Dennis Jensen (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of the government's Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program, RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum Bull Creek, in my electorate of Tangney, has been awarded a grant of nearly $81,000. John Park, the curator of the museum, has done a fantastic job with the museum.

The grant will fund the production of a documentary, Legacy of the World War One Aviators, exploring the stories of the group of legendary World War One pilots who came together to establish and operate Australia's first commercial airline, in the remote reaches of Western Australia. The documentary will be produced and directed by Peter Du Cane, a volunteer at the museum. It will tell the story of Western Australians Stanley Brearley and Sir Norman Brearley, who returned from World War One with the dream of establishing an airline.

Six years after the conclusion of World War One, Sir Norman launched Western Australian Airways, which took off on the first flight of a commercial airline in Australia on 5 December 1921. Over the next few years Sir Norman and Western Australian Airways would employ at least five more World War One fliers. This documentary is an important chronicle of that story. I acknowledge their industry, imagination and service and commend the award to the House.