The 2019 centenary year was marked with a diverse array of events aimed at engaging and inspiring the wider community. A comprehensive calendar of events coordinated by the Epic Flight Centenary (EFC2019) Committee was reinforced by dozens of major events themed around the epic flight, as well as activities, displays and talks organised by passionate community groups and local library teams.

March

  • Superloop 500 Adelaide, with a major EFC presence in the RAAF marquee
  • Organisations and community groups celebrating the centenary: Naval, Military and Air Force Club of SA; City of Marion International Women’s Day event at Glandore Community Centre; Sporting Car Club of South Australia

April

  • AFL ANZAC Round presentation to Port Power members at their “Before the Bounce” event at Adelaide Oval, pictured below

  • Community groups celebrating the centenary: Port Adelaide Historical Society; Quilters’ Guild of SA

May

  • Magical History Bus Tour, backed by a week-long competition promo on ABC Radio Adelaide, to key locations across Adelaide
  • Series of four 1919 Air Race lectures at the SA Aviation Museum
  • EFC appraisals table at an Australian Postcard Society event
  • Book launch for Flight to Fame (a reprint of Ross Smith’s 14,000 Miles Through the Air edited by Peter Monteath and published by Wakefield Press) at the Torrens Parade Ground Drill Hall. The book was officially launched by Epic Flight Centenary Patron Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston, AK, AFC, AFC (Ret’d), pictured below, who also provides the foreword for the publication

  • Who’s Wally? – an event honouring the life of Wally Shiers at his resting place, Centennial Park Cemetery
  • History Trust of South Australia Talking History event on the epic flight and its legacies, pictured below, incorporating the public launch of Lainie Anderson’s novel Long Flight Home, published by Wakefield Press
  • God ’Elp All Of Us exhibition at The University of Adelaide Library
  • Community groups celebrating the centenary: Catholic Women’s League Stirling

June

  • Sir Ross Smith Commemoration Service at St Peter’s Cathedral, commemorating the 97th anniversary of the aviator’s burial, followed by lunch for 200 VIPs hosted by the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority
  • Community groups celebrating the centenary: Henley & Grange Historical Society; RSL Today Radio

July

  • South Australian Aviation Museum launch of Vickers Vimy mural with projection art and light show
  • Defence Teaming Centre annual dinner and awards ceremony, pictured right
  • Organisations and community groups celebrating the centenary: Adelaide Club; National Seniors Brighton; Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize; Service Voices program on Radio Adelaide; Henley & Grange Historical Society

August

  •  Epic Flight Centenary Schools Competition
  • Epic Flight Unearthed public call for memorabilia, all of which is now on show among our collections
  • Organisations and community groups celebrating the centenary: Harry Butler Centenary Committee, Minlaton; Rotary Club of Adelaide; Adelaide Symphony Orchestra; SASTA (SA Science Teachers’ Association) Oliphant Science Awards Open Day, pictured right

September

  • Launch of the Royal Australian Mint’s Great Air Race collection in the Vickers Vimy hangar
  • World Routes Conference, Adelaide Showgrounds, where the Epic Flight Centenary was showcased at the globe’s biggest gathering of airlines and airports. Pictured right are South Australian Tourism Minister David Ridgeway and EFC Committee members David Figg and Steve Harrison
  • Organisations and community groups celebrating the centenary: Gawler ALP; City Of West Torrens Hamra Centre Library in Hilton; Combined Probus Club of Woodville South; Prospect Probus Club; Mt Gambier Library; Penola School Community Library; History Teachers’ Association of Australia

October

November

  • State Dinner hosted by the Premier of South Australia, Hon. Mr Steven Marshall in honour of the Epic Flight Centenary
  • RAAF Base Edinburgh Air Show, themed ‘From Vimy to Fifth Generation in 100 Years’
  • Heroes of the Skies exhibition at the State Library of South Australia
  • Cinema screening of The Greatest Air Race documentary
  • Numismatic Society of SA exhibition of coins and banknotes
  • Adelaide Soaring Club 75th anniversary at the South Australian Aviation Museum, pictured right
  • Organisations and community groups celebrating the centenary: Friends of the University of Adelaide Library; City of Port Adelaide Enfield; Mid North Christian College; South Australian Tourist Guide Association

December

EFC2019 Committee members at the Lord Mayor’s Civic Reception at Adelaide Town Hall. L-R: Andrew Boucaut, Gary Lloyd, Paul Sykes, Geoff Strempel, Greg Weller, James Blagg, Robert Moore OAM, Martin Walker, Greg Mackie OAM, David Figg and Barrie Newman. Absent: Jim Whalley, Justine Firth, Lainie Anderson, Dave Helman OAM, David Byrne and Steve Harrison.