expenditure, after teacher salaries. Atlas, Inc. hopes to add this project to our global portfolio by 2026. Merredin Aerodrome Merredin aerodrome was leased under a 100-year lease arrangement by China Southern West Australian Flying College (CSWAFC), a Western Australian Joint Venture Company owned by China Southern Airlines (China) and CAE Inc. (Canada) and was used as one of two pilot training facilities until September 2016. CSWAFC also operated, and continues to operate from Jandakot Airport in Perth. Merredin airport was leased for the sum of AU$1 with the state government banking that investment would follow. The partnership in the years since has been successful. Upgraded facilities include bitumen runways, an operations viewing platform (which does not fulfil the regulatory requirements of a control tower), fire control equipment, hangars, classrooms, and housing. Although the aerodrome is leased by China Southern West Australian Flying College, the RFDS and private users still have access. As of September 2016, the training school suspended operations in Merredin due to its inability to attract sufficient numbers of experienced staff with the appropriate regulatory approvals. Since then, issues have been raised over the leasehold arrangements. The Aerodrome was put up for sale in June 2021. Transport Merredin is located on the Eastern Goldfields Railway. Merredin serves as the middle stop of the Prospector train. At Merredin, the train stops for a scheduled 10 minutes, giving passengers a chance to stretch their legs. There, the train stewards disembark and serve the Prospector going back to Perth, so they never go any farther. The same is true for Kalgoorlie stewards, who disembark and get onto the Kalgoorlie train. It is also the terminus for the Merredinlink rural train service. Things to see Mangowine Homestead Notable people The following people were either born or raised in Merredin. Tully Bevilaqua née Crook – women's basketball player for Indiana Fever in the US and in Australia, Canberra Capitals Hendy Cowan – former leader of the National party and Member for Merredin Tony Crook – former National Party politician and member for O'Connor, RFDS executive officer Jeff Garlett – former Swan Districts and former now Carlton footballer Geoffrey Gibbs AM – actor, head of the WA Academy of Performing Arts, Chairman of Trustees for the International Foundation for Arts and Culture Rick Hart – businessman and public speaker, former President of Fremantle Football Club Robert Juniper – landscape artist Ken McAullay – former