Shepparton was well known beyond its regional bounds and, as a result, had a certain pulling power — enough to attract pioneering aviator Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, who in 1933 flew his famous plane, the Southern Cross, to Shepparton. He landed in Hawkins Paddock (now Ford Rd) to the north of the town.
Godfrey Medland of Bunbartha, then a wiry six-year-old in short pants, made the trek into town on Melbourne Cup Day, November 7, 1933, to witness the visit of “Smithy”. His Fokker tri-motor monoplane touched down at Hawkins Paddock, from where Sir Charles took a lucky few on joy flights for five shillings a ticket.
Medland and his father arrived by horse and gig to see the much-talked-about plane. He was among the fortunate locals who took to the skies with “Smithy” that day.
“I remember quite clearly the horse being tied up to the fence, and then walking across to the plane and thinking how big it was,” Medland recalled. “It was noisy … we flew over Shepparton, which was very small in 1933, for about 30 minutes, and I spent the time fascinated by what I could see out the window.”
He also remembered that Kingsford-Smith was “a tall, charming man who shook my hand.”
Residents talked about the visit for months afterward. A yellow ticket dated November 7, 1933, found in a local museum, remains one of the few tangible reminders of the day “Smithy” came to town.
The Shepparton Heritage Centre is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested you can contact the centre on 4831 8659.
