FUTURE GEELONG: Avalon Airshow is giving local businesses time to shine

Avalon Airshow organisers have embraced a new program that promises to showcase local businesses

The Avalon Australian International Airshow in 2023

A new program at this year’s Avalon International Airshow will showcase local businesses as the organisation embraces community and connection.

The airshow organisers, AMDA, have created the “Geelong Is Home” program, designed to highlight local businesses by creating airshow-themed promotions throughout the month of March.

It includes promotions and partnerships with local accommodation, hospitality and tourism businesses such as Flying Brick Cider Co and Jack Rabbit – the event’s official cider and wine partners.

Justin Giddings, the chief executive of the Geelong-based AMDA Foundation which organises the airshow, said engaging with the local community was central to the airshow.

“The sheer scale of Avalon means we can’t do the event without great support from the community,” said Mr Giddings.

“We are proud of the Avalon Australian International Airshow, and Geelong should be, too.”

The Avalon Australian International Airshow in 2023

Held on 28-30 March, the event will bring in 850 industry exhibitors from across the globe, and is expected to see almost a quarter of a million attendees.

The event has flow-on benefits for the local economy. A report from the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research showed that the 2023 event injected around $240m into Victoria’s economy, $24m of which directly benefited Geelong.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the airshow was a “major defence event”, with defence being something that could bring Geelong to wider industry and economic connections.

“I think it’s something which is now emerging,” he said.

“There actually is a history in terms of defence industry out at Avalon. Our Classic Hornets were assembled in Avalon when they first came into operation in our air force.”

The Avalon Australian International Airshow in 2023

AMDA have pitched that airshow as a place where a start-up company with “a great idea” can be noticed by big contractors looking for game-changing technologies.

One of the future-forward technologies at this year’s airshow is the Gaseous Hydrogen Optimised Small Unmanned Aerial System Trial drone, GHOST for short.

The GHOST drone has a 5m wingspan and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, which makes it capable of taking off without a conventional airstrip.

Adriano Di Pietro, the director of Swinburne University’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub responsible for GHOST, said he saw a “uniquely Australian context” for the drone, particularly to be able to go to remote and regional communities.

It is propelled by hydrogen, make the drone lighter and tripling the range of what a battery-only drone could travel.

Mr Di Pietro said the world-first drone shows that a zero emissions, fully electric aircraft could be competitive.

He said he was attending the airshow because “Avalon is where Australia’s aviation and aero industry come together”.

“What we’re doing to try to work towards decarbonised aviation, that’s a great way for us to come together with the industry to showcase what we can do.”

The airshow presents an opportunity for future forward technologies

But, of course, it is not just industry. The airshow welcome the general public to connect with aviation, aerospace and space industries.

It shows aircraft from new supersonic stealth fighter jets to satellites and space vehicles.

The showcase brought in over 240,000 visitors in 2023, which led to reports of four-hour long traffic jams.

This year the airshow has “all new transport options” to avoid the congestion chaos of the 2023 event.

They have introduced park and ride options: one in Sutcliffe Reserve in Corio and another on Beach Rd in Point Wilson.

Shuttle buses from Avalon Airport and the park and ride locations are hoped to simplify the transit options.

With community and connection at the heart of the event, Mr Giddings said: “We look forward to welcoming you at Avalon 2025.”

Originally published as FUTURE GEELONG: Avalon Airshow is giving local businesses time to shine