AMDA Foundation Limited is the successor to a distinguished tradition which spans more than four decades.
Its genesis can be traced back to 1976, with the commencement of the series of seven spectacular Schofields Air Shows held by Schofields Flying Club in north western Sydney between 1976 and 1985.
In recognition of the strength of the Air Show organisation it had established, Schofields Flying Club was appointed by the Australian Bicentennial Authority to conduct the Australian Bicentennial Air Show as the “aviation centrepiece” of the Bicentennial celebrations in 1988.
Held with support from the Royal Australian Air Force at Richmond Air Base (NSW) in October 1988, the Australian Bicentennial Air Show was an outstanding success and regarded as one of the best air shows in the world during 1988.
As a lasting legacy of the collaborative achievement by Schofields Flying Club Limited and the Royal Australian Air Force at Richmond, Schofields Flying Club established the not-for-profit Aerospace Foundation of Australia Limited in 1989 with a substantial endowment from funds generated by the Australian Bicentennial Air Show. And, thus, AirShows DownUnder was born.
The Australian Bicentennial Air Show was followed in 1991 by the RAAF 70th Anniversary Air Show, also at Richmond, conducted by Aerospace Australia Limited in collaboration with the RAAF.
At the invitation of the Victorian Government, AirShows DownUnder then moved to Victoria. Aerospace Australia Limited staged the first Australian International Air Show at Avalon Airport (near Geelong, Victoria) in 1992. Held biennially, there have been 14 air shows in the series so far at Avalon.
Strongly supported by the RAAF, the Avalon Air Show is recognised as one of the world’s great air shows and is a hallmark major event for Victoria and an event of international significance for the nation. In 2021, the next Australian International Air Show and Aerospace & Defence Exposition will be the celebratory centrepiece of the Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Since 1991, the organisation’s mission has broadened and (while remaining the “signature” event in the program), the biennial Avalon Air Show has been joined by other major and internationally acclaimed industry-focused events, including the biennial Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney (conducted with support from the Royal Australian Navy) and the biennial Land Forces International Defence Exposition in Brisbane (with support from the Australian Army).
Over the last three decades, the organisation has undergone major transformation. It has evolved from an almost entirely volunteer organisation into a professionally-managed group of not-for-profit public companies, but it steadfastly retains its deeply-embedded sense of altruistic purpose and continues to rely on the major contribution made by its large team of enthusiastic volunteers, particularly for the Avalon Air Show.
During this period also, the organisation’s mission has broadened considerably and it has consolidated its relationship with stakeholders and the positioning of its events.
In 2000, Aerospace Foundation of Australia Limited expanded its charter and established two not-for-profit specialist operational subsidiaries – Maritime Australia Limited and Aerospace Australia Limited. To reflect their extended objectives, the Foundation changed its name to Aerospace Maritime Defence and Security Foundation of Australia Limited.
The name of Maritime Australia Limited was then changed to Industry Defence and Security Australia Limited.
All three corporations share a common mission and are not-for-profit organisations registered under the Australian Charities and Not- for-profits Commission Act.
Aerospace Australia Limited is well known for the biennial Australian International Air Show and Aerospace & Defence Exposition which it conducts at Avalon. Its corporate sibling, Industry Defence and Security Australia Limited, is widely recognised for the conduct of the biennial Pacific International Maritime Exposition and the biennial Land Forces International Defence Exposition.
Building on its development of the years, the organisation is now embarking on a new era.
Through its events, a powerful partnership has been created in the national interest. The vision is for Australia to be strongly positioned as a nation at the forefront of aviation, aerospace, maritime, defence and security, with leading-edge resources and capabilities in industry, manufacturing and information/communications technology throughout the Indo- Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
The mission is to take Australia to the World by bringing the World to Australia.
The connections, commonalities and synergies between the aerospace, maritime, defence, security and aviation sectors give rise to opportunities for the development of Australia’s resources and capabilities, the expansion of exports and economic growth, and, critically, the strength and security of the nation.
Interaction and engagement between industry, business, government, defence, academic and research institutions and the community are fundamental to the encouragement of innovation and enterprise, the building of resilience, the creation of economic strength and the informed development of policy, strategy and capability.
To best achieve these objectives, Aerospace Australia Limited changed its name to AMDA Foundation Limited and the group’s operations and resources were consolidated into a single ongoing corporate entity. Embracing the decades of proud tradition it has inherited, AMDA now conducts all events and activities formerly undertaken within the group.
One mission, one organisation. AMDA will take Australia to the World by bringing the World to Australia.
