Connections Archive

Christel Price
Editorial intern

Avondale College students are needed to help restore for permanent exhibition a light aeroplane that has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church over 21 years.

The Andrew Stewart is the first aeroplane owned by any division of the worldwide church--the church in the South Pacific would go on to buy it four times and sell it three times. Dedicated at Bankstown Airport in Sydney in June 1964, the aeroplane flew 5000 hours without a single accident or insurance claim during its service, mostly in remote areas of Papua New Guinea. It became a static display in November 1987, mounted on a pedestal at church pioneer Ellen White's former home, "Sunnyside," and the adjoining South Sea Islands Museum in Cooranbong.

"We currently have a number of former pilots helping, but what we need are students who will be willing to help and commit to the restoration process," says Rose-lee Power, curator of the Lake Macquarie campus-based Adventist Heritage Centre. The centre is responsible for managing the South Sea Islands Museum, home to the Andrew Stewart from November 1987 to July 2008--the date the aeroplane came down from its pedestal. "It was in bad shape," says Rose-lee. "We were worried it would keep deteriorating."

Only the shell of the aeroplane remains. The plan is to strip it back, repaint it and then rebuild it for static display, but this time under a roof. "We need young people who can do the work," says Rose-lee. "It will be a fun job with great advantages as students will get to learn a lot from pilots who have flown the plane."

Rose-lee encourages students to volunteer one morning or afternoon a week for a semester. Contact her by phoning 4980 2133 or 4980 2313 or by emailing heritage@avondale.edu.au for more information or to express your interest.

Caption: Anders Svensson (left), retired minister and pilot Pastor Len Barnard (centre) and Lowell Tischler (right) volunteer to restore the Andrew Stewart.
Credit: Ann Stafford