MAAA Wingspan

14 15 In order to welcome newmembers and open their gates to the wider community, Club Secretary, Marcel Cazaly said it was important to continue to keep their field and neighbouring properties safe, especially from fires. Marcel said this involved regularly cutting the outer field grass, though unfortunately continually borrowing a club member’s tractor just wasn’t proving functional on a regular basis. “A club member was kindly letting us borrow their tractor to slash the grass in our outer field, but it was hard to transport,” said Marcel. “Unfortunately, it was damaged while slashing our outer field. We decided it would be worth our while to apply for the MAAA Club Assistance Scheme to try to purchase one of our own.” The club was delighted to receive most of the money for the tractor which, during the recent dry weather and severe and extreme fire dangers, has kept them safe and avoided the field being a complete fire hazard. “Any long grass in these dry conditions can catch alight and could be almost impossible to control. The tractor slashes the grass and keeps our club safe for members, our neighbours and the community who want to come down and see what we are all about,” said Marcel. The Club has had a successful 2019 having hosted a round of the F5J Championships for electric gliders - which was the last round for the QLD Challenge series in October 2019, as well as regular scanner racing, which has attracted pilots from the Gold Coast as well as northern Brisbane. They have also hosted a number of Come-and-Try days where they have welcomed the local and wider community to come to the club and learn from the members, while experiencing the thrill and excitement of aeromodelling. A new decade brings new opportunities to create more exposure for the club and for Marcel and his members, the skies the limit with their clubhouse (which includes showers and toilets) nearing completion. “We are in the planning phase but hope to host a ladies’ day where we invite the wives of our members to come down and have a fly and enjoy a day, just for the women. We will also invite women from the local community. We hope it will encourage females into the sport,” he said. The annual Club Assistance Scheme has been designed to give members access to financial assistance and support so you can enjoy the adrenalin rush of the sport with the best facilities and flying fields. WARWICK AERO MODELLERS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON BEING A CLUB THAT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AND CREATE EXPOSURE FOR AEROMODELLING Warwick Aero Modellers Club reaps rewards of Club Assistance Scheme MAAALogo. Some further images from the Townsville Radio Aeronautical Control Society (TRACS) who are celebrating their 50th year this year...