Memorial wall to honour Wānaka aviators

Some very special aviators with close ties to Wānaka Airport will be honoured on a new memorial wall being developed by a group of volunteers.

Former Warbirds Over Wānaka commentator and museum director, Ian Brodie, said it was important to remember those who had been lost, from WWII veterans to senior conservation workers and young helicopter pilots, all of whose losses are still deeply felt in the community.

At least 30 pilots and others will be featured, the majority of whom also contributed to the development of Wānaka and its airport.

Anyone with a family member who they would like included, were invited to submit their names to the group, Brodie said.

The idea was originally mooted by former Wānaka Airport manager, Ralph Fegan, who is working with Ian and Jools Hall, to make it a reality. Jools and late husband Dave founded Skydive Lake Wānaka in 1995.

The circular wall was designed and built by a local stonemason and funded by Queenstown Airport Corporation on behalf of Wānaka Airport.

Located in front of Crosswinds Café at the airport, it will feature name plaques and QR codes linking to short biographies and a memorial book on the Wānaka Airport website.

The wall would bring together those already memorialised at various locations around the airport.

“It’s a beautiful and permanent space at Wānaka Airport which holds so many memories and history,” Jools said.

The project, which had been many years in the making, is expected to be officially opened next year.

Anybody who would like more information about this memorial are asked to contact Jools Hall, Ralph Fegan or Ian Brodie.

Main image: Ralph Fegan and Jools Hall at the Wānaka Airport memorial wall.