Eye on the Sky at Serpentine - Wings of Peace
From the golden age of flying, nigh on one hundred years ago Serpentine, a small village on the Loddon Valley highway in north central Victoria has a place in the early history of aeroplane derby’s, as it was chosen as the starting point of Australia’s first official air race, August 27th, 1920. The planes flew to Christ Church, St Kilda, circled the spire and proceeded to the finishing line over the Melbourne Town Hall in Swanston Street. Lt WH Treloar taking line honours in 1 hour 15 minutes, Captain RW McKenzie, 17 seconds later 2nd, with 3rd and 4th placegetters arriving 2 minutes later, 8 seconds apart.
A marker recognizing this special event was unveiled in Rudkins Park, Peppercorn Way, Serpentine, on Australia Day 1983.
The centenary of Australia’s first official air race is being celebrated at Serpentine, Victoria on Saturday March 21st 2020.
This celebration event ‘Wings of Peace’1920-2020 will have Tiger Moths and other biplanes competing for the coveted ‘Serpentine Cup’- an air race in a circuit starting and finishing at Serpentine. The August 1920 Air Derby was the joyous finale for the four aviators, Matheson, McKenzie, Mustard and Treloar, with four mechanics, Bacon, Hankin, Hazlitt and Moss, veterans of the Australian Flying Corp who had been traversing Victoria for the month promoting the latest Commonwealth Government bond sale, the Second Peace Loan. £25million(pound)raised from Australian based businesses and individuals, was needed to service existing war effort loans, repatriate the war weary service men and women back into civilian life with hospitals, housing, retraining, employment, restructure of industry to peace time work, farming land acquisition to name but a few.
Todays’ defence service personnel, face the same challenges settling into civilian life. East Loddon Historical Society Inc. are bringing together the local communities to host a family orientated commemorative celebration ‘Wings of Peace’ 1920-2020 a few kilometres south of the first race site. East Loddon Historical Society Inc. will be supporting Bendigo Legacy with funds raised from the day. Residents of the Shire of East Loddon one hundred years ago also raised enough funds to build a home in Melbourne, for a limbless soldier.
Saturday March 21st 2020 will be filled with aviation action. The ‘Serpentine Cup’ biplane air race, Paul Bennett Aerobatic stunts, static display of historic and modern airplanes, early century vehicles and other ground based displays and activities.
Tickets: $25.00 per person - 17 years and over
More stories and pictures and ticket bookings can be found on the Serpentine Air race web site https://serpentineairrace.com.au
Contact: elhs@bigpond.com
