History
From wartime origins to one of Australia's premier gliding clubs.
The Southern Cross Gliding Club has evolved from the amalgamation of several early gliding clubs that sprang up around Sydney, and settled at Camden Airport.
The Early History of Southern Cross Gliding Club
Sydney Button built his Zogling Primary Glider and test flew it in 1941 on the paddocks at Matraville, right next to Mascot Airport. He taught himself to fly by getting a friend to operate his Essex car which had the back wheel jacked up and fitted with a drum full of wire. He learned take-offs and landings first (which is reasonable) before going a bit higher.
The AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australia) Gliding Club started in July 1944 and purchased Button's Primary Glider, did it up, and test flew it on 1st January 1946 at Doonside. As people from outside AWA were starting to join the club, it was decided to change the name to Southern Cross Gliding Club. The inaugural meeting was held on the 8th January, 1948 at Respins Restaurant, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney.
The Full History
By John Postlethwaite
Many people from the old days have written tall tales but true about the gliding characters of yesteryear. I decided to narrow the focus and orient my approach towards gliding in New South Wales and how it related to the Southern Cross Gliding Club. So this is the story of our Club, and how and why it all got started.
Miro's System
Some of our more recent club members may be unfamiliar with the name ‘Miro Vitek’, however, to many, Miro will be fondly remembered as ‘The Man in the Tower.’
What is beyond dispute is that the club remains operating from Camden solely due to the efforts of this one man, and arguably owes its continuing existence to him too.
Key Milestones
First glider flight in Australia by George Taylor at Narrabeen, NSW
Harry Ryan begins gliding with Martin Warner at Cronulla sandhills
Ron Roberts uses new circling technique for thermal soaring in Victoria
Dr George Heydon imports Slingsby Gull 1, forms Sydney Soaring Club
Sydney Button builds a Zogling primary glider and test flies it at Matraville
AWA Gliding Club formed in July
Button’s Primary Glider rebuilt and test flown at Doonside on 1st January
Club renamed to Southern Cross Gliding Club; inaugural meeting held at Respins Restaurant, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney on 8th January
Gliding Federation of Australia constituted
Club moves from Fleurs Airstrip to Camden Airport
Kookaburra two-seater glider acquired in November after longest aerotow in Australian history; named “Heydon”
First woman member Irene Postlethwaite joins; Grunau Baby sailplane acquired
Membership grows to 40; ES57 Kingfisher acquired; first camp at Narromine
Ron Adair becomes CFI, begins safety campaign; Jean Dines earns first female Silver C
Trevor Kyle provides Auster tow plane; club enters the aerotow age
First K7 training glider purchased; modernisation of fleet begins
First weekday instruction courses organised