Casula Powerhouse takes Flight in 2023
Image: Model of Nancy Bird Walton's Leopard Moth aircraft 1933. Image: MAAS Museum
Casual Powerhouse will launch a six month long exhibition in January 2023, capturing human fascination with air travel through history and into the near future.
The exhibition, aptly named Flight, is a multi-faceted event with a series of activities, displays, workshops and more, all integrating the theme of “flight”.
At the forefront, the exhibition pays tribute to pioneering Australian aviator, Nancy Bird Walton (16 October 1915 – 13 January 2009). Born with the auspicious surname of “Bird” (Walton was her married name) Nancy Bird Walton had always wanted to fly and took lesson in 1933 at the age of 18. Thanks to an inheritance and some money borrowed from her father, Walton bought a plane when she was 19 and went on a “barnstorming tour”, that is, a series of show-flying events across the country.
During her career as a pilot, Walton helped set up an air ambulance service, won several air races, trained air force pilots and founded the Australian Women Pilot’s Association. The new international airport being built at Badgery’s Creek is named in her honour.
Flight will preview the new Nancy Bird Walton Airport and Aerotropolis at Badgerys Creek, due for completion in 2026.
The exhibition also features varied works from established Australian and local artists all themed around air travel. The range includes installations, performance, mixed media, models, photography and even drone-racing.
One of the quirky highlights is the collection of Barbie and Ken dolls dressed in an historical timeline of Qantas uniforms, donated to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) by John Willmott-Potts. The former cook and flight steward with Qantas hand-made the miniature costumes across a span of 24 years.
“It’s a chance of a lifetime to look at air travel from a fascinating new perspective,” said Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun.
