‘Wings’- Air Force Association’s national magazine

You will recall in my last open letter to all members I advised that our Wings magazine will be published by RAAFANSW Publications Pty Ltd (RAAFAPubs) ,the small, not-for-profit publishing company that is wholly owned by our NSW Division. Its first edition will be Winter 2019.

The current publisher’s contract expires in March 2019 and the Association was looking to acquire a ‘fresh face’ to the magazine and derive revenue from its publication, which can help fund veteran and family support services. Given RAAFAPubs is an established and very capable publishing company whose directors are all Association members, it seemed reasonable to have the company publish the magazine and provide the Association with potential revenue that could not be acquired from the existing publisher.

RAAFAPubs is no novice in magazine publishing.  The company has been in the business for four years and currently publishes three high quality ‘Welcome’ magazine/handbooks for each of the RAAF bases at Edinburgh, Richmond & Glenbrook and Williamtown. These publications, which are applauded by RAAF members and their families, can be viewed on line at http://www.raafapublications.org.au  RAAFAPubs’ senior editor is Ms Sandy McPhee, who has edited the ‘Welcome ‘ handbooks for the past three years and has 30 years’ experience in newspaper and magazine editing and publishing. Sandy will be assisted by Mr Mike Nelmes, an aviation history specialist with an impressive CV in Air Force and aviation history. Have no doubts that RAAFAPubs will produce a quality magazine for us.

Rumour has it that, under the new arrangement with RAAFAPubs, the Association will be making significant changes to the structure of Wings, apparently to focus only on supporting veterans and their families.  This is simply not true. The new Wings content and format will be very similar to that of the present magazine. However, readers will notice a change in style and the addition (rather than deletion) of some subject areas and features not previously covered.

The Association’s overall objective is to enhance the appeal of Wings, not only to our current Air Force Association members, but also to potential members, including currently serving personnel. I’m personally looking forward to our new Wings magazine that will play an important public relations role for us as we seek to grow our membership. It will also improve our finances.

Carl Schiller

National President