In 1922 Reg Stewart Sr began the process of bringing an aviation industry to Benalla.
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Born in Crofton St in 1903, he would develop a strong interest in aviation throughout his formative years.
With no way of being personally involved at the time he devised a plan to get aircraft to stop in Benalla.
Mr Stewart's son Reg Stewart Jr said in the early part of the 20th century aircraft needed good weather to fly over the divide to get to Melbourne.
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“Otherwise (they had to) land somewhere and wait until the weather cleared,” Mr Stewart said.
“So he set about finding a suitable local landing field, and would also arrange for one of the local fuel depots to carry a stock of aviation fuel.
“He then let it be known what was available at Benalla, and that he would arrange for transport and fuel for visiting pilots.”
His plan worked, and aircraft began to stop at Benalla at his first landing field in 1923.
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That was based on what was known as the Poker Paddock near the Benalla sale yards.
“This showed his lack of experience as it was quite unsuitable,” Mr Stewart said.
“After a few other moves, a site was finally selected on Kilfeera Rd opposite the current airfield.
“This remained in service for well over a decade.
“He got to know all the early pioneers and the stories he used to tell of the antics that they got up to when visiting and waiting at Benalla would have filled a book.
“These were the true pioneer days of flight and were true visionaries.
“They were often ridiculed for their visions of aviation progress in the future.
“But none of their predictions came anywhere close to the reality of the progress that actually occurred.
“Those pioneers that survived those early days were in complete wonderment at what they were witnessing.
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“My father was a polio victim as a child and was left with a shortened leg, which meant that he was unable to be a licenced pilot.
“He dedicated all of his activities to a support role in aviation to further its progress wherever he could.”
After moving to Wangaratta in the early 1940s, Reg Sr set about forming a local aero club as soon as the war ended.
“He spent endless hours, often with me in tow, clearing timber and other obstacles for the original aerodrome. Any visitors were assured of fuel and transport,” Mr Stewart said.
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“He also partnered with the late Bill Higgins, the owner of the Wangaratta Chronicle, to start a tourist shop, specialising in flight travel.
“The purpose was to increase the awareness of the community to air travel soon after the war.
“They were very successful and after a several years of solid growth they sold it off.
“Their mission had been accomplished.”
Reg Sr was awarded Life Membership of the Wangaratta Aero Club for his long and active service.
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In 1980 he was also awarded the prestigious Royal Federation of Aero Clubs Medal for Outstanding Service to the Australian Aero Club Movement.
Sadly, he died in a car accident in 1984 while travelling out to the new aerodrome site at Wangaratta where he was assisting with its construction.
But he left a great legacy as a true aviation pioneer even though not a pilot.
“A few days before his accident it was my privilege to have given him his last flight,” Mr Stewart said.
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“We flew predominately around the Benalla district where he took great delight in viewing from the air all those places he remembered from those early days.
“He took particular delight in seeing the old farm at Thoona where he used to drop newspapers to my mother in their courting days, relating the laughs they had of the mistakes they made, and lost newspapers, in getting the drop just right.
“Just one of his many stories from the past.”
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