10
December 2003
On Friday, 12 December, 2003 at 11:00 a.m., Canberra officials
will meet Owen Ellis, Vice President - Asia, of the World Hovercraft
Federation, and Sam Waugh of the Australian Hovercraft Federation,
to embark in two Renegade hovercraft to explore Lake Burley Griffin
and the Molonglo River in preparation for HoverWorld Expo 2004. Canberra officials invited to participate in the exploration
include Robert Neil, Assistant Manager, Environment ACT; the
Australian Federal Water Police; the National Capital Authority;
the Royal Aeronautical Society, Canberra Branch; and the National
Science and Technology Centre.
The media are invited to meet with the group at 11 a.m. Friday
12 December at the tip of Black Mountain Peninsula, where they
will be available for interviews and photographs.
The purpose of the exploration is to familiarize Canberra officials
with the distinctive features of hovercraft, to determine the
course of the World's First International Hovercraft Endurance
Race on Lake Burley Griffin, and to survey the Molonglo River
for the 2nd World Hovercraft Cruise. Both events are part of
HoverWorld Expo 2004, coming to Canberra 28 Dec. 2004 – 3
Jan. 2005 in commemoration of the World's First Hovercraft Race,
held on Lake Burley Griffin March 14, 1964.
A nationwide search is currently underway in Australia to locate
the pilots and crews of the 11 hovercraft who competed in the
1964 race. They will be invited to participate in a special "Pioneer's
Race" during HoverWorld Expo 2004.
HoverWorld Expo 2004 Chairman, Chris Fitzgerald, was a participant
in the 1964 World's First Hovercraft Race. Born and educated
in Australia, Fitzgerald is now President of US-based Neoteric
Hovercraft, Inc. and Chairman of the World Hovercraft Organization.
For more information, contact:
Steven Baldwin
Australian Capital Tourism
Phone: 612-6205-0729
Mobile: 614-0882-4179
Email: Steven.Baldwin@act.gov.au
Owen Ellis
Mobile: 614-1135-0634
Chris Fitzgerald
Email: hovermail@NeotericHovercraft.com
Phone: 812-234-1120
Web sites: www.hoverworldexpo.com
.....................www.worldhovercraft.org
.....................www.neoterichovercraft.com
Background information:
Owen Ellis:
- Flight Engineer Boeing 747 Qantas
- Design Director, RevTech Hovercraft
- Vice President – Asia, World Hovercraft Federation
- Past President, World Hovercraft Federation
- Past President, Australian Hovercraft Federation
- Hovercraft racer; competitor in all World Hovercraft Championship
since 1989 (except 1991)
- Resident of Lake Illawarra, NSW and Melbourne, Vic
Sam Waugh:
- 20-year hovercraft enthusiast
- Active supporter of Australian Hovercraft racing team
- Father of two-time World Hovercraft racing champion, Rob Waugh
- Resident of Lake Illawarra, NSW
|