![Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Temora Aviation Museum CEO Peter Harper are excited to announce the return of the Warbirds Downunder Airshow.](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/08/TemoraAviation3-1200x895.jpg)
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Temora Aviation Museum CEO Peter Harper are excited to announce the return of the Warbirds Downunder Airshow. Photo: Supplied.
After several years of cancellations, the Temora Aviation Museum’s incredibly popular Warbirds Downunder Airshow is set to return with some of history’s most iconic aircraft.
Spitfires, Mustangs, Kitty Hawks and VTOL fighters will all be flying over Temora on 19 and 20 October in a rare showing of World War II’s most unique planes.
“This is one of the most wonderful and impressive airshows in the world and that was shown in 2018, the last time we held the show, when over 20,000 people attended,” Temora Aviation Museum CEO Peter Harper said.
“It’s not just the skies that will be entertaining audiences either, we will have the full Air Force band and the Air Force balloon here too, if the weather permits, which will be giving tethered rides in the morning.
“There will be plenty of kids entertainment as well, including jumping castles and live music as well. We really try to cater for the whole family when holding our airshows and there’s arguably none bigger than the Warbirds Downunder Airshow.”
The return of the airshow was made possible through a $175,000 investment by the NSW Government in 2022. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke expressed the importance the show had in bringing tourists to the region.
“The last Warbirds Downunder Airshow was held in 2018 with the 2022 event cancelled due to flooding in the region, so it’s just so exciting that the popular showcase will be back bigger and better than ever this year,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is truly fantastic that our Temora community can provide such a distinctive tourist attraction that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for those who visit, and I congratulate the entire team at the museum for what they’ve achieved.”
![Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke tries out the new Warbirds simulator at the Temora Aviation Museum.](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/08/TemoraAviation1-1-1200x540.jpeg)
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke tries out the new Warbirds simulator at the Temora Aviation Museum. Photo: Supplied.
The Warbirds Airshow isn’t the only attraction the Temora Aviation Museum has recently secured either. In December 2023, the museum introduced state-of-the-art Warbird simulators, which were secured in part thanks to a $438,110 funding allocation under the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
“The museum has been such a wonderful asset for the Temora community over the years, and I’m so delighted to see the innovative Warbird simulator project take flight,” Ms Cooke said.
“I can speak from experience when I say that the full-motion Warbird simulators will ensure the Temora Aviation Museum remains a unique and iconic tourism destination in the Riverina for many years to come.”
Mr Harper said the museum was thankful for the work Ms Cooke had done to secure funding for both attractions.
“We’ve only had the simulators now for about six months and they’ve already put bums in seats,” Mr Harper said.
“The simulators and the airshows help us provide a really attractive and immersive package for visitors. It is a really affordable and worthwhile experience that many people have proven to love.
“We encourage everyone to come down to the airshow in October, give the simulator a go and tour the fantastic museum we have here.”
Tickets for the Warbirds Downunder Airshow can be purchased at the Termora Aviation Museum website or via Ticketmaster.
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.