RAAF Museum Forum meet – for Bushfire relief

OK. Sometime late last year, it was suggested a forum meet at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, would be a goer in the new year. (Those not in the local area, don’t tune out, you may get to be involved yet…)

With the terrible bushfire disaster in Victoria, I’m suggesting we do it soon, and we make it a bushfire relief fundraiser.

I’m looking for ways that those that can’t attend (inexplicably, not everyone lives in Victoria) can get involved, and those that do attend can share – and at the same time, hopefully raising more money for the bushfire relief. Suggestions welcome.

OK, the nitty gritty.

When? The museum runs an ‘Interactive’ on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 1pm – that’s a handling flying demonstration of one of the Museum’s (or a guest) aircraft where the visitors get to talk to the pilot and crew, ask questions etc. (See: http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/exhibitions/inter_display.htm )

So I’m assuming most people would prefer a Sunday. If there’s enough interest, we could do two.

If we have a big enough group, I may be able to book a tour – but for that we need a definite commitment of numbers. Provided we have decent guaranteed numbers I may be able to arrange some special extras (but not including visits to the museum stores).

Where? The RAAF Museum. See: http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/

How? Free entry, bring a photo ID. Museum’s open 10-3 Tues Fri, 10-5 Sat & Sun. Access is on the museum website, people needing lifts can probably carpool once we get going.

Why? 1) Because it’s there. 2) Because Victoria’s recent and current bushfires are one of the worst diasters in the country’s history – not to mention the floods in Queensland and NSW. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Victorian_bushfires

Do they really need cash? See: http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090211-Tips-from-a-bushfire-survivor.html

Who? You of course. This isn’t restricted to this forum, I’m posting on all the relevant forums I know.

I think it would also be a prime opportunity for a raffle, again to raise funds for bushfire relief – everyone brings something aeronautically cool and historical that they have or buy, and we raffle it. Good stuff, no junk.

Prepared to donate? Good on ya, mate. Here: http://www.redcross.org.au/

At this stage we just want expressions of interest so answer any/all:

1) Good idea, you like it?

2) Which day/s suit you? (Put all poss.)

3) Prepared to make a bushfire relief contribution either online or on the day?

4) Prepared to join in a raffle for bushfire relief?

5) A day close to the Avalon Airshow* (10-15 March) is good / bad for you.

*http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2009/index.html

6) How can we involve people who can’t make it?

Cheers,