VOLUNTEER
Since its inception, volunteers have been the lifeblood of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, committing thousands of hours of dedicated service to help the museum’s transformation become a reality.
The museum’s volunteer force is not only composed of engineers, former members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, bush pilots, professional airplane mechanics, but also retired teachers, administrators, customer service reps, technicians, photographers, public speakers, and people who share a passion for exploring, preserving, and sharing aviation history.
Our volunteer teams work seamlessly with museum staff and have contributed to nearly all areas of operations within the museum. Volunteers are critical to the museum’s mission to preserve and promote the stories of aviation in western and northern Canada while educating, entertaining, and inspiring.
For existing volunteers
For new volunteers
AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES
All volunteers must show valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a satisfactory result of a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search (at no cost to the volunteer). Volunteer opportunities for individuals under 18 are currently limited to those a part of a recognized work experience program.
The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada seeks to honour and commemorate the history of Indigenous Peoples and aviation in Western Canada while engaging with the complex history of travel, trade, and relationships in this place. We are committed to the calls to actions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and facilitating a safe space for reconciliation to occur.
The new home of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is located on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Lakota and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.
We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Volunteering at Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (RAMWC) is located in an 86,000 sq. ft facility located on the James A. Richardson International Airport campus in Winnipeg, Manitoba. RAMWC is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the history of aviation in Western Canada. The museum showcases 25 aircraft and many unique aviation artefacts from its collection, presented from a story-driven approach.
We are a fun, social, and educative place to work and volunteer. Our team is dedicated to sharing our passion of aviation with Manitoba, Canada and the rest of the world. We are looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic, energetic and ready to assist us on our mission to preserve and promote the stories of aviation in western and northern Canada while educating, entertaining and inspiring. We offer our volunteers many fun opportunities to explore Canadian aviation and share their unique experiences.
If you’re interested in one of our volunteer opportunities, please register below or contact Leslie Stewart at 204-786-0404.
CONTACT
If you’re interested in becoming a RAMWC volunteer, contact Leslie Stewart or register here.
Leslie Stewart
Volunteer and HR Coordinator
1 (204) 786-0404
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
DANIEL DUONG
Daniel started with us in August of 2021 as part of our aircraft move-in and cleaning team. He wanted to gain some volunteer experience and learn more about aircraft.
“I am grateful to be part of the team to help open a new home for this museum because when I’ll look back, 10 years or so from now, I can say to people: ‘I and the great team of people at RAMWC helped build this great new museum,’ and appreciate it.”
DANIEL DUONG
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Bill Brereton and Lorraine Iverach
Today we’re shining a spotlight on Bill Brereton and Lorraine Iverach, two of our archival volunteers.
Bill and Lorraine are part of the team that has digitized and created a database for our collection of more than 40,000 black-and-white photographs. This work proved invaluable when it came to developing the exhibits for our new museum.
Now they, and their fellow archival volunteers Dave Mork and Wayne Adams, are working on a new project: archiving all our colour photos that go back as far as the 1960s.
FUN FACT: Bill and Lorraine are both certified divers and were involved in the search and recovery of one of our aircraft, the Ghost of Charron Lake.
Thank you, Bill and Lorraine!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Marsh Pettitt
Marsh Pettitt, a volunteer with RAMWC since 2018, has had an exciting career in aviation.
Starting with his station in the Canadian Air Force at Trenton, Marsh moved on to fly helicopter search and rescue missions with the US Coast Guard and then was a flight instructor in Moose Jaw, flying a Tutor. Marsh was also a Hercules pilot for 10 years and an F18 fighter jet for another five years.
Now, Marsh’s passion is restoring aircraft. He’s pictured here with the Sabre MK6 he brought out of storage in St. Andrews and towed to the plaza at RAMWC. He’ll be leading the crew in restoring the aircraft in time for the RCAF centennial in 2024.
Thank you for all your hard work, Marsh!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Dave Mork
Dave has been a volunteer with RAMWC for over 40 years. For the past 20, Dave has been digitizing and cataloging archival photos. His expertise is identifying people and planes from black and white photos donated to our collection.
Dave also gives to our community by building amazing kiddie planes, like the F18 Hornet seen in the photo. Dave has donated several ride-on toys for our young visitors to enjoy in our Aviation Plaza.
Growing up in the remote community of Red Lake in Northern Ontario, Dave learned to be resourceful and has always been busy with projects. Inspired by the bush planes of his youth, he decided to get his private pilot’s license at age 48 and he flew for 20 years.
Dave is also a talented painter! When he was working as a technical service manager at the Mint in Winnipeg, he took up painting to relieve stress and he’s been painting ever since.
Dave, you are an inspiration to us!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Don Buie
Don has been a volunteer with RAMWC since 2021 when he joined our move-in and aircraft cleaning crew. These days, you’ll most often find him behind our ticketing desk.
Don is a former air traffic controller and aircraft refueler and held a multitude of positions with Hudson General Aviation Services.
FUN FACT — A lifelong Harley Davidson rider, Don has visited 50 states (including Alaska!) by motorcycle.
Thanks for all you do, Don!
