Murray Cleverley
Timaru businessman Murray Cleverley has been appointed
chairman of Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust, replacing
Garth Hogan, of Wanaka, who has retired.
Mr Cleverley has been a trustee since the trust's inception
in 2006.
Former Wanaka Community Board chairman Bill Gordon, now
living in Omarama, remains the deputy chairman.
He did not seek the chairmanship and supports Mr Cleverley's
appointment.
Mr Cleverley is a professional director and business
consultant and a director of the New Zealand Chambers of
Commerce.
He lived in Wanaka for a time, owns a houseboat and was a
former partner in the Dough Bin bakery.
Mr Cleverley said in a media release yesterday the 2010
airshow was shaping up well.
"We are expecting record numbers with the superb line-up of
aircraft and exhibits in the offing," he said.
Event manager Mandy Deans said yesterday about 90% of the air
programme had been confirmed, and an "exciting" new exhibit
from overseas was nearly signed off.
However, details could not be released until all arrangements
were secure.
Mrs Deans expected to be able to start "drip-feeding"
information out to the community from next month.
Mrs Deans also said ticket sales were ahead of expectations
for this time of the year.
Next year's airshow will include a regional wine and food
festival.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has also confirmed its
attendance along with its aerobatic team, the Red Checkers.
Also on the 2010 programme is a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, which
will be firing all six machine guns in an historic
re-enactment of attacks on shipping and airfields in the
Solomon Islands.
Mrs Deans also visited the Avalon 2009 airshow in Australia
earlier this year and has been encouraging exhibitors at that
event, as well as the Royal Australian Air Force, to consider
coming to Wanaka.
The Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust was formed in 2006
to continue the work of airshow founder and patron Sir Tim
Wallis (70), whose Alpine Deer Group of companies was heavily
involved in organising earlier shows.
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