Sunday the 14th of March 2010
This cruise is a FCC social event for members and families. The Cruise will depart from the Notting Hill Hotel at 10.15 am sharp, Sunday the 14th of March, and we will visit two venues.
Friends and relatives are welcome, but please note pre-registration will be required for both catering and Military security purposes. Wheelchair access is available at the RAAF Museum, but unfortunately the Liberator site is not so equipped.
Lunch will be a BYO barbeque / picnic lunch, so you may need to bring the usual deck chairs and camping tables. A sausage sizzle will be provided for us at the Liberator venue, however you will need to bring your own salads etc, or if you have a preference for something other than barbequed sausages in bread, then I suggest you make your own arrangements.
Due to other Fun Run events on and around Westgate on that day, we will not be able to pick up any stragglers at Shell Westgate. Anybody coming from the Geelong, Werribbee or Northern suburb area’s could meet up with us at the first Venue ( the Liberator ), or pick up the Cruise as it passes the Millers Road exit on the Westgate Freeway at Altona.
Any questions, ring Alan Paris 0428 595 442
Venue One. Corner of Farm Road & Old Geelong Road, Werribbee.
We shall visit the Liberator Restoration Project. Admittance is $5.00 per head, and for those partaking in Morning Tea, an extra $3.50 is required.
We will have a guided tour of the Liberator project, and lunch at this venue.
This is a long term project, where the average age of the volunteer worker seems to be above 80 ! Think of the movie “Cocoon” and you will know what to expect. For those who are interested in aircraft and military history this old Hanger has a lot to offer.
We plan to leave Werribbee at around 12.15. and we shall travel in convoy to the RAAF Base at Point Cook.
Venue Two. RAAF Museum, RAAF Williams, Point Cook Road, Point Cook.
There is no charge to enter this Venue.
The Musuem people will have a “Car Club” parking area staked out for us, and if the need arises we can put up a couple of tents/shelters. The RAAF does not provide catering facilities, so if lunch at the Liberator site was too early or too rushed for you, you will need to bring your own rations with you to Point Cook. The main part of the Museum is directly across the road from our Car Park, and although there are roads on the base, traffic is restricted to 40 kph and there is almost no traffic to speak of, as this Base is currently de-commissioned. Although nothing is 100% safe for little children, this is about as good as you can get.
The Museum consists of four separate Hangers, one of which is known as the Restoration Hanger. A conducted tour of the Restoration Hanger has been arranged for us, starting sometime around 2.15 pm.
The Display Hangers will remain open to 4.00 pm and we have full access.
Weather permitting, one of the Museum aircraft will give a flying display between 1.30 and 2.00pm. This exhibition normally takes the form of an interactive display, and the kids are able to chat with the RAAF Pilots.
Point Cook is regarded as the cradle of Australian aviation, and certainly is our first military aviation establishment. The Air component of our Antarctic exploits were based here, Aviation and Naval Medicine research was conducted here in decompression chambers and rocket propelled sleds, and flying training for all military pilots began at Point Cook. Seaplanes operated from the southern end of the Point Cook airfield during both world wars, and most of the military and non-military Spies were trained at the School of Languages here at Point Cook.
Kingsford Smith and many other famous Aviators used Point Cook as a departure point for record making flights. Most of the buildings and historic memorabilia of these past times still remain in place at Point Cook.
As Point Cook houses the RAAF Museum and the Defense Department School of Launguages ( Spy School ) only certain parts of the Base are open for restricted public access, and it is still a Department of Defence facility. Visitors must obey the directions of serving military personel and Security sub contractors. Security is a bit of a pain, and everyone over the age of 16 must be recorded and issued with a pass at the main entrance. Photo ID is a must for all adults. We can smooth out the officialdom if we provide a list of names before arrival.
If you want to avoid a queue or a body search at the Gatehouse, you should email the names of adults that will be in your car, along with the registration number to :
a316310@hotmail.com Atten Alan Paris.
All email advices must be received prior to 10.00 am on Saturday 13/03/2010.
Those who do not have email are welcome to ring on 0428 595 442
Those who are not on the list, can still get in OK, it just means they will not be waved through, and the entry process will take a little longer.
If you act like a terrorist, you will definitely not get in. The military have no tolerance of humour.
Children under 16 are not required to register, and those below the age of 21 do not need photo ID.
Camera’s are permitted at both sites.
Inclement weather could cause a cancellation of this event, although light or sporadic rain would be considered more of a nuisance than a reason to cancel.
If the weather is doubtful, a recorded message will indicate a go/no-go, on
0428 595 442 after 8.00 am on 14/03/10.
When leaving the RAAF Point Cook Base, special care is required on the road immediately outside the Guardhouse, as there is a sweeping bend in the road which is not obvious to those exiting the Gates. Traffic coming from the Werribbee beach cannot be seen until you are right on the junction of RAAF road and Point Cook Road. This has been the scene of many fatal accidents…..
More details regarding these venues :
B-24 Liberator Memorial, Hanger phone 03 9731 1263
Melways Map 198, reference F 10.
RAAF Museum, Admin phone 03 8256 1040
Melways Map 198, reference J 4.
Email RAAFMuseumInfo@dm.mil.au
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