Shoalhaven Council Acts To Keep Museum Going
Illawarra Mercury
Friday June 13, 2003
AUSTRALIA'S Museum of Flight could have its wings clipped if there is no end to its financial woes.
The Nowra museum is feeling the pinch after the collapse of HIH Insurance, which was one of its major sponsors and a drop in tourism after the Christmas-New Year bushfires and the drought kept visitors away from the Shoalhaven.
Museum chairman Neil Ralph's request that Shoalhaven City Council consider offering the troubled museum financial assistance has taken a positive step.
His request has led to a works and finance committee recommendation that the council donate $30,000 and allocate resources to assist with project management and marketing of the museum.
The recommendations, applauded by Shoalhaven City Mayor Greg Watson, will be considered on June 23 at a council meeting.
``We are grateful for the consideration," Mr Ralph said.
He said there were plans to continue upgrades on the facility that, before it was privatised in the late 1980s, was run by the Australian Navy as a naval museum.
``We have expanded the scope of the collection from a Navy collection to an Australia-wide collection to give broader (representation) of Australian aviation history," he said.
Mr Ralph said the museum had also requested the manufacturers of the Concorde consider exhibiting a Concorde at the Nowra facility once they are no longer in service.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury
