MICHAEL Proudfoot was tired of negative talk about his adopted-town, so the pilot and radiographer decided to put on an air show to celebrate the opening of a project he reckons will open up Moree for a boom in business.
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The Moree Aero Club member has teamed up with the Moree Plains Shire Council to make the opening of the Gateway project on June 20 an event the town won’t forget in a hurry.
“Bloody oath I’m excited!” Mr Proudfoot said. “I’ve been here since 1999 and we haven’t had an air show in that time – now we’re in for extensive aerobatics and rare war bird displays.”
While he loves getting into the sky, Mr Proudfoot spearheaded an effort to draw the renowned Paul Bennet Air Shows from Newcastle for the event.
“When it comes to stunts like this, you just sit back and let the pros take care of the show,” he said.
Local clubs like the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service are being invited to take place in static displays throughout the day.
Mr Proudfoot said the event and the new project should be a celebration of Moree.
“There’s too much negativity around with people talking about drugs and crime,” he said. “But this is a great town, this is a great community and this project is just what we need.”
When Mr Proudfoot heard about the opening he wanted to turn it into a big event.
“I thought, let’s get 3000 people to turn up, not just 300... so I guess they’ll either love me or stone me, depending on whether it’s a success!”
On the plus side, Mr Proudfoot said, helping put on the town’s first air show in two decades might almost make him a local, after all these years.
The official opening of the Gateway will take place from 10am with the air display taking flight from 11am and continuing throughout the day, featuring the world famous Wolf Pitts Pro Bi-plane and rare war birds.
Entry is free and MPSC is also offering free sites for local businesses, clubs and groups to put up stalls.
