21 July 2009

Adventist Aviation Association takes to the skies

Moree, New South Wales
Beth Miller

Adventist Aviation Association (AAA) has once again taken to the skies after being grounded for some time. Pilot Gary Fraser, Avondale education students Shona Clarke and Amy Thompson, and AAA president Pastor John Kosmeier visited Moree on May 16 aboard a Cessna 182.

A twin-engine Cessna 310 once owned by AAA carried out its last mission in May 2001, when it visited Lightning Ridge and Bourke. It was then flown to Victoria and sold in February 2002.

In answer to a medical need in Bourke, Pastor Sid Griffith borrowed a single-engine Beechcraft Musketeer from Cessnock in September 2004. All subsequent ministry trips until this year were made on the road and took the form of Signs of the Times distribution in Scone and Merriwa, as well as health screenings at annual agricultural shows in Coonabarabran, Bourke, Dorrigo, Gunnedah and Merriwa.

Financial assessment showed it was more cost effective to own and maintain a plane, rather than hire a bus or plane, this year.

This came as AAA heard of their help being needed at Moree, where Eti Luapene is caring for a number of children, many of whom are Indigenous. On the visit to Moree, the plane crew joined in Sabbath school study and Pastor Kosmeier preached the sermon. After a group lunch, discussions were held to discover the needs of the church members and how AAA could help.

This has led to AAA planning more regular trips to Moree and other towns in the western part of the state. They will offer assistance and maintain a presence there once a month, with possible plans to increase visits to a weekly basis.

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