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News & Media Speeches Thank you for 75 years Australian Air League
News & Media Speeches Thank you for 75 years Australian Air League | Thank you for 75 years Australian Air League |
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Mr Charles Majarian, Officer Commanding Parramatta Squadron, The Australian Air League Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, This evening I am delighted to join with you, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Australian Air League Parramatta Squadron. On this special occasion we acknowledge the Squadron’s long commitment to the Parramatta community and recognise Mr Robert Robey for his years of dedicated service to the League. On August 1 1934, the Australian Air League was incorporated as a limited liability company, with Keith Robey, Captain Walter William Beale, OBE and five others as signatories. Soon after, the Governor General Sir Isaac Isaacs granted his patronage, and the names of prominent Sydney business men began to appear on the Corporate Members Register. The first training Squadron opened at Manly, New South Wales on 17 January 1935 with 30 Cadets aged between 14 and 23 years. By March 1935, the Manly Branch had around 90 members and the League’s ambitious aim was to open one branch per week. By May that same year, Branches had also been formed at North Sydney, Mosman, Mascot, Burwood, Warringah, Randwick, Bathurst, Cootamundra and Katoomba. A Vice-Regal Ball was held in Sydney, with debutantes being presented to the Governor General. The first squadron to open in the Parramatta district was at Granville in mid-1935, then Parramatta in September of that year. The two squadrons merged during World War 2, with many officers and instructors joining the armed forces, and is the 3rd oldest squadron in the Australian Air League. The Squadron’s first meeting room was at Fitzwilliam Street and in 1936 they moved to the Parramatta Intermediate School, now Arthur Phillip High until 1945. The Squadron purchased land at Jubilee Park in Harris Park and joined two ex army huts together to form an office, lecture room, hall, and kitchen and quarter master store. The main hall stored a Tiger Moth, a small two seater trainer and 3 aircraft engines. On October 8 1966, a fire destroyed the hall and most of the Squadron’s equipment was lost. The Squadron was then relocated to Parramatta City Hall and eventually acquired land for the present site. Fundraising enabled the Squadron to build a new hall in 1970 and was officially opened by then Mayor of Parramatta Alderman Barry Wilde on March 20 1971. Since the Squadron was formed it has represented, achieved and won many awards; with some of the major awards being; · The Squadron of the Year, · Best in education, · Best in Field, · 1st at Swimming and Athletic Carnivals, · Attending almost every Federal, Group and Wing parades and reviews, and · Wining many trophies for Best Wing, Squadron, Flight and Flag Party. Today, the Australian Air League is a national youth organisation for boys and girls from 8 years of age and over. There are currently more than 80 Squadrons active in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, South Australian and Western Australia, with more Squadrons continuing to open. And of course, one of the most dedicated members is Mr Robert Robey who has given 48 years service to Parramatta and the Air League. Rob has been the Officer Command for a total of 24 Years. The League continues to build on the ideals formed by its founders over 70 years ago; · To promote an interest in aviation both as a career and as a hobby in the youth of Australia, · To provide opportunities to develop good citizenship, teamwork, and · To develop ingenuity and resourcefulness of members. I congratulate the Parramatta Squadron on its longevity and its service to our community.
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