The Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre has opened its doors again and has already seen a steady stream of visitors return to relive Nhill’s RAAF days over the last few weekends.

A vast selection of photos and memorabilia offer glimpses into the life of thousands of young men and women who had signed up to join the war effort during the early 1940’s. Barely out of school, they were training to be navigators and bomb aimers.

Private letters and memories of Nhill residents, however, show that it wasn’t all serious study over the weeks and months they spent there. The whole town made sure they enjoyed a full social life as well. Nhill was known as ‘the friendly base’ and its reputation went far and wide.

The Avro Anson, complete in camouflage colours, has only one wing to go before restoration is complete. The Wirraway, which flew in from Tyabb just over 2 years ago, the Tiger Moth and the Link Trainer (an original flight simulator) are all on display at the Centre. These examples of the main training aircraft used during Nhill’s RAAF days also illustrate how far aviation has come since then.

Above - Visitors hear the story of the Wirraway from volunteer Len Creek.

NAHC President Rob Lynch said that the Centre is the culmination of countless hours of volunteer contributions.

“The volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past 11 years to create a memorial to those brave young trainee aviators.

“All who passed through Nhill went on to other training bases and most were then sent overseas to join the front line. Many of them never returned. The Heritage Centre is our small way of saying thank you to them and their families.”
The Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and at other times by appointment.

Entry is $5, with members and children free. For more information call 0490 657 770.