Flights of Fancy

A group of Mayflower residents took flight to the RAAF Museum in Point Cook for a close encounter with some iconic aircraft from Australia’s military history.

The day started with lovely drive along the beach to Williamstown.  Residents were very excited it was their first time visit to the museum.

Point Cook is the birthplace of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), renamed to the Royal Australian Air Force, following its success in World War One. RAAF Base Point Cook was the Air Force's only base from 1912 to 1925, when RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Laverton were built.

Today, the RAAF Museum pays tribute to the history of the Air Force and houses an extensive collection of memorabilia and stories of Australia's military aviation expeditions.

Residents were warmly welcomed by the museum staff, before embarking on a leisurely stroll through the exhibits. With so much to see, time went quickly as they explored the fantastic collection of aircraft, missiles, medals, uniforms, and other collections.

Mayflower staff were on hand to assist less ambulant residents, and to help read some of the history about the planes, which was sometimes printed in small writing.

Lifestyle team member, Puneet, said the museum was well set up for residents to get up close and personal with the great collection of planes and memorabilia.

“There was so much to see, with planes dating back to the early 1900s,” he said. “Residents really enjoyed looking at the museum displays and then admiring those huge planes, helicopters and missiles.”  

After a spot of plane viewing alongside the tarmac where residents could watch young pilots training and practising, the group enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds of the RAAF base.

After a fully packed day at the museum, residents and the lifestyle team headed back to Mayflower Brighton, with a quick stop for a McDonalds soft serve cone!