The final report of this year’s event -  a partnership between Vintage Fighter Restorations, Scone Aero Club, Pay’s Air Service, Paul Bennet Airshows and Upper Hunter Shire Council - was presented to Upper Hunter Shire Council last week.

About 6000 people attended the event, many coming from outside the shire, benefiting local businesses.

The cost of staging Warbirds Over Scone was $262,800 with total revenue of $239,736, including $113,886 from ticket sales.

Upper Hunter Shire mayor Wayne Bedggood said the next Warbirds Over Scone event was likely to return a profit in 2020.

“The feedback from this year’s event was excellent and we expect ‘word of mouth’ to bring more people in 2020,” he said.

“It is 15 years since the airshow was held in Scone so advertising was a substantial cost.

“Overall council invested $23,064 in an event, which has enormous potential.

“The Upper Hunter Shire has an exciting future as a destination for aviation enthusiasts, young and old.

“The 2018 figures also don’t include the money visitors spent in the region while here for the airshow.”

Cr Bedggood thanked all the sponsors including Bengalla Mining Company’s Community Development Fund who provided $50,000 to help to showcase the region to a greater number of visitors.

Some of our other sponsors were Aero Refuellers who provided in kind costs of fuel, Pays Air Service who contributed in kind aircraft services, media partners NBN News, Fairfax Media, The Scone Advocate and radio stations Power FM and 2NM, Scone Motor Inn, Russley Rural Retreat, Isis Motel, TAFE NSW, The Aberdeen Highland Games, AAA Portable Grandstand Hire, Jack McIntyre Upper Hunter Sound and Audio Hire, Godolphin, Saunders Motor Group, Two Rivers Hunter Valley Wines, The Event Storeroom, Paddock to Pantry, The Thoroughbred Hotel, The Cottage Scone, Tilse’s Apple Truck Cider, Scone Outdoors, RMS Services, Hunter Belle Dairy and Oz Craft.