Motions

Vickers Vimy Aircraft

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. F. Pangallo:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges the special place the Vickers Vimy aircraft has in South Australia’s proud history and the hearts of all Australians.

2. Notes that 12 November 2019 is the centenary of the aircraft’s departure on its epic flight from Hounslow, England to Australia.

3. Further notes that the crew of the Vickers Vimy aircraft—pilots Sir Ross Smith and his brother, Sir Keith Smith and mechanics Sergeant Jim Bennett and Sergeant Wally Shier—successfully completed the trip to Australia in 28 days, landing in Darwin on 10 December 1919.

4. Further acknowledges the work of the Epic Flight Centenary 2019 Committee, under the auspices of the History Trust of South Australia:

(a) to further inspire new generations of South Australians with the story of the crew’s audacious achievements; and

(b) to build public support for a new home for the Vickers Vimy aircraft and associated memorabilia at the new Adelaide Airport.

5. Recognises the efforts of writers and journalists Ms Lainie Anderson (also Program Ambassador of the Epic Flight 2019 Centenary) and Ms Susan Harrington in producing an outstanding documentary about the Vickers Vimy expedition.

6. Calls on the Government to fund and release its plans to relocate the Vickers Vimy aircraft to the new airport, to coincide with the centenary of this historically significant flight.

(Continued from 1 May 2019.)

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:23): I rise to support this motion and, in doing so, I would like to pay particular tribute to Lainie Anderson for her prominent role in highlighting for new generations the courage and exploits of the Vickers Vimy crew. She has done this through her recently published book, Long Flight Home, as well as through her many public presentations and Sunday Mail articles. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Ms Susan Harrington in producing an outstanding documentary about the Vickers Vimy expedition.

There can be no doubting the enormity of the achievement of the Vickers Vimy crew and the place their feat has in South Australia. I do not wish to repeat the details of the crew's exploits already recounted by the Hon. Frank Pangallo in his contribution to this debate. Fortunately, the stories of the Vickers Vimy triumph are so rich with adventure and anecdote that repetition will not be necessary.

The Great Air Race from England to Australia, which the Vickers Vimy crew ultimately won, was a product of the First World War's advancements in aircraft technology. Just 16 years after the Wright brothers had flown in the world's first aircraft for barely a few seconds, a daring challenge was set by Australia's then prime minister Billy Hughes. Aircraft technology had advanced quickly, but a plane's fuselage was still predominantly constructed with wood, wire and canvas. They featured an open cockpit and, on long haul flights, would rely on landing in remote jungle clearings and the like.

During the First World War, pilots on average would destroy six undercarriages, write-off two planes completely and be killed within two weeks of active service. Aviation was a dangerous vocation. Into the mix stepped Ross Smith, a member of the 3^rd Australian Light Horse Regiment which served in the Gallipoli conflict, a lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps, who would become the most decorated Australian airman of the First World War and a pilot to none other than Lawrence of Arabia.

Ross Smith, along with other crew members, had gallantry in abundance. He also had tremendous ingenuity, learnt from an upbringing farming sheep in remote South Australia, which would hold him and his crew in good stead for the challenges their cross-continental flight would present. Competing against the gallant, charismatic French pilot Etienne Poulet, whose aircraft featured a larger engine, the crew of the Vickers Vimy knew they had to take risks to win. At one stage, the Vickers Vimy took off on a leg of its journey in conditions considered unfit for flying. On this occasion, it was only the skills of the crew's navigator, Ross's brother Keith, which kept them alive, having been stuck above a storm for six hours in freezing conditions.

On another occasion, the product of one of the sponsors of their journey, Wrigley's chewing gum, was used to plug holes in the plane's fuselage. Of the six crews that competed in the great race, two crews perished. Fortunately for the Vickers Vimy crew, they survived. They were honoured by the Australian Imperial Force, and Ross and Keith Smith received knighthoods. Ms Anderson has explained that, for many of those who witnessed both, the Vickers Vimy triumph was considered just as awe-inspiring as NASA's first Moon landing in 1969. Sir Ross Smith died soon after the great race, test flying a Vickers Vimy Viking in 1922. His Melbourne funeral was attended by an estimated 100,000 people and he was described by the New York Times as a foremost aviator of his time.

There have been many legacies of the Vickers Vimy flight and triumph, including Vimy aircraft establishing Australia's first airmail service, various engineering and aerospace scholarships constituted under the Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund scholarships and, interestingly, the birth of many Keiths and Rosses, including Australian cricket great, Keith Ross Miller.

I note that in the last federal election in May this year both major parties committed $2 million to the relocation of the Vickers Vimy aircraft to the main terminal of the Adelaide Airport. I look forward to the federal government following through on this commitment. It would be a great addition to our city's major airport terminal. I am advised that the only other surviving Vimy aircraft in the world is viewed by more than three million people annually at the Science Museum in London. I commend the motion to the council.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:28): I rise today to further acknowledge the importance of recognising the achievements of South Australian brothers Ross and Keith Smith. December 2019 will mark the 100-year anniversary of when the two brothers piloted their modified Vickers Vimy bomber from England to Australia and won the Great Air Race in 1919. This historical achievement should be celebrated as a moment of state pride.

In celebration of South Australian history, in 2018 the History Trust of South Australia established the Epic Flight Centenary Committee in order to plan a number of events and activities to mark this occasion. Overseen by the Minister for Education, the aim of the committee was to collaborate in order to appropriately honour the success of the flight in a way that was constructively educational for all those involved.

The committee is chaired by the History Trust CEO, Greg Mackie OAM, and includes representatives from many community, corporate and service organisations, such as the South Australian Aviation Museum, the RAAF, the RAAF Association, the Royal Aeronautical Society of South Australia, North Road Cemetery, the RSL, Veterans SA, Nova Systems, News Corporation, Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund, Adelaide Mint, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Australian Airmail Society, South Australian Philatelic Society, Adelaide Airport Limited and the State Library of South Australia.

I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated patronage of Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Retired); former astronaut, Dr Andy Thomas AO; and Epic Flight Centenary ambassador, Lainie Anderson, who is a writer and journalist of note. Their support has ensured the 2019 program is both vibrant and educational, additionally allowing for the release of special commemorative coin issues from the Royal Australian Mint and special commemorative stamp issues from Australia Post. Each of these highlight the historical importance of the occasion.

The South Australian government has been an active supporter of the committee's work, including providing financial support through the History Trust. This contribution has assisted in creating a busy program for the commemoration, including the Sir Ross Smith commemoration service at St Peter's Cathedral; South Australia's History Festival events, including two book launches, three public lectures and a bus tour; the Epic Flight Centenary essay competition; and support for the forthcoming documentary, The Greatest Air Race, to be screened on SBS.

Other events include the Anzac Spirit School Prize competition, featuring the brothers' story this year; Vickers Vimy open day at Adelaide Airport on 20 October; historic aircraft flight paths on 20 October; forthcoming exhibitions at the State Library of South Australia and Art Gallery of South Australia; public displays at Superloop Adelaide and the Edinburgh Air Show; and extensive media coverage through The Advertiser and the Sunday Mail.

The aircraft itself is still stored in Adelaide. Since the 1950s, it has been stored near the airport but is unfortunately no longer accessible to the public. Its fragile condition prevented it from being moved in the Adelaide Airport upgrade in 2005. It is the intention of the state and commonwealth governments, in partnership with Adelaide Airport, to preserve the Vickers Vimy and a collection of memorabilia. Careful relocation of the aircraft and memorabilia will be facilitated to a purpose-built display facility integrated within the main terminal building expansion.

Moving the plane to a higher traffic area within Adelaide Airport allows for Ross and Keith Smith's story and great achievements to have a continued and lasting impact on future generations. It will create a focal point for this year's centenary celebrations and provide ongoing benefits for South Australian residents and the millions of tourists and business travellers who transit through the airport each year. Adelaide Airport, which is managing the project in conjunction with the commonwealth, will release detailed plans in due course.

The government supports the motion, with an amendment to replace paragraph 6, which I now move:

Leave out paragraph 6 and insert a new paragraph as follows:

6. That this council welcomes the announcement that the state and commonwealth governments will work with Adelaide Airport to relocate the Vickers Vimy aircraft to the new airport, noting that the move will be managed in a way so as to ensure the plane is not damaged in that relocation.

I commend the motion to the house.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:33): I wish to thank all honourable members for their contributions and that of the state government for supporting so many epic flight activities. It is gratifying that Australia continues to lead the way in the world of aviation a century on from this magnificent achievement. Recently, we saw a Qantas flight undertake the longest non-stop flight in history, from New York to Sydney. The airline also flies from Perth to London on the famous Kangaroo Route, which I guess the Vimy would have pioneered.

As we have heard, there was a big turnout recently at Adelaide Airport, where people were able to view the Vimy close up and enjoy an air show. The Adelaide Airport corporation's new home for the Vimy, to be built with state and commonwealth funding, looks like being quite an impressive structure and I am sure it will be an instant hit with travellers to our city. People remain in awe of the achievements of the Vickers Vimy and the crew, led by brothers Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith.

I noted recently that there was a push to rename Adelaide Airport after a pioneer aviator, Harry Butler—the Red Devil, as he was known. He certainly does have a place in our history for being the first to undertake an overwater mail run in the Southern Hemisphere, establishing the state's first airport at Northfield and then at Hendon and for his service in World War I. He attracted big crowds for his acrobatic aerial skills but, tragically, he died in a plane crash, as did one of the Smith brothers.

While there is much merit in commemorating Harry Butler's name, I think the feat of the Smith brothers is incomparable for its time. If we were going to rename our airport, where their plane is on display, I would say they richly deserve that accolade. I urge the South Australian government and Adelaide Airport to seriously consider the suggestion. In doing some research on airports that have been named after individuals, I went through a huge list of all our airports around the country. Incredibly, only a couple have been named after individuals. I think it would be apt for our airport to carry the name of such illustrious pioneers in aviation.

I would also like again to acknowledge the fine work of the producers of a documentary on the Vimy's epic flight: Susan Harrington, who was one of my colleagues at Channel 7 for many years, and newspaper columnist and avid Vimy advocate Lainie Anderson. She has done a tremendous job in ensuring that the memory of the Vimy continues to live on in our psyche.

I must also mention our own astronaut, Dr Andy Thomas, who is a narrator and shares his memories of visiting the Vimy when he was a youngster. The documentary will be screened nationally on SBS TV in early December and there will be a screening at Wallis Cinemas at Mitcham tonight. I am really looking forward to attending that. In closing, I strongly commend the motion to the Legislative Council, and I will accept the amendment of the Hon. Terry Stephens.

Amendment carried; motion as amended carried.