PARKES FAMILY OPEN DAY (August 2005)

It was a true winter's day Saturday 20 August when a team of Rex staff from Sydney and Wagga Wagga touched down at Parkes Airport to bring a special Family Open Day to the Parkes region in collaboration with the Parkes Shire Council. Yet the showers and gusts of wind couldn't blow away the enthusiasm of the mob eager to let the true Rex Spirit shine through. The weather tried to rain on our parade, but we opened the doors to the Aero Club Hangar, moved inside and had our fun both on the ground and in the air with families, community organisations, and businesses from Parkes and surrounding towns including Forbes, Condobolin, Lake Cargellico , Peak Hill and Trundle.

Of course the three scenic flights over Parkes, Forbes and Condoblin with a special view of “The Dish”, the famous radio telescope just north of Parkes, were the main attraction of the day, yet an assortment of activities kept those on the ground well amused.

Our regional friends enjoyed music and dance performances by the Parkes Town Band, the Parkes Music and Dramatic Society, the Chester Drawers and the Low Boys and the Pillot Dance School . They were able to wander around the Market Day stalls, inspect a Rex plane, enter competitions and try their luck to win hourly prize giveaways or a trip to Sydney for two. A BBQ and hot cuppa assisted in warming hungry tummies, while a jumping castle did the trick for kids and a glass of red for our VIP guests!

More than provide a fun day out for the local Parkes community; the day highlighted our air service between Parkes, the surrounding region including Forbes, Condoblin and Lake Cargellico districts, and Sydney . Parkes is a key airport for the Central West of New South Wales and our aim is to strengthen its position as a regional port serving surrounding districts of up to 90 minutes travel by road which are without an air service. Organising the family day has become one of the ways Rex is supporting regional communities and promoting regional air services. The day also proved to be a substantial fundraiser for Angel Flight Australia since all proceeds raised from the sale of scenic flight tickets and other happenings were donated to the worthy charity serving the region.

Angel Flight Australia, which was selected as the beneficiary by the Parkes Shire Council, is a charity which co-ordinates non-emergency flights for financially and medically needy people. All flights are free for patients or compassionate carers traveling to or from medical facilities anywhere in Australia.