What's new at the museum and Longreach Shire
The Catalina lands in Longreach, 14th September 2011
The Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach has welcomed WWII aircraft, the Catalina (VH-EAX), to its collection.
The Catalina was famous for flying the Qantas blockade buster services across the Indian Ocean during World War Two, known as the 'Double Sunrise Service', which is still recognised as the longest endurance regular transport flights ever.
The historic aircraft's journey to Longreach has been over two years in the making. Working its way from Spain, where it was purchased by the museum, via an 18-month stopover in Thailand, the Catalina proved quite a handful to fly, cruising at a little more than 200 kilometres per hour.
The plane will undergo a refurbishment to represent and tell the story of its famous services during World War Two.
Catalina Update
Since the arrival of the Museum's most recent iconic artefact, a Catalina aircraft, our Director of Volunteers, Peter Elliott
has been busy organising a modification and maintenance assessment report to update the project timeline and financial budget.
"Once the updated budget is finalised, work will commence to bring the aircraft up to exhibit standard and we expect this to take
about 6 months" advised Rodney Seccombe, Qantas Foundation Memorial Chairman.
"We are extremely grateful for the sponsorship of $150,000 from the John Villiers Trust which enabled the Catalina to fly into
Longreach and for the subsequent contribution of $50,000 to assist with the final stages of the Catalina project to bring the
aircraft up to exhibition standard".
Qantas Foundation Memorial (QFM) would ideally like to carry out some of the more major modifications in a purpose built hangar. Negotiations are currently underway in seeking assistance from our friendly sponsors and supporting organisations with such facilities which are available in Sydney.
We are encouraging interested people and QFM members to support this project by making a tax deductible donation to:
Qantas Foundation Memorial Ltd
BSB 034194
Account number 140620 Ref: (surname)
QFM Donations Account
QFM welcomes offers of support and help with this project.
Please check this page for regular updates.
Coming in 2012
Six Artist - March / June (exact dates to be advised)
Six Artists From Out of Nowhere is a group of five painters and a sculptor who all live on and love the land.
Born as a creative antidote to years of drought in rural Queensland.
website: www.sixartists.com.au
Metka Skrobar - June / July (exact dates to be advised)
Metka Skrobar is an Australian Artist based in South East Queensland and has been painting professionally since 1982. Metka is an established Watercolourist and very popular Art Tutor who travels throughout Australia conducting regular workshops.
With her love for 'The Outback' she frequents the remotest parts of Australia to explore, discover and collate ideas which serve as an inspiration for her artworks.
Originally from Slovenia, Metka, often travels to Europe where she has held a solo exhibition in her home town, Maribor, and also participated in several highly regarded group exhibitions in Slovenia, Italy and Austria. Metka spent time studying under Europe's Master Watercolourist, France Slana.
Amidst an impressive and industrious career Metka's Curriculum Vitae reflects her professional attitude and her ability to appeal to a wide audience.
website: www.metkaart.info
For further information contact:
Alleyne Johnson, Acting General Manager Ph (07) 4658 3737 email
ajohnson@qfom.com.au
Nicholas Vincent, Events Marketing Coordinator Ph (07) 4658 3737 email
events@qfom.com.au
