Regional Express (Rex) and Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) will co-host a special Rex Family Open Day this Saturday 23 September 2006 at Wagga Wagga Airport.
Rex’s Managing Director Geoff Breust said special family days have become a feature of Rex’s continued support for its regional communities and to promote regional air services.
“A family Open Day at Wagga Wagga is even more special because it is our home base and our major engineering facility. On Saturday we’re throwing open the doors from 10.00am to 4.00pm to provide a fun day out for the local community, provide a very close insight into what we do in an engineering sense and to raise funds for a very worthy cause - Sunflower House.
“It’s going to be a big day. As on previous occasions we have our three Rex scenic flights over the city and surrounds and these are always a big hit. Seats at $40.00 each are available through our Call Centre on 13 17 13 but I’m advised there almost all sold out. All the proceeds will go to Sunflower House.
“We’re inviting everyone to come behind the scenes with us as we unbolt the hangar doors to our engineering facility so that you can see first hand how we keep our aircraft in top condition and talk directly with the specialist engineers who do such a great job maintaining them.
“We will also have on display aircraft operated by our subsidiary companies Air link and Pel-Air. Air Link will display its Beech B1900D, a 19 seat regional airliner which currently operates between Dubbo and Sydney. The Beech is recognised as the best aircraft available in this seat range for regional services.
“On top of that we have a real treat – one of Pel-Air’s Learjets which does target towing and simulated special strike operations for the Navy and RAAF. It will be fitted with all the equipment associated with those operations.
“We have also been joined by the Wagga City Aero Club and Wagga Air Centre both of which will be operating special scenic flights. The Aero Club is offering special introductory flights for school children interested in learning to fly via a competition involving a short essay on why the student would like to fly.
“Wagga Air Centre is offering helicopter scenic flights from its facility at the airport.
“To top it all off, we have almost twenty stalls from the famous “Farmers’ Markets”, entertainment showcasing local musical talent including the Blind Pilot Band, Kooringal High School Band and the Combined Catholic Colleges Stage Band.
“The kids will be entertained further by free pony rides, jumping castle and face painting, and we’ll even have a bucking bull. Sunrise Rotary will put on a big BBQ for us all and those in attendance can try their luck in the Grand Lucky Draw and hourly prize giveaways. Rex will have a stand for the sale of our corporate merchandise.”
All funds raised on the day will go to the Sunflower House, a local facility used by the Mental Health Fellowship to support people who are suffering from mental illness.
“Rex is committed to serving the Riverina region and has enjoyed considerable passenger growth on the Wagga Wagga to Sydney and Melbourne routes since we began services in August 2002. We are now operating six daily return services weekdays to Sydney and a total of 76 flights on the route each week. We operate three returns most weekdays to Melbourne and a further four returns over weekends. To the local community, this means a greater choice of times and greater availability of affordable fares.
“May I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate everyone for their continued support and especially thank the Wagga Wagga City Council for their commitment and support for the Rex service and Open Day. Through Council’s innovative approach to provide the airlines with incentives to grow the passenger market, Rex in partnership with the Council is continuing to achieve record passenger numbers on its services.
“We are looking forward to the Open Day and we will are being joined by our staff from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and other regional ports. We have staff attending from as far away as Port Lincoln, Lismore, Orange and Dubbo arriving on special flights Rex is conducting for them. It should be great fun as well as being a great fund raiser for such a worthy cause in Sunflower House,” Mr Breust said.
Commenting on the special day, Mayor Kerry Pascoe said “Wagga Wagga City Council is pleased to have the continued support and commitment from Rex airlines in the community and is excited to work in partnership with Rex during the Open Day and will endeavour to work together for upcoming events.”
Member for the Riverina Kay Hull said “The journey of Rex continually proves that their heart lies in the country and particularly in Wagga Wagga! Once again the board and staff are demonstrating their commitment to us by supporting Sunflower House. Thank you Rex, you really are one of us.”
Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire also praised the Rex service stating “Rex Airlines is a shining example of how communities and business can work together for the common good. From strength to strength Rex is setting the agenda through competition service delivery and a strong customer focused philosophy. Wagga is indeed fortunate to have Rex call it home with the associated benefits it brings. Keep up the great work and thanks to the Rex family of staff and supporters we will continue to see Rex grow.”
Rex thanks its sponsors and supporters of the Open Day including Mobil Aviation, De Bortoli, Telstra Country Wide, 2WG Radio, Wagga City Aero Club, Wagga Air Centre, Sunrise Rotary Club, Wollundry Rotary Club, the Farmers’ Market Stalls, Blind Pilot, Kooringal High School Band, and the Combined Catholic and Colleges Stage Band.
While entrance to the Open Day is free, a gold coin donation would be appreciated. Tickets for the Rex scenic flights are $40 per person, all of which will be donated to the Sunflower House. Those seeking a seat on a Rex flight must book early to avoid disappointment by contacting the Rex Call Centre on 13 17 13 and making payment by credit card. Wagga Aero Club flights and Wagga Air Centre helicopter flights are available by contacting those organisations direct.
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For further information, please contact:
Wagga Wagga City Council: Shay Stegmaier, 6926 9264
Rex: Sara-Jane Uden, 0402 438 361
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