The Golden Years of Aviation on the Fraser Coast from 1920

First aircraft to land in Maryborough 3rd August, 1920. Site is now Neptune Street end of the Golf Course. Source: Fraser Coast Images

The Fraser Coast Region first experienced the aeroplane in the 1920s. The development of the aeroplane received great impetus from the war where it played a vitally important part. The first aircraft visit was claimed to have occurred on the 17th of September, 1919 according to The Maryborough Chronicle.

The first passenger flight to land in Maryborough was from Aeroflight Aviation and was a Finney's Aeroplane.The NN under the lower wing stands for FINNEY and is advertising. The plane was captained by Commander Snell who set the company up with S.W. Bird.  The plane took passengers over Granville, Tinana, The Pocket and Newtown flying very low over the city (no more than a few hundred feet high). The plane was built by the Royal Aircraft factory. The joy flights were supported by advertising with the plane visiting various regional cities along the coast. Captain Snell had an Air Mechanic with him A.J. Cummings.(The Maryborough Chronicle).

Plane crash in Island Plantation Road, Maryborough Source:Brisbane John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Accession number: 84-4-14

Crash of the aeroplane, the Star of Cairns at Maryborough, Queensland, 31 December 1930 Avro Five plane was owned by Qantas. The plane's pilot B. P. Davidson and a passenger J. H. Higgens were killed in this crash. Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866-1939) ; Source :John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland 

Dundowran Beach also was a popular meeting place in the 1920s. Samuel Hecker of Hecker Motors was involved with the early years of aviation on the Fraser Coast. The Maryborough Chronicle claims Messrs. Hecker was a member of the Wide Bay and Burnett Aero Club,which was affiliated with the Queensland Aero Club. He was also an owner of a Moth machine and had flown about 80,000 miles in the Moth in 1934. He began an air taxi business. Samuel and Jim Caswell were often seen landing their aeroplanes on Dundowran beach. (Adams, M 2003).

Avro 504K biplane G-AUEO with an advertising sign on the side saying Queensland Air Navigation Ltd., Brisbane. The plane has landed on the beach and a crowd of onlookers have gathered to inspect it. Source: State Library of Queensland Flickr collection

The Maheno became a popular spot to land after it was wrecked on Fraser Island in 1935. Following the declaration of peace in 1945 after World War Two, Tiger Moths were plentiful and aviation on the Fraser Coast became very popular.

Avro biplane at Ululah near Maryborough, ca.1920 Source:  Brisbane John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Accession number: 89-9-20

The Maryborough Military Aviation Museum plans to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the first passenger landing in Maryborough next year.

Do you have any recollections of the early years of aviation?

Tags #aviation #frasercoast #tigermoths #hecker #fraserisland #herveybay #maryborough #anniversary

References:
Adams, M (compiler) (2003) The Golden Years of Aviation Local History Collection 994.32 ADAM
Maryborough Chronicle 19th September, 1919  Our First Aeroplane retrieved from Trove 1st October, 2019
Maryborough Chronicle 5th August, 1920 Ululah as a Landing Ground from Trove 1st October, 2019.
Maryborough Chronicle 6th November, 1934 Something to Do - Flew Moth to Tasmania retrieved from Trove 1st of October, 2019