News Updates & Events

News Updates & Events

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For your sneak preview of what the Hinkler Hall of Aviation exhibits visit YouTube. Youtube www.youtube.com/hinklerhall

Council Celebrates Tourism Awards Win

Bundaberg Regional Council's $7.5 million tourist attraction and aviation adventure experience, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, has been named Best New Tourism Development at the 2009 Central Queensland Southern Reef Tourism Awards in Bundaberg. The awards recognise outstanding achievements in the tourism industry across the Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg regions, and were held on Saturday evening, 10th October 2009 in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation's award recognises the design and development of the complex, and the vigour and determination of Council's economic development and tourism units in delivering the project within budget and specification. The award also establishes the Hinkler Hall of Aviation as one of regional Queensland's most significant and successful commercial tourist attractions.

Mayor Cr Lorraine Pyefinch said she was 'delighted' to have accepted the award on Council's behalf, saying it was the culmination of many years of hard work for the Council. Cr Pyefinch said developing and operating tourist attractions was not a traditional role for Council, but the Hinkler Hall of Aviation had proven a commercial success for Bundaberg Regional Council since its opening in December 2008. "That success had flowed through to local businesses benefiting from its operation and the attraction of more visitors to the Bundaberg region" Cr Pyefinch said.

Council Manager Tourism Mr Craig Hodges said the award had a special meaning for the entire tourism team. "We have assembled a great team of tourism professionals here at Council, and this award gives each person a big pat on the back for their efforts". "The commercial sustainability of this attraction and its success at these regional Awards are due to a well executed business plan, and the foresight and commitment of a visionary and dynamic Council and various local community leaders" Mr Hodges said.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation will now compete against Queensland's best attractions in the Queensland Tourism Awards on 13th November 2009 on the Gold Coast. In the meantime, the regional tourism award will join other building design, project construction and environmental management awards the Hinkler Hall of Aviation has won in the attraction's Hall of Fame.

Hinkler Hall of Aviation receives a 'Special Visit'

We were honoured to have the Prime Minister, the Honorable Kevin Rudd, visit our region on Thursday 23rd July. The Prime Minister met with Community and Business Leaders at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and outlined the Federal Government's plans for our region. The whirlwind visit was capped off with a visit to Hinkler Hall of Aviation which the Prime Minister declared "excellent". The Prime Minister enjoyed a lengthy visit to this new 'Aviation Adventure Experience' which pays tribute to Australia’s pioneer aviator Bert Hinkler.

Hinkler Hall of Aviation "Cleans Up" at Awards

Hinkler Hall of Aviation continues to take out awards - this time, not for the building, but for its heritage value.

The Ergon Energy Tidy Towns Wide Bay Burnett Regional Awards were held today in Bundaberg, hosted by Bundaberg Regional Council.

Hinkler Hall of Aviation took out the Paradise & Bishopp Outdoor Advertising Heritage Award. This award recognises "commitment to the preservation, conservation and celebration of history, heritage and culture within a community".

Other local winners were the RACQ Litter Prevention Award, which went to Riverview; while the MINT Outstanding Achievement Award went to Bargara 3 - Innes Park Neighbourhood Watch Group, for "the high level of community work being done by this Neighbourhood Watch group".

Hinkler Hall of Aviation supports our community

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation has developed a sponsorship program designed to support community activities in the Bundaberg region.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation's sponsorship activities fall into one of two categories: Commercial Sponsorship (an agreement to buy a level of association in exchange for tangible benefits), or Community Sponsorship (focusing on community initiatives that enhance and engage the Bundaberg regional community).

A series of assessment criteria has been developed so that the Hinkler Hall of Aviation's sponsorships closely match the objectives of the project and benefits its stakeholders. All sponsorship requests must be consistent with our corporate and community brand strategies (which clarify where our brand should appear within the community, and who it appeals to), and clearly specify its role in delivering our wider mission. Further, sponsorship requests will be assessed for their ability to connect with our target audience.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation Sponsorship Request form is available to download here.

Volunteers welcome at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation

Australia's newest and most exciting regional tourist attraction and aviation adventure experience, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation, is now searching for community-spirited people to join our team.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation Volunteer Program allows local Bundaberg residents the opportunity to volunteer their valuable time and provide advice and assistance to visitors to the facility, and have a lot of fun along the way. Hinkler Hall of Aviation volunteers participate in a wide range of tasks and duties, including visitor reception and greeting, and providing invaluable interpretive information to visitors, tour groups and school students about the Bert Hinkler story.

Our volunteers enjoy the opportunity to spend time with our friendly and courteous team as part of a brand-new major national visitor attraction in the beautiful sub-tropical Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. We provide a uniform and 'on the job' training and back up support and assistance whenever you need it - you just need to bring a positive attitude, a few hours to spare regularly, a desire to help people enjoy their 'Hinkler Hall of Aviation experience', and a great big smile!

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation Volunteer Application form is available to download here.

Hinkler Hall of Aviation officially opens

The new $7.5 million Hinkler Hall of Aviation, regarded by the Bundaberg Regional Council as one of regional Australia’s most significant new tourist attractions and aviation adventure experiences, was officially opened by Senator John Hogg, President of the Senate and Senator for Queensland, on Sunday, 7th December 2008.

The officially opening was attended by local dignitaries, project supporters and Hinkler enthusiasts, who listened to speeches of thanks and recognition by Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch, Minister Warren Pitt MP, Mr Lex Rowland, Mr Paul Neville MP and Senator Hogg. Members of the official party were provided with a guided tour, while invited guests explored the facility for themselves later in the day.

Mayor Pyefinch has declared the project’s completion and the official opening as a complete success for the Bundaberg Regional Council and the people of the Bundaberg region. Council has recognised that the Hinkler Hall of Aviation will help stimulate the local tourism industry and various business sectors, while providing a tribute to Bert Hinkler and a magnificent showcase of the Bundaberg region.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation is now open to the public, from 9am to 4pm every day.