By Charlene Macaulay
A 30-year dream to turn the B24 Liberator Memorial into an accredited museum has finally been realised.
The memorial, which is located at the Werribee Satellite Aerodrome, has officially gained accreditation by Museums Australia (Victoria), making it one of 76 Victorian museums.
The B24 Liberator Memorial was established in 1988 by a group of ex-RAAF personnel who wanted to create a memorial to honour air and ground crews involved in B24 operations in Australia during WWII.
Secretary Judy Gilbert said volunteers had spent the past three decades sourcing parts and painstakingly restoring an Australian B24 Liberator long-range heavy bomber. It is the world’s only surviving B-24MR model.
The museum also includes a treasure trove of photos, books and personal memorabilia dated from the late 1930s through to 1947 that provides an insight into what pilots and crews experienced during war.
Ms Gilbert said the team was currently working on the interior hydraulics and electrics, but would need a bigger hanger to complete the restoration due to the plane’s wingspan.
She said the team was thrilled by the accreditation, which had been a goal since the memorial’s inception. About 3000 visitors come through the doors each year.
Wyndham council tourism and major events portfolio holder John Gibbons congratulated the group on its achievement.
“The founders of the B24 Liberator Memorial had always envisioned that it would be formally recognised as a museum, so it is my pleasure to congratulate all of the volunteers behind this project on achieving this goal,” Mr Gibbons said.
