| posted on April 20, 2017
OFFICIAL Anzac Day Commemorations occur on April 25 each year, but there is nothing to stop us making the most of our local links to the Anzac legend by visiting the many facets of the Albany Heritage Park.
Apart from spending time at the award winning National Anzac Centre, it is always well worth calling in to The Forts main barracks to check out the museum of military memorabilia, and also discover all sorts of interesting facts and figures about Albany’s role in the two world wars.
The current Warbirds exhibition, in the adjoining main gallery, is due to finish on April 30 and well worth a visit if you haven’t been there yet.
The kids will love it.
The collection of 90 WWII model aircraft were donated to the museum by John Wilson from Kendenup in 2011, each of which took hours to complete and paint.
There is also plenty of interesting information about Albany’s aviation history and links to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which may come as a surprise.
In late 1930, Albany’s first aerodrome was initially set up by a local farmer Mr W Green, with the first five planes landing on February 21, 1931 to a cheering local crowd.
In 1935 Albany’s first airline service was established.
In 1939 at the outbreak of WWII, Albany was high on the list as being vital for the defence of Australia.
Upgrades and extensions to the aerodrome were funded and completed by the Federal Government and in 1940 the RAAF took control.
The Albany aerodrome was used as an Advanced Operational Base supplying fuel and service to heavy and medium bombers and reconnaissance and fighter planes.
Albany was also important in the protection of shipping routes to the East Indian Ocean.
In 1945 after hostilities ceased, the RAAF left and civilian aviation took over the airport.
– Anne Simpson
