Monday, 20 August 2012

QANTAS

There was a documentary on Australia Network (SCV cable) last week - seems to be about reenactment of an overland journey from Queensland to NT made by the founders of QANTAS in the 1920s?  They used a Ford T, supported by 4WD vehicles and re-traced the route through the outbacks - even with the modern support vehicle, the route was a challenge - deep soft sand, steep banks, water crossing, crocs, heat, "No fuel station for next 360 km" etc.

Made a check and found this on the QANTAS website:-


Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh KBE DFC (1895-1974)

Sir Wilmot Hydson Fysh
Hudson Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania, on 7 January 1895. He enlisted in the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Forces, at the outbreak of World War I and served in Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps No. 67 squadron, subsequently No.1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. As an observer, he won a Distinguished Flying Cross and gained his pilot's wings at Heliopolis in February 1919.
Fysh flew the Longreach-Cloncurry section of Qantas' Charleville-Cloncurry air service and in 1922 piloted the first official airmail service in Queensland. He was appointed Manager in 1923.

He helped form Qantas Empire Airways in 1934 when the original QANTAS and Britain's Imperial Airways joined forces and later served as Managing Director and Chairman. He retired as Chairman in June 1966.
Hudson Fysh was knighted in June 1953 for his services to civil aviation. He died on 6 April 1974 aged 79, having lived through an era encompassing both the Wright Brothers' flight in the Kitty Hawk and the introduction of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet.

The website did not state that "McGinness left QANTAS, never to return...." or that when Paul McGinness died in Perth in 1952, his funeral was attended by only 2 persons.

Saturday, 18 August 2012

STAMPS Get Together In Hua Hin

STAMPS is getting together at Hua Hin, Thailand in Dec 2012.  Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as the family is going back to Burma for a visit.

Selamat Hari Raya Aldilfitri

Wishing all Muslim students at and from Tas Uni - Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri.