New paragraph

New paragraph

New paragraph

1929  Feb 28th. Wing Commander Cole, RAAF Point Cook, inspected the Nhill Aerodrome to ascertain its suitability for simultaneous landings of squadrons of training aircraft.

1929  March 4th – 7th . Aero pageant for Back-to-Nhill celebrations. Sixteen aircraft visit Nhill for the occasion including 11 RAAF planes     . F/O OW Rennick was in charge of cadets from Point Cook. There were 3HD 9A bombers, 4 DH 9 and 4 DH Moths.

1929 April 11th. Plans for an Australian Derby from Sydney to Perth with Nhill planned as a landing place.

1929 May 5th. Aircrash.

1929. May 23rd . J.A. Mollison arrived from Adelaide with 6 aircraft. One crash-landed at old Dimboola road aerodrome instead of landing at New site at Halpin Park. 

1929. June 6th. Air service between Perth and Sydney planned with a stop at Nhill to be included.

1929. July 11th. Junkers first all-metal monoplane aircraft lands at Nhill piloted by Captain Mustard.

1929. Sept 30th. Radio Link for Sydney to Perth “Aerial Derby” established in Nhill and operated by Mr H R Brown of Yanac.

1929. October 1st. First aircraft in the Sydney to Perth aerial derby arrives after a turbulent flight.

1929 Oct 3 & 7. Air Race.

1929. Oct 10th. Councillors discussed establishing a permanent Government Aerodrome after a report presented by Mr E Bound

1930s

1930. March 20th. Ten Civil aircraft arrived at Nhill followed by an RAAF squadron the following day.

1930. March 21st. Adelaide – Nhill – Melbourne and return air service established by Direct Airways. Ticket dated 11^th April 1930 still held by Mr Fred Stephan.

1930. April 7th. Nhill was officially declared an official aerodrome at 2pm on 7^th April.

1930. June 26th. Amy Johnson arrived at 4pm promoting her solo flight from England. She was on her way to Perth and London and stayed with Youngs at Yetholm in Nelson St.

1930 Oct 28th. Horsham Times page 4  Nhill. Kingsford Smith invited.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/7061883

NHILL. Kingsford Smith Invited.

At the instance of Mr. F. K. McKenzie who brought the matter before the Lowan Shire Council at its last meeting, it was agreed to extend an invitation to Wing-Commander Kingsford Smith to visit Nhill in the event of the noted airman continuing his flight to Western Australia. Mr McKenzie referred to the visit of two former fliers in Bert. Hinkler and Miss Amy Johnson intimating that the presence of Kingsford Smith at Nhill would materially strengthen Nhill's claim as. a lending inland airport and retain its important position on the air charts.

1930. Dec 7th.  On Monday morning 6^th inst, an Armstrong Whitworth Biplane with 160 h.p. engine arrived in Nhill in charge of pilot H C Miller and HA Linnay (?) late AFC. The largest machine to visit Nhill. (Diamond Bird)

1931 Dec 16th. C.A. Butler and C. Battling arrived in Nhill from Mt. Gambier in a Comper Swift- Aircraft, smallest plane to come to Nhill, after completing the London to Australia flight, starting OCT 31st to NOV 9th.

1932 Mar 1st. Miss Nancy Stephenson accompanied by Ken Rice-Oxley arrived on route to Adelaide,

1932 May 5th . J.J.Thorpe arrived in Nhill on second stage of his around Australia solo flight.

1933 April 22nd. First Air Pageant. Admission Adults 1/6. Children 6d. Parachuting - Dog-Fighting - Aerobatics. 700 cars in car park. 4,000 people. Aircraft at Pageant were 3 Wapitis, 1 Gypsy Moth, 8 D.H. Moths, 1 Fokker Monoplane, 1 Avro Avion. Freda Thompson, Miller and others

.

1933 Nov 15th. 2.30 P.M. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith arrived in the Southern Cross accompanied by Mr. P. Hall in a Percival Gull "Miss Southern Cross". Many residents had flights in both the aircrafts.

1934 Mar 5th. First night flying exercise, Point Cook to Adelaide. Aircraft landed in Nhill, 3 de Havilland Moths. Led by S/Ld Summers.

1935 May 31st. Autogyro arrived in Nhill C30A Reg. No. VH USQ. Piloted by H.A. de Kantzow.

1935 Aug 6th. Australian Transcontinental Airlines Twin Engine Monospar landed in a paddock instead of the aerodrome by mistake and damaged the undercarriage and propeller.

1935 Sept 27th. 7 RAAF aircraft arrived on route to Perth from Point Cook. 3 Bristol Bulldogs and 4 Hawker Demons.

1935 Dec 14th. 7 RAAF aircraft from Laverton arrived. Also on 15^th and 16th Private aircraft arrived.

1936 Jan 5th. Jimmy Broadbent, an aviator of world standing, arrived in Nhill.

1936 Sept 25th. Two Royal South Australian Aero Club planes arrived. Air traffic increasing.

1936 Oct 27th. Leopard Moth flown by Mr F. Collins arrived from Brisbane, covering the distance in one day.

1936 Dec 2nd. Nancy Bird and her sister arrived and mentioned her intention to fly in the Brisbane-Adelaide Air Race. Keith Oldfield, local resident, one of the finalists in Berlie flying Scholarship.

1936 Dec 16th. 12 Hawker Demons arrived at Nhill en-route to Adelaide Adelaide Centenary Air Race.

1936 Dec 18th. 50 Aircraft refuelled at Nhill, a control point in the Brisbane-Adelaide Air Race. Nancy Bird, aged 21, landed at Nhill. Adelaide Centenary Air Race.

1937 Jan 1st. Mr. Jack Bennett of Dimboola injured in an emergency landing at Gerang. Amphibious Naval aircraft landed in Nhill after catapult launch from the HMAS Canberra,

1937 Feb.   Establishment of Meteorological Observation Station in Nhill.

1937 Apr 14th. Australian Airways de Havilland Rapide refuelled here on Perth-Sydney flight. 1937 Apr 19. Announcement of new aerodrome at present site after Government Survey and inspection by D.C.A.

1937 June 3rd. Announcement of Radio Communication Centre to be established in Nhill with Non Directional Beacon and Rotating Light

Beacon. Two Hawker Demons of RAAF returning from participating in aerial search, for Sir Herbert Gepp landed and stayed overnight.

1937 Sept 22nd. Australian Airways air-liner DC2 Kundoora refuelled at Nhill en route from Adelaide to Brisbane

1937 Sept 28th. Five Hawker Demons in Nhill on RAAF exercises.

1937 Oct 13th. Commencement of Radio Beacon construction by Johns and Waygood.

1937 Oct 21st . J. Quinn, a parachutist, is injured in a jump at Nhill Show

1937 Nov 4th . Tenders called for illuminating the boundary of the Nhill aerodrome

1937 Nov 18th. Council decision to write to D.C.A. complaining about Sunday flying, after display by Lieut. Reece on the previous Sunday.

1937 Dec 2nd . Two Avro Avions and a DH Rapide arrived in Nhill and remained overnight.

1938 Jan.  Model Glider Flying by Horsham and Nhill Model Aircraft Clubs. Wally Dahlitz and Max Carland keen members.

1938 Feb 20th. First plane to land on present Government aerodrome arrived after flying from Perth and encountering one of the worst dust storms here. The pilot was O. MacPherson, flying a DH Moth 50.

1938 Mar. The construction of power  lines to supply the aerodrome facilities was commenced.

1938 Mar 8th . Six Hawker Demons of the newly formed and trained West Australian Squadron arrived and refuelled by Williams Motors. Also accompanying flight was an Avro Avion. A Civilian Stinson also arrived. Plans for a permanent refuelling site instigated

1938 Mar 29th . Commencement of the construction of the radio Station at Aerodrome.

1938-Mar 30th  Sporting Globe Melbourne page 14 Development of Airport

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/20730734

DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORT

In the spring of 1924 Francis Birtles, noted Australian explorer, arrived over Nhill in an aeroplane piloted by Lieut. Briggs of the Royal Australian Air Force, and landed in Messrs Moll Bros. paddock, a mile east of the town. They were returning from an exploring flight over the Lake Eyre region of northern South Australia, and were met in Nhill by Messrs Herbert Moll, S. C. Moll and F. K. McKenzie, who was intensely interested in aviation since its inception. Lieut. Briggs said, "Why don't you make this an aerodrome? It is ideal for the purpose and is exactly half-way between Melbourne and Adelaide." Today Nhill is not only the oldest inland airport in Victoria, but it is one of the chain of great aerodromes that extends from Brisbane to Perth. Herb. Moll said that he was prepared to grant the paddock at an infinitesimal rental to the aviation authorities. After protracted negotiations by Mr McKenzie with the late Colonel Brinsmead and the Minister for Defence, the ground was inspected by officers of the civil and military departments and the area was ultimately proclaimed a Government landing ground.

NIGHT FLYING DEPOT

In 1928 Messrs. Moll Bros sold the property to Mr H. L. Bond, who decided to cut it up into building allotments. Mr McKenzie's work seemed to have gone for nothing when Mr I. S. Young, a Lieutenant in the R.A.A.F. in the war, and a former president of the Nhill branch of the R.S.L. came to the rescue and placed his horse training track north of Halpin Park, at their disposal.

Many of the world's most celebrated aviators of both sexes have landed on the aerodrome, including C. W. A. Scott. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. "Battling" Butler. Jimmy Mollison. Bert Hinkler and Amy Johnson. Nhill was a control station for the East-West air race, and also for the SA. Centenary race from Brisbane to Perth.

Mr McKenzie was not satisfied, until he had an assurance from the P.M.G.'S Department that Nhill's claim would be taken into consideration when the mail route for night flying was established - and it has been established - the work of preparing the aerodrome has begun, the wireless beam tower has been erected, also the meteorological station, and the identification tower on which will be placed a flashing neon light. The area of the drome will be surrounded with coloured electric lamps at 50-yard intervals. It is expected that the aerodrome will be officially opened during a visit by the Minister tor Defence, members of the R.A.A.F., and representatives of various aero clubs.

Note: There are several inconsistencies in this report. 1924 August, Glenferness Street Aerodrome complete. 1927 September, Aerodrome transferred to Young and Sutherland’s paddock now known as Blackwood’s on north side of Park Street opposite school, then known as Halpin Park. This was temporary and a paddock to the west of Blackwood’s house became the aerodrome and continued to be used for all events mentioned above. 1937 April 19. Announcement that a new aerodrome would be built on the present (2019) site. First plane landed 1938 Feb 20. 1938 November 19 mentioned as official opening with aeradio station, perimeter lighting and radio towers in place. John Deckert.

1938 Sept 26th . NHILL'S CLAIM FOR AERODROME AS A TRAINING CENTRE

Mr TH Scholfield M.H.R. has received the following letter from the Minister of Defence, Mr Thorby, dated 22/9/38. "I have to acknowledge receipt of your personal representations supporting the request from Mr F.K. McKenzie of the Nhill Free Press Office, Nhill for the establishment of an RAAF flying training school at that centre. I have fully noted the advantages which the Nhill Aerodrome possesses for a purpose of this nature and you may rest assured that the claims of this centre will receive every consideration along with those of other centres." Mr Scholfield states he is making further representations to the Minister of Defence.

1938 Nov 2nd . Lockheed Electra flies from Adelaide to have calibration equipment installed for calibrating Lorenze Radio Beacons.

1938 Nov 19th .  Aerodrome opening.

1938 Nov 30th . Aircraft en route Sydney-Perth and Perth-Sydney arrived. DD Leopard, de Havilland Rapide and Hawker Demon.

1938 Dec 8th . Aircraft activities and practice bombing raid on Nhill

1938 Dec 22nd . Final Installation tests for aerodrome.

1939 Mar 19th . Two amphibious aircraft from HMAS Sydney and Canberra arrived in Nhill (Refuelling by Williams Motors for the past two years)

1939 Apr 10th . Radio operators H Darling and M Crockett busy with air traffic and arrival of RAAF aircraft.

1939 Jun 2nd. Melbourne Age. Training for aeradio operators.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205624301?

STAFF FOR AERADIO STATIONS Special P.M.G. School

A special school for the training of aeradio operators is to be established by the Postmaster-General's department, the Director General of the Civil Aviation department (Mr. Corbett) announced yesterday. The operators are to be trained for service with the Civil Aviation department. Under the big scheme of the Civil Aviation department to improve the radio flying aids throughout Australia, aeradio stations are being, established at various points in the north-west and central areas of the Commonwealth. Amalgamated Wireless of Australasia Ltd., which is supplying many of the stations, had contracted to operate and man them for 12 months, Mr. Corbett stated, and at the end of that period, A.W.A. operators who were suitable for the public service, would be invited to join the Civil Aviation department. The new school, which will be constructed in Sydney, will train operators to take over from men who are not suitable for the public service. The course of training will occupy about six months. It will be free, but open only to Postal department employes.

1939 Jul 10th . Australian National Airway DC 2 Bungana landed in Nhill and remained overnight due to bad weather in Adelaide. The crew attended a dance at the JP Ryan Hall.

1939 Sep 2 & 3. War declared. Police guard drawn from Dimboola, Jeparit, Horsham, Rainbow, Stawell and was placed at the Nhill aerodrome to protect radio equipment. All unauthorised persons excluded from aerodrome.

1939 Dec 16th. Fourteen RAAF aircraft arrived in three flights to Nhill. One aircraft proceeded to Parafield where a new training centre is to be established

1940s

1940 Jan 14th. Australian National Airways, Bungana arrived in Nhill from Perth at 7.28 pm and departed at 9.30 pm because of radio trouble. An inspiring sight on take-off with all its lights burning.

1940 Jan 18th . Preliminary discussions under way to establish RAAF Base in Nhill_. Capt Lerew interviewed Mr RB Turner, Chairman of the Electric Light Advisory Committee and Mr Poulman Elect. Engineer and Mr. C C Palmer, Chairman of Nhill Waterworks Trust.

1940 May 2nd. News Adelaide. page 7. Replacing Beam Tower.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132008024?

A NEW WOODEN TOWER for the radio beacon is being constructed at Parafield Aerodrome to replace the present steel structure on the left. Although some difficulties have been experienced with the steel tower, the present beam system is quite safe. The change-over to the wooden tower has been held up by the coal strike, which prevented the transport of material to the aerodrome.

The metal and wooden ones cost 500 pounds each. Image of towers in this article.

1940 Aug 5th. Steel radio tower replaced by wooden structure.

1940 Sept 8th. Broken Hill Flying Doctor aircraft called at Nhill. Nhill High School organises school for RAAF Reservists.

1940 Nov 12th. Nhill Free Press advised of Government intension to establish Air Training School at Nhill for navigation

1940 Dec 9th. Local committee formed to make preliminary arrangements for RAAF Personnel.

1941 Jan 2nd. Australian National Airways, Bungana forced to return to Nhill from Essendon because of bad weather. Sir Keith Smith one of the passengers.

1941 Jan 29th . Twelve Tiger Moths arrived in Nhill en route Sydney to Perth.

1941 April 20th . Horsham Times Page 4. Establishment of base.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72693028?

DISTRICT NEWS NHILL

The Air School.

The plans and specifications of No 2 Air Navigation School at the Nhill aerodrome provide accommodation for 600 men. The contracts must be completed within 18 weeks. The following are some of the buildings to be erected: Separate sleeping quarters for officers, sergeants, trainees and the ground staff; officers' headquarters, theatre, assembly room, gymnasium, hospital, dental clinic, library recreation rooms, chaplains' consulting room, canteen, lecture rooms, gear and parachute rooms, dining rooms for officers sergeants trainees and ground staff, kitchens, sculleries, store room, four huge hangars with asphalt floors for the aeroplanes, four petrol bowsers, fitters', riggers', and engineers' work-shops, garage, sports oval and parade grounds. Two 20,000-gallon elevated tanks will be installed.

1941 May 19th . RAAF applies for use of showgrounds as a temporary base until the RAAF base is completed.

1941 May 27th. Horsham Times. page 2

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/7065251

R.A.A.F. REQUIRES NHILL SHOW GROUNDS.

Mr. A. Dahlenburg presided at a special meeting of the Nhill A and P. Society last week, when Mr. A. Schultz, caretaker of the show grounds stated that Flight-Lieut. Milbourne, of the Royal Australian Air Force, had waited on him and applied for the use of the show grounds until the air school buildings were erected on the aerodrome. A garage was also wanted. It was agreed to lease the show grounds to the Air Force authorities.

1941 May 27th. Plans and specifications for the construction of RAAF No. 2 Astro Navigation School on display at H R Harris timber yard.

1941 June 22nd. Australian National Airways, Bungana, forced to stay in Nhill overnight due to bad weather.

1941 July 7th. Sewage.

1941 July 10th. Bongiorno Bros granted sole right to operate Bus Service to the aerodrome. Construction of Air School well underway.

1941 Aug 4th . German Messerschmidt 109 on display at Williams Motors (now Bullen Bros) for patriotic purposes and fund raising.

1941 Aug 14th . Educational classes commenced at Nhill High School for RAAF Reservists.

1941 Sept 2th . Wing Com. Carr flew to Nhill and advised that an advance party of two officers and 30 men would arrive on Sunday 6th followed by a further 6 officers and 48 men on the 15th. The main body would arrive on 21^st September.

1941 Sept 18th. Armed Guard on the footpath at the Bank of New South Wales as the pay was drawn for RAAP personnel at the Air School.

This was to become the regular pattern over the next four years.

1941 Sept 19th . Special train with RAAP personnel for the new base arrived,

1941 Sept 23rd. Horsham Times. page 2. Accident at Air School.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72695690?

While Mr J. McGuinness, electrician, was working on a high electric light standard at the Air School at Nhill the pole tilted, and thinking it was going to crash, he jumped out of his leather guard from a height of over 20 feet, with the result that he sustained severe injuries. The victim was conveyed in the Air School ambulance to a surgery where it was ascertained that he had received a fractured dislocation of the right ankle and bones were broken in both knee joints. He was subsequently admitted to the Nhill Hospital where he is progressing favourably.

1941 Sept 24th . First 8700 gallon rail tanker of aviation gasoline arrived at the rail siding, and transported by road tanker belonging to F.J Williams Motors Mobil Agents. Flight of 14 American Grumman Wildcats through Nhill on way to Darwin.

1941 Oct 10th . Horsham Times. page 2. Air School at Nhill.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72696225?

An air navigation school, which has been operating temporarily in South Australia has moved to its permanent location at Nhill. The Minister of Air (Mr McEwen ) said that the training school was formed on July 1. and was located in S.A. while work on the selected site was being completed. Final costs at the school were estimated at 140,000 pounds.

1942 Mar 6th. Nhill people attend RAAF dance at aerodrome. Over 2000 personnel on RAAF Base.

1942 Mar 26th . American aircraft landed at 10.45 at night on G.A,Vivian's Kaniva property. Aircraft lost on flight from Laverton-Adelaide. Took off O.K. the next day.

1942 Sept 14 th. Inaugral meeting of Air Training Corps. Nhill to become D Flight of No. 18 Wimmera Squadron. This to be preliminary preparation for young males 16-18 years for RAAF flying.

1942 Oct 26th . Cpl Les Borgelt awarded BEM for his distinguished service in Timor with RAAF in escaping from the Japanese.

1943 Mar 15th . Air Training Corps, first parade of 18 Squad, at Stawell on March 13th. RAAF & WAAF activities, sport, Church and social involvement with community.

1943 Mar 27th . Horsham A Flight Air Training Corp (ATC) visited Nhill Flight ATC and attended Church Parade, visited RAAF Station, went flying, played cricket. Lyall Zadow and Merv Schneider ATC D Flight first NCO.

1943 May 13th . Avro Anson on training flight from Mt. Gambler to Nhill crashed at Woorak on property of H.J Schneider. Accident was witnessed by Ray Edward Mellings a school. 5 RAAF Airmen were killed.

1943 Oct 12th . Lancaster Bomber, G for George, arrived in Nhill on fourth Liberty Loan Promotion. Now housed in Canberra War Memorial.

1944 June 20th. At the July meeting of the Nhill Branch of the ALP there was discussion on RAAF Station being made permanent and a need for more housing in Nhill.

1944 Oct 23rd.  Second visit of Lancaster Bomber Q for Queenie, on Commonwealth War Loan Tour.

1944 Oct 19th . P/L Ian Roediger awarded DFC, announced for his exploits in Western Desert and Sicily.

1945 Jan 4th . Notification of award of DFC to F/L Lomas. Also notification of his plane crash in which he was injured.

1945 Mar 15th . Visit by G for George Lancaster and Beaufort Bomber.

1945 May 5th . ATC No. 18 Squadron disbanded after ceremony in Horsham.

1945 May 4th . F/0 Scholfield killed in aircraft accident north of Nhill.

1945 July 2nd. F/C Maxwell killed in aircraft accident at Lorquon.

1945 July 9th. Aircraft with R.G Menzies and other Parliamentarians was forced to stop overnight in Nhill due to bad weather.

1946 Feb 14th. F.J Williams, Garage Prop, of Nhill, who now owns two aircraft, a Moth Minor and De Souter cabin Monoplane flies to Horsham for urgently needed parts.

1946 May 1st. The Age Melbourne Commonwealth Disposal Commission. Preliminary Announcement. Tuesday & Wednesday April 30 & May 1st 1946 commencing 9.30am on the premises RAAF Station Nhill Vic. Auction sale of Electricial equipment, garage machinery. Household & general equipment. Catalogues will be available from the auctioneers McIlrath & Turner Nhill and from The Commonwealth Disposal Commission, Nicholas Building 37 Swanston St., Melbourne.

1946 May 19th.  First meeting of Nhill Aero Club. Pres. Keith Oldfield V.P. Ian Roediger and R.A Charles, Sec Wally Dahlitz, Tres. P.J Williams.

1946 Aug 28th. Two Proctor Aircraft flown by pilots, F Ogden and D Dalton arrived in Nhill en route from England.

1946 Nov/Oct. First air Pageant staged by Wimmera Aero Club. Advertising for sale of RAAF Equipment and Buildings at RAAF Nhill Base.

1946 Oct. Endeavours and approach to Parliament to retain RAAF Base in Nhill fail.

1946 Nov 15th. Farewell to RAAF at closing of Air Base.

1947 Mar 13th. Two members of Wimmera Aero Club, Crittenden and Dunn, buy two Tiger Moth aircraft in Perth and fly them home after 6.5 hours training.

1947 Aug 29th. Mention of last of Air Force buildings being sold and moved out to places such as Eildon, Camberwell Grammar School and Stawell Tech.

1948 June 5th. Three Avro Anson aircraft destroyed at Nhill when hangar caught fire. One owned by Adastra Airways, the other two by a Mr. Warren Murphy.

1948 Aug 29th. Fay Dahlenburg, now Mrs Ian Mellington, flies solo after 8 hours of instruction with Wimmera Aero Club (WAC).                 

1948 Aug 30th. Mr. F.J Williams of Williams Motors succeeds in gaining an Air Service for Nhill, to be operated by Australian National Airways.

Dept. Nhill-Melb 9.25 A.M. Arr. Melb-Nhill 5.35 P.M.

Dept Nhill-Adelaide 5.40 P.M. Arr Adelaide-Nhill 9.20 A.M,

Fares for either city £3/7/6. Service Tues & Thurs.

Commenced September 7.

1948 Oct 14th. St Georges advised that the RAAF will present a pennant in appreciation of the services given by the congregation during the War, Special Service held on November 3rd. Two flags and Ensign_.

1948 Nov 20th. First Jet aircraft, de Havilland Vampire arrived in Nhill and was refuelled,, Flown by W/C Cummings.

1948 Nov 29th . Mention of Rev. L G Kerdel, Vicar of St. Georges, being flown to his church service at Baker by F.J Williams in his Fairchild Pegasus II.

1949 Mar 1st. Local ANA agent, F.J Williams, successfully obtained permission for an Adelaide-Melbourne flight to land at night with only short notice (aircraft overhead) to pick up a passenger for an urgent flight.

1949 Mar 3rd. Increase in number of flights on regular passenger service.

1949 Sept 22nd. Ten pupils trained to solo standard by WAC to date.

1949 Oct 23rd. Nine regular airways passenger aircraft diverted to Nhill and remained here as Essendon and Mangalore closed.

1950s

1950 Feb 16th . Nhill Airport very active and call for Wimmera support to ensure further development. Schedules arranged to link with Capital City Services

.

1950 Mar 17th . Nhill Branch of Air Force Association formed.

1950 Mar 28th . Herald newspaper starts daily newspaper run, First Edition arriving at 5.30 P.M.

1950 Apr 1st. Wimmera Aero Club wins Mildura Rotary Club Pageant for Formation Flying, Aerial Derby and Aerobatics,

1950 Aug 10th. Aero Club purchase second Tiger Moth, Mr. Jack Howard appointed instructor-manager.

1951 Feb. Wimmera Club expanding operations to include Keith, Narracoorte, Warracknabeal and Mt. Gambier. F.J Williams Founder and First President of Wimmera Aero Club. Mr. F.J Williams crashed on takeoff with his Fairchild Aircraft in Mr. Jack Dahlenburg’s paddock at Tarranginnie. All occupants were injured but were very lucky.

1953 Oct 3rd. Ian Dunn and Max Siemering damaged Tiger Moth on landing

1953 NOV 26th . Visit by two RAN Sea Furys and two Firefly aircraft. Firefly landed with undercarriage retracted.

1954 Aug 14th. Redex Light Plane Trial at Nhill, 18 in all.

1954 Sept 4th. Power supply to aerodrome upgraded to meet increasing demand.

1955 Jack Williams and Jim Bullen fly to England to bring back two Proctor aircraft.

1955 SEP 15th. Albert Williams of Lillimur buys Auster Autocar aircraft.

1955 Oct 2nd. Air Service to Nhill discontinued.

1955 Nov 17th. Jack Williams and Jim Bullen arrive in Nhill after an adventuresome trip, by Proctor Aircraft, from England. Aerial Spraying began last year and is developing into rural industry.



1956 Oct 25th. Third Tiger Moth added to Aero club. Mr. Reg Wood appointed as Instructor/Manager.

1957 Jan. Southern Airlines negotiating for Nhill-Warracknabeal air service to Melbourne.

1957 Jan 15th . Investigation from Ansett re Helicopter landing sites.

1957 Feb. Wimmera Aero Club expanding to include Keith, Warrak, Mt Gambier, Narracorte.

1957 Apr 9th . Shire of Lowan take over Aerodrome from DCA. 407 acres.

1957 May 2nd. Radio equipment and canopy to be installed on one of the Aero clubs Tiger Moths.

1958 Jan 9th. Wimmera Aero Club flying record, 123 hours per month.

1959 Mar 7th . Apex Air Pageant attracts 3000 people. Two Meteor Jets taking part.

1970s

1977. Sealed Run-way of Nhill Aerodrome. Wimmera Aero Club continues to be active at this time.

1980s

1988 Jan_. Air Ambulance operates into Nhill for emergency medical cases to be transported to Melbourne.

1990s

1994 Nov 11th. Vickers Vimy replica flew into Nhill. World’s largest replica aeroplane. Article on file.

9

New paragraph