By Robert Dorning with photos by Robbie Burns

On December 12, the Gliding Club of Victoria (GCV) celebrated its 80th birthday. This was one week after the Centenary of the first heavier-than-air flight in Australia (George Taylor in his home-built glider) showing that GCV would be one of the oldest, still existing, aviation organisations in Australia (and the world!) - a proud achievement and GCV is going as strong as ever.

The celebrations took the form of a Hangar Dance in our tug hangar with a 12 member band playing music from the 1940s to the present. Over 160 people attended and many wore clothes of an earlier vintage. A good time was had by all.

The idea of the hangar dance was Louise O'Grady's (affectionately known as Lulu because of her glider's registration LLU) and she was also the organiser of the event. Club President John Wharington was MC on the night and presented Louise with flowers in appreciation of her efforts. John also presented our Office Manager Rhonda with a potted plant for her support.

The Guest of Honour on the night was Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn who on his retirement one year ago was Deputy Chief of Staff of the Australian Airforce. The young John and his father Jim were members of GCV in the early 70s. John flew gliders first and then moved on to flying powered aircraft (learning at Benalla) to eventually hold one of the highest positions in Australian aviation. In his speech John said GCV had played an important role in his development as a young man and he held fond memories of the "characters" at Benalla who had encouraged him in his flying. In the afternoon John had a cross country flight with Graham Garlick in a Duo Discus and John has rejoined the Club to resume his gliding career.

John Blackburn

GCV shares Benalla Airfield with the Balloon Association of Victoria. In the early evening the balloonists put on a "night glow" on the tarmac outside the hangar as their contribution to the celebrations.

An auction of an out-of-spec Pawnee propeller was conducted by John Switala, with the proceeds going as a donation to the Benalla Country Fire Authority towards equipping their new fire truck purchased by themselves. If any readers are interested, the Club has a second such propeller and is open to bids (contact the author through the GCV Office). The propeller can easily be stripped of paint and polished to make an attractive feature for a dwelling or office.

The 80th birthday party was a great night and a very successful event for the GCV in many ways. Good publicity was achieved for the Club in the town and surrounding areas. A promotional flyer with photos of early and modern gliders was distributed to every house in Benalla. A poster was printed as a memento of the occasion with a montage of early and late gliders and gliding scenes from the very beginning to the present. This attractive poster is available for purchase by readers at the very reasonable price of $10  which includes postage and a tube packaging (contact the GCV Office).