Air Pageant and Aviator’s Ball – Taree 1930

In the 1920s the fledgling aviation industry was thriving¹and progressive towns wanted an aerodrome. Thus it came to pass that a portion of Taree Showground was combined with adjoining land donated by Mr H Beeton to provide Taree’s first in-town aerodrome.²

The official opening was celebrated with an air pageant and aviator’s ball on 7 June 1930, the King’s Birthday weekend.³

The weather was chilly and breezy but a large number of spectators turned up to enjoy the day’s entertainment which included formation flying, aerial acrobatics, balloon strafing and aerial bombing. The central event “The Taree Derby”, in which eleven light planes took part, was won by Joe Palmer’s “Red Rose” a Moth plane which had completed a flight from England to Australia in 1927. Pilots Annabel, Bardsley and Wedgewood, who had recently flown right around Australia, were there and joy flights were on offer to the adventurous.⁴

The event concluded with an “Aviator’s Ball” organised by the Ladies Committee of the Manning River Agricultural and Horticultural Association.  The agricultural hall was decorated with wattle and aviation motifs, with the centrepiece being a model of Amy Johnson’s plane “Jason”.  Music was provided by Flaxman’s Orchestra and a tasty supper served.⁵

Author: Penny Teerman