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Latrobe Regional Airport joins LatrobeFirst campaign

Two members of the Latrobe Regional Airport community, the Latrobe Regional Airport Board and its anchor tenant Gippsland Aeronautics, became the latest groups to join the LatrobeFirst campaign on Tuesday.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 20th April 2004 - Back to News

At a celebratory signing at the Airport, Airport Board Chairman Richard Hancock and Gippsland Aeronautics Board Chairman Gary Wight accompanied by Board members and staff of the two organisations, emphasised the great things the Latrobe Valley has to offer.

Mr Hancock said he was absolutely delighted when the Airport Board and Gippsland Aeronautics agreed jointly to get involved in the LatrobeFirst campaign.

"The relationship between the Airport Board and Gippsland Aeronautics is not just one of landlord and tenant. The relationship is a genuine partnership which brings benefits for both organisations and for the wider Latrobe Valley community," Mr Hancock said.

Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Darrell White, said the Airport Board’s and Gippsland Aeronautics’ support for LatrobeFirst demonstrated that there was enthusiasm for the campaign across all sectors of the Latrobe Valley.

"Becoming an ambassador is open to all. A major focus of the LatrobeFirst campaign is to engage residents of Latrobe. The fact that the Airport Board and Gippsland Aeronautics are joining up demonstrates their commitment to the region and we hope that many other businesses, local organisations and people will join as LatrobeFirst Ambassadors," Cr White said.

Mr Hancock said the involvement of Gippsland Aeronautics as ambassadors with LatrobeFirst demonstrated the capacity of the campaign to raise the profile of the Latrobe region in international circles.

"Gippsland Aeronautics has developed a considerable share of world markets with its exports of locally produced commercial aircraft, highlighting the innovation and expertise existing here in the Latrobe Valley," Mr Hancock said.

Gippsland Aeronautics’ Board Chairman, Gary Wight, said Gippsland Aeronautics is producing GA 8 AirVans at a rate of one every nine working days and selling them throughout Australia and New Zealand and worldwide.

"AirVans can be found in Africa and the USA and we are now developing the UK and European markets," Mr Wight explained.

Mr Hancock said Gippsland Aeronautics’ success and other initiatives taking place at the Airport sent a clear message to others in the aviation and allied industries that significant opportunities exist in Latrobe.

"The Airport Board’s ‘AirPark’ development is already creating interest throughout Australia. The opportunity for aviation businesses and fliers to locate in a dedicated aviation community at Latrobe Regional Airport is visionary, innovative and exciting for many in the Australian aviation industry. Even at this early stage, the AirPark is opening new links between the Latrobe Valley and aviators throughout Australia," Mr Hancock said.

"Becoming LatrobeFirst ambassadors is a natural step for the Airport Board and Gippsland Aeronautics to take. The Board’s AirPark and Gippsland Aeronautics’ AirVan are both practical business products which visibly demonstrate that the Latrobe Valley is a surprising, substantial and sophisticated community which is embarking on a vibrant future," Mr Hancock concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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