A GROUP of 80 young people at Moorabbin Air Museum are working hard to promote aviation to kids as part of their work with the Winjeels Club.
Winjeels has been running for six years, and now boasts 80 members. The group’s members meet every Saturday to present skill-based play and learning activities about aviation to young kids.
The Winjeels Club is for young people aged between 12 and 20. Group facilitator David Collier said that interest in the group and in aviation is “growing”.
“We place a lot of emphasis on encouraging the kids to be themselves and to utilise their individual talents in creative ways. We try and cap attendance for each activity to 20-35 on weekend activities to ensure each child gets the right amount of attention,” Collier said.
14-year-old William is one of the group’s members. His grandfather helped restore the Gloster Meteor T7 A77-707 aircraft at the Moorabbin Air Museum, which played a part in inspiring William to get involved.
“I enjoy everything from restoring aircraft, learning the basics of flying on a sophisticated simulator, creating realistic dioramas for display at the museum to studying meteorology and how it affects flight plans. I also get to experience amazing volunteering opportunities, which has included involvement in the Moorabbin Air Museum marquee at the Australian International Airshow 2023,” William said.
Moorabbin Air Museum is set to move into a new 4000sqm home next year. For more information on The Moorabbin Air Museum visit aarg.com.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 21st June 2023