Our History
Our History
In November 2003, the (then) Bundaberg City Council combined funds with the Australian and Queensland Governments to undertake a detailed analysis on the development of a facility to celebrate the life and achievements of Bert Hinkler. From here, the vision for the ‘Hinkler Hall of Aviation’ was born.
Extensive internal and external consultation followed, drafting the key objectives of the new Hinkler Hall of Aviation as being:
- To honour and promote the memory of Bert Hinkler through a Museum of national significance;
- To at all times protect and enhance the collection of artefacts that belong to the Hinkler Hall of Aviation;
- To operate a financially sustainable ‘aviation experience’ open to the public and displaying data, objects and memorabilia pertaining to Hinkler and his associates;
- To undertake educational activities designed to disseminate information about Hinkler and his times;
- To promote community pride and stewardship for the Bundaberg region;
- To improve the profile of the Bundaberg region and the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens as a tourist destination;
- To create local training and employment opportunities; and
- To nurture in our youth an awareness and appreciation of Bundaberg’s aviation heritage, culture and qualities.
Pivotal to the development and success of the Hinkler Hall of Aviation project has been generous cash and in-kind support from the Australian Government (for $4 million), the Queensland Government (for $1.485 million) and the (then) Bundaberg City Council (in excess of $1 million). In addition to these funding sources, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation is pursuing corporate partnership to fulfil the ongoing development budget of $7.5 million.
