A comprehensive program to commemorate the centenary of the Great Air Race is being built out, with three new events announced today.

Beginning with the reveal of a new façade honouring the winning plane and crew at the Darwin Aviation Museum, the upcoming events aim to share the incredible story of the Great Air Race with the wider Darwin community.

The façade reveal will be part of the museum’s ‘celebration of aviation’, and the public is encouraged to come along to the free family event on Sunday, 22 September between 9am and 3pm.

The day will also include helicopter rides, vintage plane and vehicle displays, entertainment from the Darwin City Brass Band and Air Force Cadet drum marching displays.

Starting in October, five free one hour talks will be held to educate and entertain audiences with stories of the Great Air Race.

The presentations will cover the race, history of the Fannie Bay landing site, aircraft, competitors, journey and the legacy of this amazing feat of aviation.

Round 10 of the 2019/20 TIO NTFL season is dedicated to the Great Air Race, with a number of games taking place across the Territory on Saturday, 7 December and Sunday, 8 December.

The weekend’s highlight is the clash between Waratahs and Wanderers at Gardens Oval on the Sunday, which is a rematch of the game played in 1919 as the winning aeroplane was in the final stages of winging its way to Darwin.

Additional events to celebrate the Great Air Race will soon be announced, with more information about the program available at www.ntmajorevents.com.au.

Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) General Manager Tim Watsford:

“We’re excited to continue the fantastic program of events which will encourage the Top End community and visitors to learn about and celebrate the centenary of the Great Air Race.

“It’s great to have such a broad range of events as part of the program, so there is something on offer for all Territorians whether you enjoy sport or are more of a history buff.”

Quotes from Darwin Aviation Museum Manager Angie Clucas:

“The Great Air Race represents a significant time in Darwin’s history and it is very important that we celebrate and commemorate this ground-breaking aviation milestone in its 100th year.

“The foresight and achievements of aviation pioneers not only opened Darwin to the rest of Australia and the world, but also gave greater connection to remote outstations and communities of the Northern Territory, which really drove the Territory’s future development.

“Our façade launch event will be the perfect opportunity for all Territorians and visitors to join in the family fun and learn more about the incredible journey that was the Great Air Race.”

Quotes from AFL Northern Territory CEO Stuart Totham:

“AFL Northern Territory is excited to be part of the centenary celebration for the Great Air Race and to dedicate Round 10 of the 2019/20 TIO NTFL season to mark the occasion.

“At the time of the historical event, an entertaining game of footy between Waratah and Wanderers was unfolding at Gardens Oval.

“Fast forward 100 years and that brave flight has seen aviation technology advance beyond the wildest imaginations of the time, while Territory footy has remained a constant, and continues to be a cornerstone of our community.”

Media contact: NTMEC Media and Communications Officer 0439 065 321 

Background Information:

·        On 19 March, 1919 the Commonwealth Government set aviators the challenge to fly an aeroplane from London to Australia, landing in Darwin, in under 30 days.

·        The winning crew would win £10,000, the equivalent of nearly $1 million today.

·        Six crews took part in the Great Air Race challenge, with only two teams completing the journey.

·        The winning aeroplane was a Vickers Vimy, crewed by pilot Captain Ross Smith, co-pilot Lieutenant Keith Smith and mechanics Sergeants Wally Shiers and James Bennett.

·        The Vickers Vimy and crew landed in Darwin on 10 December, 1919 after a 28 day and 20 hour flight.

·        The successful flight changed the world, paving the way for faster transport of mail and passengers across the globe.

·        Darwin became an ideal stop-over point as aviation travel grew in the 1930s, allowing passengers to fly from Brisbane and Sydney to London.