FLY-IN TO TEMORA 21 – 24 APRIL 2006

A cold and gusty wind greeted the 12 aircraft that flew in to the Autumn Fly-in. A cold front had passed through early in the morning and left behind a strong southwesterly wind. Tailwinds for those who came north, but a very frustrating headwind of 40knots for those flying south.

Temora is situated on the southwestern plains and is renowned for it’s grain production. It’s roots date back to the 1880’s when gold was discovered in the area. Some gold was still being extracted in the 1990’s only 12km from town.

The railway provided transport to the town and it’s federation station stands silent witness to the many grain trains that stock up from the town’s mighty silos. Regrettably, the station doesn’t see any passenger trains any more.

Temora airfield was the site for the No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School and trained many thousands of pilots in the basics of flying in a huge fleet of Tiger Moth aircraft. The Temora Aviation Museum is now based at the same airfield and commemorates the history of No. 10 EFTS.

IFFR members from four states (yes we include Tasmania) arrived throughout the day and by late afternoon all had arrived safely. One notable arrival was by Noela and Ern Dawes who hitched a ride in son Peter’s Citation jet, just a 20-minute flight from Melbourne. We were also honoured to have joined us for the weekend, members of Wheelies with Wings, both the most recent scholarship recipients and their supporters drawn from NSW Rotary clubs.

Friday night had us all congregated at the Temora Aero Club where their expert chefs prepared a great meal of chicken breasts in mango sauce. The evening was a great gathering to catch up on the latest news from friends not seen for 6 months and with members of the Temora Aero Club.

Saturday morning was reserved for the ladies to carry out their mandatory retail therapy sessions. I hope they did give a boost to the town’s economy as the town now relies on tourism as a major function. People from all over the world come to Temora to see the Aviation Museum with many veteran pilots enjoying the flying displays held throughout the year.

Of course our group was no exception and we were treated to a tour of the working aviation museum with ample time to view the splendidly restored aircraft, some of which are very rare examples still flying. All the museum’s aircraft are kept in an airworthy condition and take part in the flying displays. After a too short a period we were off to the Grand Hotel for lunch.

After lunch we were allocated just over one hour to tour the Rural Museum. One of the best collections of memorabilia I have seen in a community museum, It was a pleasure for us to hear the strident sounds of the acoustic gramophones with Dame Nellie Melba’s voice issuing from the metal horn attached to the needle. No electronics here. The highlight for me was to be able to hear a genuine Edison cylinder gramophone with the sounds of unknown artists recorded onto wax cylinders over 100 years ago. We all could have spent more time here perusing the collections of farm machinery, vehicle, household goods etc. I missed seeing a replica of "Mother Shipton" the most spectacular gold nugget mined in Temora in the early 1880’s.

The bus then took us to the railway town of Junee, some 60 kms south of Temora. Here we were treated to samples of organically grown and produced licorice. Even after the well delivered commentary on the establishment of the factory, the manufacturing process and the ingredients, some still won’t believe that horse or ox blood is used in the process. Samples were freely handed out and after the tour the shop did an excellent trade in the products available. I could not be tempted to try the licorice ice cream. The dark camouflage green colour was a bit of a put off for me.

A short drive took us up to a hill on the outskirts of town to visit Monte Christo, a magnificently restored house that was built in 1884, and vandalised and ruined in 1959. However new owner’s Olive and Reg Ryan purchased the property in 1963 and have done a wonderful job of restoration and furnishing the home in the style of it’s own time. Our group was fortunate to have Olive as our tour guide and we were shown through the house and given a complete run down on it’s history etc. Sadly we did not see any of the ghosts reputed to haunt the house. Or did we? When asked if she was ever afraid of the apparitions she has experienced she said "No. You should be afraid of live people as dead people can’t do you harm". Can you pick which is the ghost in the picture?

After a walk through the house, outbuildings, and gardens it was on to the bus again for the drive back to Temora as we got a great view of a western plains sunset.

A quick clean and change and the bus was there to take us to the Temora Golf Club for our meeting with the Temora Rotary Club. A night of fellowship was enjoyed with IFFR members, members of Temora Rotary Club, Wheelies with Wings graduates, supporters and families. The two sergeants of arms fleecing all present for various misdemeanours. Guest speaker for the evening was Suzi Duncan, founder of Wheelies with Wings. This is a foundation with an aim to provide scholarships to disabled people to allow them to learn to fly. Suzi told us of her personal battle with polio and the associated debilities that brings, and her willpower to overcome these obstacles. Suzie did learn to fly and became a flying instructor at Moorabbin. After Suzi’s talk, and responses to questions, she took great pleasure in presenting the graduates with their wings and blazers. To find out more about Wheelies with Wings, you can click here. http://www.wheelieswithwings.com.au

Sunday morning dawned clear and frosty with ice on the cars. Early morning walkers were able to enjoy the crisp morning and observe the beautiful jet contrails cris crossing the blue sky. The IFFR Annual General Meeting got under way at the Temora Ex-Serviceman’s Club. At this meeting, Office Bearers for the next two-year term were confirmed. President Elect Trevor Steel was asked to commence his term early as President Laurie has some urgent medical procedures to deal with and he will have to lay low for a few months. President Elect for 2006-2008 is Ted Richey from Tasmania. Secretary Mal Hunter will continue as will Treasurer Ian Hope. Barrie Aarons will continue to publish the Bulletin, and at this stage, John Berends will chair the Fly-in Committee. Nancy Bird-Walton will be offered an Honorary Membership.

The General Meeting was then commenced and reports received. These will be published in the Bulletin, but I can confirm that the October Fly-in is to Horsham, Victoria with an interesting programme being prepared, including visits to a wool processing plant, the Grampian mountains, grain handling facilities and more. Put it in your diary. October 20- 22. 2006.

Back to the airport after lunch for our return journey home. Those that suffered the terrible headwinds now enjoyed a swift trip home, because for once, the wind did not change direction over the weekend. Thanks to all involved with the fly-in, thanks to the people of Temora. Another enjoyable fly-in was over.

Repoted by Andrew M