Fly Away to Temora
28 September 2022 / Story: Brian Clayton, Jon Fox, Bob Downing; Photos: Anda Clayton, Dewi Brewitt, Rose Smith
Fly Away to Temora 23-26 Sept, 2022
Day 1 – Outward Bound and cloudy skies with showers promised. Time to leave the coast and seek sunnier climes. A recent hip replacement saw the author unable to get into his beloved MX5 so the SUV was called into action. Not wanting to pollute the procession of our beautiful MX5’s, sensible Bluey driven by Anda served as an appropriate Tail End Charlie.
Meeting up with three MX5s and their owners, run leader Geoff with Rose, Neil and Dewi, and Jon at the appointed time we set off for the hinterland. First stop was the new “comfort stop” at Nerriga where we picked up Bob and Linda. Some (seemingly) mandatory chat and a warning from our trip leader, Geoff, about the condition of the road to Goulburn and off we went. As expected, there were some stretches of potholes but careful driving saw us through.
Right on time, thanks to roadworks delays, we met the rest of the crew at Rose’s café in Goulburn. Barry and Robyn, Bill and Jan (and Goldilocks) from Illawarra and some new folks, Chris and Chris (Christine and Christopher) from Sydney chapter. Time for coffee and a delicious bun and it was time to move on.
The crew assembled at the Big Merino and proceeded down the Hume Highway, all fine except for one big black cloud that gave us all a wash. Turning off the highway we found ourselves in Binalong where lunch was scheduled at the pub. Time has largely stood still in Binalong and the place had that early twentieth century charm. The pub was one of those fabulous old style country pubs, which even boasted a roaring fireplace. We were served a delicious lunch in our own private room. There was time after lunch for a look around to explore the old buildings of a very picturesque town. Banjo Paterson had spent much of his childhood in Binalong, so it was no surprise to find a monument of the poet in a park dedicated in his honour. Our post lunch wander eventually brought us to a very talented glass blower, Peter Minson’s residence. At 80+ years of age, he was still producing some beautiful pieces, from teapots to glasses to jewellery.
Finally, it was off to Harden to our very comfortable motel accommodation and a delightful dinner at the Terracotta Café, run by a cheeky Irish couple. A fine end to our first day. (Brian Clayton)
Day 2 – The Air Show and the run saw a happy bunch of MX5ers push off for the Temora Aviation Museum for one of their famous flying days.
The clouds were heavy and low, but the rain held off, and the show must go on. Two Tiger Moths and a Ryan trainer were first into the air for a taste of how it was for new RAAF trainee pilots back in the dark days of WW11.
From May 1941, the airfield at Temora hosted the RAAF’s No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School, as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. At its peak, the unit held 97 de Havilland Tiger Moths.
My late Dad was one of the 2400 young pilots to receive their elementary flying training and solo at Temora, before being deployed to for further training in Australia, or other Commonwealth countries.
Next up were three Cessnas - 2 Birddogs and an O-2A. These aircraft were used as artillery spotters in Vietnam and played a vital role in calling in information for targeting and calling in fighter/bomber airstrikes as needed
The clouds started to lower even further, resulting in a halt of flying. The short break allowed the crowd time for a coffee and a hotdog before the sky cleared a bit, and the show was back on.
As a bit of time was lost, the displays came on thick and fast, with post WW11 trainers, an Australian made Winjeel and a CT-4 taking to the air.
These two trainers were quickly joined by a Hudson bomber that the RAAF flew on anti-submarine patrols off the WA coast, before being based in Milne Bay PNG, engaged in bombing, armed reconnaissance and maritime patrols.
The Hudson was soon joined by the two ‘stars of the show’, a Spitfire and a Kittyhawk. A Vietnam era Cessna Dragonfly came up to join the 3 WW11 aircraft in a ‘Missing Man’ formation.
The audience all stood and observed a minutes silence in respect for the late Queen Elizabeth 11 as the formation passed overhead. Quite a touching moment for many of us.
The Spitfire and Kittyhawk went on to perform some acrobatic manoeuvres for the audience, giving us all a taste of what these historic aircraft are capable of.
The museum’s beautifully restored Canberra bomber then took off for some spectacular passes of the field and soon after an Australian made Wirraway and a Harvard got into the show for the last display.
Over the entire day, an RAAF Spartan transport had been open as a static display for the crowd to inspect and even enter. Now the crew had to take it home, but not before they made a couple of passes over the audience.
The remaining aircraft on the flight line were then available for the audience to inspect up close and speak with the pilots. All in all, it was a BIG DAY, and another reminder of the service our RAAF has given us all over the last 100 years. (Jon Fox)
Day 3 – Trains and Chocolates The cloud of the previous day had given way to a bright but somewhat chilly Sunday morning, we said farewell to Dewi, Neil and Jon who made their way home. The remainder of the group proceeded “tops down “ to Junee through picturesque green and gold countryside...a lovely drive. First stop being a visit to The Roundhouse Rail Museum, where we were given some history and a tour of the museum was undertaken. The round house was opened in 1947 to service steam trains and has 42 repair bays. During the 1950's as more diesel locomotives were introduced it became more a diesel servicing facility, eventually in 1993 the NSW government closed the facility. After much local agitation it was handed over to a local group who after obtaining items of rolling stock opened to the public in 1994. Today a few bays of the facility are still used for maintenance of locomotives owned by private operators.
As we were leaving there were another 2 local MX5 enthusiasts and their cars in the car park who had travelled from Cootamundra when they heard that we had hit town. Our fame goes far and wide!
Next stop was the Chocolate and Liquorice factory where a long and lazy morning tea stop turned into a long and lazy lunch stop, mainly because the restaurant was overwhelmed with customers. The time between morning tea and lunch meant that many trips into the goodies shop could be made to stock up on comfort food and Xmas gifts. Our little cars were obviously going to have full boots! The final visit of the day was to the car museum opposite where there was an interesting display of mainly Australian built cars of the 50's to 70's plus some motor bikes and numerous Victa lawnmowers.
Once done it was time to return to Harden after a quick look around Junee and Cootamundra along the way.
Dinner had been arranged by Geoff at the local Harden Chinese restaurant where a good time and some good food was enjoyed by all. Despite us, being the only seated customers, there were many take-away's rolling out of the door. (Bob Downing)
Day 4 The return trip Following the departure of Anda and Brian the remaining 4 cars decided to return home in a leisurely run through Boorowa, Crookwell and Goulburn. Unfortunately, the 'hat' shop was not open, so it became a morning tea stop at Boorowa where it was decided that lunch would be at 'The Paragon' in Goulburn. However, along the route, it was determined that The Paragon was closed, so the lunch stop was changed to 'Roses', where we had all departed from on Friday morning. Barry and Robyn, Jan and Bill departed up the highway to Wollongong while Rose and Geoff, Linda and I took the scenic route through Bundanoon, Fitzroy Falls and Kangaroo Valley back to the South Coast.
Quick reflexes and our little cars managed the some-what questionable state of the roads in places bar a few thuds from huge pot holes. Thanks Geoff & Rose for organising and leading these great few days away during which we covered just over 1000km in the company of a great bunch of friends. (Bob Downing)
