The Maryborough Aero Club, located at the picturesque ex-RAAF base Maryborough Station in Queensland, has a rich history spanning over 90 years. The club offers both members and visitors the chance to indulge in excellent airport facilities while enjoying a relaxed and friendly social atmosphere. Whether you prefer to sit on the veranda or in the newly built pilots lounge, you can savour a cuppa, sip on a coldie, and indulge in a delicious lunchtime burger while listening to captivating aviation tales and witnessing the thrilling runway action.
Monthly meetings at the Maryborough Aero Club are held on the second Saturday of each month, starting with exciting airside activities in the morning, followed by a quick club meeting at 10am, and concluding with a mouthwatering BBQ lunch. Guests, visitors, and fly-ins are always welcomed with open arms and are encouraged to join in the camaraderie.
The club boasts a fascinating history. The earliest recorded flight in Maryborough took place on June 7th, 1890, when Miss Gladdy Van Tassell made a balloon ascent and parachute jump, landing near the Hospital in Walker Street. The first powered fixed-wing aircraft to land in the area was a B. E.
2 Biplane flown by Capt. P. W. Snell, which touched down near Ululah Lagoon on August 3rd, 1920.
The present airfield began taking shape in 1926, with the Town Council clearing an area adjacent to the current grass runway on the existing racecourse. The first landing occurred in April 1927. Notable early pilots who used the field included World War I Australian Flying Corps veterans Jack Treacy and Ron Adair, as well as the founding members of the aero club.
On June 22nd, 1928, renowned aviator Bert Hinkler landed at the original small showgrounds located at the corner of Alice and Tooley streets. The first aerial pageant at the Maryborough airport was held on June 7th, 1930, organised by Charlie Hillman and K. McDonnell, who believed that establishing an aero club in Maryborough was a definite possibility. The next year, the Wide Bay Burnett Aero Club hosted the pageant on June 13th, 1931.
In this month, the club submitted an application for registration, which was officially approved on February 5th, 1932, marking the birth of the Maryborough Aero Club. The club was later incorporated in July of the same year. Skip Watson served as the club's first president, with N. A.
Adam as the inaugural instructor. Adam also worked for 'Maryborough Airways and Flying School'.
In 1932, the iconic Sir Charles Kingsford Smith visited the club in his Southern Cross aircraft, arriving from Rockhampton on July 22nd. He became the club's patron and delighted visitors with joy flights throughout the weekend, participating in the pageant on the Saturday. Smith also presented trophies, including one to Mr. Stead Lowe, at the aero club ball in the Maryborough Memorial Hall.
Furthermore, he attended a civic reception at the Bungalow Theatre, where he spoke about his impressive flying accomplishments.
During its early years, the club used Mr. G. C. Hillman's DH60 Moth VH-UJM as its primary aircraft until a syndicate of seven aviators purchased the first official club plane, VH-UFZ, an Avro Avian.
This aircraft remained in service until 1936. Following this, the Royal Queensland Aero Club dispatched aircraft from Brisbane for flying instruction, with Cyril Broome serving as one of the instructors. Prior to the war, the only club building was a shed owned by Mr. Hillman, situated next to the racecourse and used to house aircraft with folded wings.
However, operations were temporarily suspended during the war as the aerodrome underwent expansion, resulting in the current layout, including the Clubhouse, which was one of the 190 Airforce buildings constructed.
The Maryborough Aero Club continues to thrive today, providing a welcoming environment for aviation enthusiasts, members, and visitors alike. With its captivating history, excellent facilities, and warm social atmosphere, the club remains a vibrant hub for aviation enthusiasts in Maryborough and beyond.
