This history has been cobbled together from a number of different sources. If you read something that is wrong or inaccurate or you want to add to the information, please email me with your corrections or additions. Lyndal Coote

1953

"Clearing started in 1947-8 with extensive weekend working bees ( tea was made in a 4 gallon kerosene tin so numbers of participants were significant). As a 13 year old boy I was on site with my father Wal Robinson who managed the Radiola store in Horton street.The business sold and serviced Radios with the AWA Radiola being the principal brand.

There were 2 small tractors with a chain between them pulling over the smaller trees.  AD4 bulldozer equipped with a winch was handling the larger trees.The procedure was to anchor the bulldozer against one tree with the wire rope from the winch attached to the tree to be pulled down. Gelignite was then exploded under the tree roots to assist the winching operation.

With the site cleared operations may have been suspended awaiting further authorisation or funding or the 1949-50 floods may have left the site waterlogged for a number of years...It is extremely unlikely that the A40 was anything more than a publicity stunt." Thanks to Royden Robinson for this update on the statement below.

1955

1958

Hastings District Flying Club formed, inaugural President and CFI was Joe Lee who finished his aviation career with QANTAS training CLIPS-commercial intake pilots on DC3s.

Foundation members included Barry Cunning, Greta Yabsley, Joe Lee, Frederick Higgins, George Hartley, Mervyn McCudden, John Kirby, Dal O’Grady, Col Bailey, Peter Taylor

1960 – 1983

1968 -1969

1971

Port Macquarie Air Pageant  April 11 1971

1972

1977

1978

1979

1980

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1988

1989

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Steve O'Connor Navigation Trial Trophy - Jack Terp
Vern Polley Forced Landing Trophy - Rod Davison

Student Pilot of the Year - Doug Ross
RAAus Wings - Bonny Stutsel, Doug Jones, Liz Drinkwater, Glenn Cleary, Doug Ross, Lucy Johnston

2009

2010

Club Captain - Ray Lind
RAAus CFI - George Northey
Club Champion - Bruce Dunlop
Harry Bellott Trophy for Pilot of the Year - Bob Barnett
Club Person of the Year - Damien Buchtmann

Steve O’Connor Shield Navigation Trial - Rod Davison, Vern Polley Forced Landing Trophy - Rod Davison, Ray Lind & Bruce Dunlop

Student Pilot of the Year - Peter Forde
RAAus Wings - Peter Forde, Mathew Baker

2011

Steve O’Connor Shield Navigation Trial - Bruce Dunlop
Vern Polley Forced Landing Trophy - Rod Davison

RAAus Student Pilot of the Year - Adam Hancey
RAAus Wings -

2012

Steve O’Connor Shield Navigation Trial -
Vern Polley Forced Landing Trophy - Rod Davison
RAAus Student Pilot of the Year - Jordan Seward
RAAus Wings - Ed Godschalk, Leeton Mason, Ben Hansen, Toby Stutsel, Steve Smith
PPL - Peter Ford
CPL - Michael Toohey, Trent Merchant

2013

2014

Club Presidents

Life Members

Col Bailey
Harry Bellott
Col Harvey
Cedric Stephens
Vince Williams
Bob Needham
Rod Davison

Club Aircraft