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ABF EXECUTIVE REPORTS	ABF OFFICERS REPORTS	REGIONAL REPS REPORTS


Dateline 19.08.08 4 PILOTS WILL REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AT THE 18th FAI WORLD HOT AIR BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP IN HOFKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA Competition balloons landing on an evening flight during the 2007 Pre-Worlds also held in Hofkirchen. Australia's team for the World Championship is Paul Gibbs, Sean Kavanagh, Edwin Michell and Les Springett. Two of our representatives, Paul and Les, will get some practice flying and local familiarisation by participating in the invitational Primagaz Heissluftballonwoche Pre-Weltmeisterschaft based at the nearby palace of Schloss Schielleiten beside the Stubenbergsee (Lake Stubenberg). This event will take place in early September, the week before the World Championship. The magnificent Baroque palace of Schloss Schielleiten, main launch field for the invitational Primagaz Heissluftballonwoche. The World Championship is being held from 13 - 21 September, 2008. 101 balloon teams from 33 countries will participate. As well as the competitors, 50 Fiesta balloons will fly each morning and evening. Australia also has one Fiesta pilot in this event, former World Champion Peter Vizzard. Australia will also have a senior competition official, Steve Ireland. The Stubenbergsee from the Kulm with Schloss Schielleiten and Hofkirchen bei Hartberg in the background. To keep up to date with the World Championship news visit: www.balloon2008.com
Dateline 19.08.08 AUSTRALIAN BALLOONING LONG JUMP SEASON HAS COMMENCED The Great Australian Ballooning Long Jump is on again this year. The 2008 Long Jump is being conducted between 1 July and 30 September and is being hosted by the Balloon Association of Victoria on behalf of the Australian Ballooning Federation. The Rules and Pilot Report Forms are available from the LONG JUMP page on this website. There is still time to fly a Long Jump for a great ballooning experience!
Date line 06.05.08 AUSTRALIA POST HONOURS THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF AUSTRALIAN BALLOONING The 150th Anniversary of the first successful flight of a balloon in Australia has been celebrated by the issue of special stamps by Australia Post. The four stamps are available in a card entitled "Up, Up and Away", (above), a First Day Cover and a Design Set. Well worth the small expense for balloonists and available over the counter at all Post Offices as a Commemorative Collection. The honour of being the first to fly a balloon in Australia belongs to William Dean, who successfully flew 13 kilometres across Melbourne on 1 February, 1858. He followed up his triumph by flying across Sydney Harbour in December 1858. The Balloon Association of Victoria celebrated the day by dressing in 19th. Century clothing and holding a breakfast in a park near the original 1858 launch site, where Club balloons were tethered. A special Commemorative Medallion has been struck by BAV.