November 8, 2017

Museum History

The idea of building a museum to tell Narromine’s aviation story started to become a reality in the late 1990s, when a committee was formed and a National Tourism Development Program grant secured. The Narromine Aero Club contributed to the initial collection, and donations of memorabilia are still being sought.

Narromine Council provided additional funding, and a public fundraising effort raised nearly $100,000 for materials. The uniquely-designed museum building, with its roof reminiscent of an airfoil, is the result of some 6,000 hours of voluntary labour by Narromine Aero Club members and others. The museum was officially opened by pioneer aviatrix Nancy-Bird Walton in October 2002.

In 2003, a $140,000 Regional Assistance Program grant from the Commonwealth Department of Trade and Regional Services enabled the museum committee to employ a curator to develop the displays and to research the collection.