THE TRARALGON & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC |
CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF CHARLES KINGSFORD SMITH (1897-1997)
(Jim Hood)
Together with the Morwell Historical Society and the Latrobe Valley Aero Club, we celebrated the centenary of the birth of one of Australia's heroes of aviation, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.
After much arranging for the celebrations on 9th February, 1997, the
day finally arrived. For weeks the weather had been hot and very dry, but just before our
gathering at Black's Paddock, which was the landing site of "Smithy" and his
crew, the heavens opened up and a deluge descended.
(Photo, left from the Society's archives, (Courtesy West Collection)of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in Traralgon. The autograph on the photo is just visible lower right hand corner).
With the rain disappearing, our guests left their cars to relive their childhood memories of flying with and talking to "Smithy". First of the speakers was Keith Chenhall, followed by Mrs. Alison Robinson, Shirley Hill and Tan Huffer supported by Jack Medew. What pleasant memories they all had. However, missing from the day was Donald Dunbar who had sold tickets that day in 1932, for joy flights.
After thanking Garry Black for allowing us to visit the paddock where Smithy had landed, we drove to the Morwell Power Works car park to view the site where Smithy had landed at Morwell. By the way, the paddock at Black's has not changed a great deal, and while we were gathered there, members of the Latrobe Valley Aero Club made a fly past.
Bruce McMaster gave us a brief history of the landing at Morwell, and showed us the area where Smithy landed. He then introduced Des Kelly, who was a small lad when he was involved with Smithy's joy flights from Morwell.
The talk that Des gave was most interesting, and it is easy to understand why he went on to become pilot in the R.A.A.F., flying Spitfires and receiving a Decoration for his efforts during World War II. Des later became a Foundation Member of the Latrobe Valley Aero Club. The Aero Club made another Fly Past at the Morwell site.
From Morwell we journeyed to the Latrobe Regional Airport, to be hosted by John Willis and members - without John's help, this day would not have been the success it was. There was much activity with joy flights by the Aero Club, and two Tigermoths had an airing for this special occasion.
At the Terminal was a display of Smithy's Conquest in Aviation, and Mr. John Willis introduced Mr. Des Kelly, AM, who gave an address on Sir Charles Kingsford Smith then officially opened the viewing and picnic area by declaring the park "The Kingsford Smith Centenary Park".
I'm sure that the crowd of 100 or so people had a really great day and it was great to have with us those people who can remember Smithy's visit to Morwell, Traralgon, and Gippsland. My many thanks to those who made the day go off so well.
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