturing, avionics, aircraft painting and surface coating and testing facilities.
“We want to seize on the potential to grow and expand even further because it’s good for local jobs, local business and the regional economy as a whole.”
The last incarnation of the Wide Bay Australia International Air Show, held in 2009, attracted more than 22,000 people and delivered an economic boost of more than $5 million to the region.
Highlights of the three-day event, held at Bundaberg Airport from Friday August 19 to Saturday August 21, include:
- A trade and careers day on Friday August 19 promoting the region as an aviation centre of excellence;
- Live performances by former RAAF Fighter Combat (Top Gun) instructor and the first ever Australian to compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Championships, Matt Hall; and
- World War II aircraft and post World War II aircraft displays such as the Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG-15) aircraft, the Hawker Hunter and the North American Aviation T-28 Trojan.
For more information on the event click here.