I'd like you imagine it is November 16, 1920 and the birth of a new airline has been announced; Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd better known to the world as QANTAS. The first board meeting was held here in Winton at the Winton Club and in 1921, the Winton Shire Council became the first local authority in Australia to support commercial aviation after subsidising by half the cost of establishing a landing field in Winton, to the sum of twenty pounds.
This sun-baked paddock is the original landing strip, and I suspect that it wasn't in much better condition than we see it now. The first commercial flight took place on 2 November 1922
5 comments:
Ah, the Outback! You've captured it well, Al. Takes me back to my childhood. Is it correct that QANTAS was the world's first airline?
P.S. I so enjoy seeing your photos every day and seeing my city/country in a new light. Thanks!
I just heard that they are filming a movie in Winton! I can't remember any details, though. We'll have to keep our eyes open for that one.
Oh yes, I remember a news report about that recently: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/bid-to-keep-bush-balladeer-banjo-paterson-film-at-winton/story-e6frfmvr-1226370446094
I also heard on the radio about this movie being filmed there: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/outback-qld-town-gets-hollywood-treatment/story-e6frfku9-1226411452326
It seems Winton's quite a hive of activity lately!
It's amazing to think that Qantas started from such humble beginnings.
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