October, 2014
Permanent Home
There were no appeals against the proposal put to Heritage about the future of H1 and H2. The proposal is being considered by Heritage Australia but, as yet, no decision has been made. Hopefully we will have some news before the present Government goes into caretaker mode prior to the State elections 29th November 2014.
Committee for 2015
As the number of nominations received equalled the number of vacancies on both the Executive and the Committee of Management it will not be necessary to hold an election for the 2015 Committee.
Doug Lindsay has stepped aside from the presidency; John Temby has not re-nominated for Vice President and Tony Muller and Ron Taaffe have not re-nominated for the Committee of Management. Ken Hindle resigned from Committee some months ago.
Profiles of Nominees - # denotes sitting member
# President: Lyn Gorman
This year I am seeking your support for election as President. I have gained a sound understanding of the Fund and its management, especially as Treasurer since last year’s AGM, but also through other roles: Membership Secretary for more than a year; liaison with Museums Australia (Victoria) Museum Accreditation Program (MAP), ensuring our formal Expression of Interest was submitted and enrolment in MAP achieved; organiser of volunteers to guide visiting groups through the hangar. I also report to the Committee of Management from the Museum and Library Sub-Committee and the Acquisitions Group, including progress in recording items on the Victorian Collections website.
My pre-retirement career equipped me with relevant leadership, management and communication skills. I was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Administration), Charles Sturt University (CSU) with a portfolio of diverse university divisions; I was a member of various boards; I worked with personnel in government departments and other organisations; I led international negotiations with educational institutions in China, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Malaysia.
My personal commitment to the project remains strong because of my father’s wartime service as a Liberator pilot.
I seek your support as President of the B- 24 Liberator Memorial at a time that is critical to its long term future.
#Vice President: Ken Abbott
13 years ago I started work at the restoration hangar. I was active in restoration work and also served on the Committee. Due to employment needs I had to step back from this work. I work at Qantas as an engineer on Boeing 737s.
I now have enough time to take an active role both in the restoration and on the Committee. In 2014 I served on Committee. I think I can best serve as a member of the Executive. I bring to the role the perspective of a younger person. As we are entering such a crucial time in the restoration I feel I can offer support to the President and the rest of the Executive.
#Secretary: Judith Gilbert
I have served as Secretary to the B-24 Liberator Memorial since I was elected to that position in 2005. I started work in the hangar shop in 2002.
As well as Secretary I produce the newsletter every 2 months and also oversee, on behalf of the Committee, the management of the hangar shop.
I am currently organising a further run of pavers to raise funds and complete the number of bricks needed for the Memorial Wall. I liaise with the 380th Bomb Group in USA.
I am one of the original members of the sub-committee working to ensure a secure future home for the Memorial and regularly report back to Committee on these matters. I also work closely with members of Parliament and executives of Places Victoria, Melbourne Water and Treasury.
I ask to be able to continue this vital work into 2015 as Secretary of this organisation.
Treasurer: Helen Lowry
I have worked at the restoration for 2 years, in the shop. For the past 8 months I have been part of the group preparing for Museum Accreditation. I am responsible for assessing, photographing and recording our artefacts.
I spent my working life as a stenographer then secretary for the Premier’s Department and the Police Department.
I wish to become more involved in the administration of the Association and see the role of Treasurer as one where my skills can be utilised.
Committee of Management
Joe Sammartino
I grew up in Werribee & lived just across the river from the hangar.
I joined the restoration crew in 2001 and have worked on many parts of the plane.
I was Chairman of the sub-committee which planned the 20
th Anniversary celebration of the restoration, a great event.
For the past 10 years I have been the Fund’s representative on the local Weerama Festival Planning Committee.
I am also responsible for the maintenance of the gardens around the hangar, an important component of a welcoming aspect for visitors. I am presently a member of the museum acquisition group.
I feel I could help in the work of the Committee so ask for your vote.
#Nat Eichler
I have been with the B-24 restoration since 1995 and have served on the Committee for that period of time. If elected to the 2015 Committee, I will be the longest serving Committee member, a term of service of which I am proud.
During that time I have been Vice President as well as a member of the Committee of Management.
Currently, in the hangar, I do some of the purchasing work, sit on the current Committee and act as a guide to individuals and groups who visit. As a WW2 Liberator crew member I wish to see this project through so that A72-176 can have a permanent home.
# Tony Maher
For the past eleven years I have worked on the restoration. I am a sitting Committee Member whose area of responsibility is hangar management, a role I enjoy as it means I deal with all hangar workers and work areas. I am involved in other aspects of the Association. I assist in the planning, setting up and manning of displays and fund raisers. I look forward to continuing this work into the challenging times we face.
John Keevins
I started working on the restoration in 1995. I taught Communications at Victoria University for 10 years and am currently tutoring secondary students. Recently I have been appointed Convenor of the Acquisitions Committee and am pleased that my role has expanded beyond working on the aircraft. I am currently refurbishing the oxygen systems and various other components which recently included the radar dish.
My primary concern is that we need increased cohesion and communication across the organisation so we can work to a consistent standard.
Jim Johnson
I first became aware of the B-24 Liberator Restoration Fund in 2012 while driving past the hangar. I recently became unemployable due to being over qualified. I was sick of applying for non-existent jobs to meet Centrelink requirements. I decided that volunteering was the way to go and as aircraft have always held a fascination for me, particularly WW2 "warbirds", I decided the B-24 was the place to be.
Several life & career changes have shaped my skills across a diverse section of industry & professional pathways. I have a trade background and a double University degree.
I was employed by Vic Uni to design and manage community based projects across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Hopefully my skills will be of use to this organisation and I will see the day when the "old girl" takes up residence in her new hangar.
#Dan O’Connell
I am in my 9th year at the restoration and feel I still have a lot to offer both in the hangar and on the Committee. I have worked in many areas of the restoration and served on Committee in planning and organisational roles.
I wish to serve a further term as I feel the group has need of experienced, dedicated workers at this time in the development of the project.
B-24 Liberator Update (Ron Taaffe)
Work in the hangar has been disrupted this past month with volunteers on holidays, sickness and additional school holiday duties for grandparents.
We have had to clear out work stations on 2 occasions to welcome large contingents of visitors: the Classic and Historic Automobile Club of Australia and the crowd that attended the 70th birthday of A72-176.
There has been good progress on the flap control fittings which are now ready to be fitted back on the wing trailing edge.
The saddle will be ready for a test fitting in a week or two and the underside of the wing in the bomb bay area is being made ready for cleaning and re-fitting of fuselage side supports.
The ball turret was powered up and operated as part of the birthday celebration and will remain as a floor display for the time being.
During engine runs the modified engine stand was easier to manoeuvre and it was a treat to hear the P&W 1830 purring away.
The Test Rig
Oxford Update (Ken Hindle)
This is proceeding well. We are in the process of putting the ribs together for the rear spar. In 4 to 6 weeks we hope to be able to put the spar in the jig so the ribs can be installed.
The Oxford Assembly line - now encroaching into B-24 domain.
Wyndham Business Awards, Tourism
This year Tourism was linked with hospitality in these awards. There were 4 finalists: the B-24, 2 local Quest apartment complexes and a local hotel, The Park. The hotel won the prize. Congratulations to this group.
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Liberator Events
Our 70th birthday party for A72-176 was a great success. Despite it blowing a gale on the day we had plenty of visitors. There were many first time visitors so the word is spreading.
We made in excess of $3000 to help with the restoration.
It was exhausting for those who worked on the preparation and on the day but well worth the effort.
Part of the Military Re-enactment Group's display.
Jim's band performing for the visitors.
This was followed, the next weekend, by Wyndham City celebrating 150 years of development. We were asked to put on a display and ended up putting on 3 throughout the Council building. Approximately 3000 people attended. We had pictures and a TV presentation in the Timeline area; a cabinet display of pilot memorabilia in the hall and the entire foyer where we had the cockpit instrumentation, the Liberator billy cart, story boards and other items. It was very successful and again exposed us to people who had not seen the restoration before.
WCC Foyer
Memories
In the last newsletter I published some information and a picture relating to Biddy Napier, widow of Flt Lt John Napier DFC.
The Napiers told us a story about the romance between John and Biddy. John convalesced after a bout of malaria at a homestead near Wagga where he met Biddy. The owner of the homestead was Biddy’s uncle.
At one stage John borrowed a pony, galloping to the farm owned by Biddy’s family so that he could see her.
Feeling that a more memorable sign was needed, once he went back to duty in Tocumwal John got into a Liberator, flew back to Wagga and buzzed the homestead of Biddy’s family causing such consternation that Biddy’s great aunt, Nan Wilson dropped the tea tray!
After the visit to the hangar Biddy’s daughter did some research from her dad’s logbook.
Looking at the dates it became apparent that A72-176 or A72-116 were the planes John was flying around the time the incident occurred.
So, maybe, our old girl played an important part in a wartime romance.
Proxy Form - To Re-name the Organisation and Revise the Constitution
The form can be downloaded by clicking here. Please note that this form requires the Adobe Reader software program to open.
Also, please remember we will need proxies so that we can get a quorum at the AGM which is scheduled for Saturday, 15th November, 2014 at 11 AM.
Please follow the instructions carefully. Unless all parts are filled in the form will not be accepted.
Sorry that your return time is limited. It has taken some time to get this edition together.
