ABOUT
WHO ARE WE
Toowoomba City Community Aerodrome, a beacon of light in our community, proudly stands as Australia's oldest continuously operating airport—a symbol of our rich history and a cornerstone for our future growth.
We are a dedicated community of stakeholders committed to preserving the Toowoomba City Aerodrome as a vital, community-owned asset and regional aviation hub.
United by a shared vision of economic growth, connectivity, and long-term sustainability, we advocate for transparent operations and financial stability. We work to ensure the Aerodrome continues to provide valuable services to our region, fostering confidence among leaseholders, businesses, and the community.
Through collaboration and strategic partnerships, we strive to secure the future of this important asset for the benefit of current and future generations.
VISION
Together, we aim to save and sustain the Toowoomba City Aerodrome as a vital regional aviation hub, ensuring economic growth and connectivity for our region.
HISTORY
- Bert Hinkler, born in Bundaberg, Queensland, was a pioneer aviator. In 1928, he flew the first solo flight from England to Australia, for this achievement he flew his Avro Avian G-EBOV.
- It was on 16 June 1928 that Hinkler landed in Toowoomba at the Clifford Park racecourse flying G-EBOV.
- On 29 May 1930, the first woman to fly from England to Australia, Amy Johnson, landed at what was then known as the Werrington Park Aerodrome or the Wilsonton Aerodrome.
- In August 1932, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, a pioneer Australian aviator, landed at Toowoomba in his Fokker Trimotor named the 'Southern Cross'. It was in this plane that he made the first non-stop flight across the Australian continent and the first flight across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.
- Between 1939 and 1945, the airfield was used at various times by Defence Assets with the cooperation of its owner, Mr. Rankin.
- In January 1944, the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Directorate of Works and Building (DWB) prepared the airfield for a flight of No 5 Army Co-op Squadron in its move to Toowoomba. The unit was quartered and its CAC Wirraways were dispersed in trees across the Western Highway some 200–300 m (660–980 ft) north of the Wilsonton Post Office, and 500–600 m (1,600–2,000 ft) north of the present runway location.
- In June 1946, the Darling Downs Aero Club was formed on the grass paddock at Wilsonton by a small yet eager group of pilots. Initially, it operated only on the weekends (out of a borrowed tent), and flying training was conducted for and on behalf of the club by the Royal Queensland Aero Club (Archerfield).
