These pages index articles that appeared in the house newspaper Transport
Australia, later Aviation Australia between 1981 and 1987.
They provide an interesting insight into the activities of the Department
at that time. The paper was Transport Australia whilst aviation
was part of the greater Department of Transport. Click here to refer
to an organisational timeline.
Names of
staff or other personalities have been highlighted in bold. To
find an article on a particular subject or person, use your browser's
'search within page' function.
February
1983
· Who's Who in Switch +++ Changes in Management following retirement
of Peter Langford
· Transfer Programme nears end +++ Final stage in the transfer
of Central Office to Canberra
· As Others see us +++ Story in the Adelaide Advertiser about
the new Control Tower at Adelaide
· Mike Seymour a "Bloody Good Bloke" +++ History
and retirement of Mike Seymour
· Gone Fishin +++ Ron Heath injured fire-fighter becomes
world class fly fisherman
· Lyn is Top Operator +++ Lyn Peters Central Office Word
processing operator and supervisor of the Year
· Fire-fighters Win +++ Coolangatta fire-fighters win local Indoor
Cricket Competition
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to Retirees
· When Morse was the Key +++ Cocos IS - Mauritius Morse circuit
closed in 1980
· D of A appoints first Historical Officer +++ James Walker
is first full-Time Historical Officer
· Old Gooney Flies again +++ Ex WW2 RAAF and PNG DC3 flies again
for Air Queensland
· Not so Fast +++ Humorous story about Passenger-Captain Messages
· Airport served by Sea +++ Operations at Horn Is
· A Pat on the Back +++ Compliment from a Police pilot about
service received
· Research ends Speculation +++ Official explanation of VH prefix
March
1983
· New Minister for
Aviation +++ Hon Kim Beazley
is the new Minister
· RFFS answers call +++ Departments Fire Service involvement
in fighting Victorian Bushfires
· New Look F28 +++ Department's F28 Calibration aircraft shows
off new Livery
· The Final Exchange +++ Correspondence between outgoing Minister
Wal Fife and Col
Freeland Secretary to the Department
· Flying Doctor Retires +++ Dr John Lane Director of Aviation
Medicine, Retires
· Seven gain Study Awards +++ Dept. Officers receive Aus Public
Service Awards for study and Personnel Development Training
· Double Victory for Bowlers +++ DOA Team wins Interdepartmental
Competition and Neil Graham is individual Champ
· Can They do it? +++ Darwin TAI team tries for water speed record
in Beer can boat
· Quarter Century of Fight Service +++ Pictures - Then and Now
· Can You Help +++ Airports Division is compiling a history of
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
· Telling it Like it was +++ DAHS Compiling a record of Officers
recollections for posterity
· Star of the Show +++ Picture of a Desoutter Mk 2 In the Launceston
Airport Display area
· Tasmanian Airports upgraded +++ Hobart and Launceston works
· New Radar Aid for Airways +++ New Automatic radar data recording
system
April/May
1983
· Norfolk Joins Jet Set +++ Minister Beazley opens new
Jet runway in Departmental Flying Unit F28 VH-ATG
· Softly, Softly +++ Flying Unit Engineer Gary Esson describes
Flying Unit F28 Hush-kit Mods
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to Retirees
· Award for Rescue +++ Adelaide RTO Rod Capon and his
wife receive Bravery awards for rescuing driver from burning car
· So Long Jack +++ Jack Kennedy OIC Office services Melbourne
retires after 37 years
· Getting Better +++ Central Office crew take part in Raft race
on Lake Burley Griffin
· How Slow can you Go +++ Klemm L25 aircraft at the Schofields
Air-Show
· Schofields '83 +++ A personal Viewpoint by John Filler
· Schofields '83 +++ Centrespread Show Report
· Air Search and Rescue +++ Dept of Aviation Organisation
· Meeting Half-Way +++ Photo of NZ Min of Transport calibration
F27 and DOA F28 at Norfolk Is
· In Reply +++ C. Freeland's reply to a critical article
in Aircraft Magazine
· Minister Seeks ideas from D of A Staff +++ Minister seeks innovative
ideas
June
1983
· Communication needed with Industry +++ Article by C. Freeland
in the Australian Newspaper
· Minister tables Accident Report +++ Crash of King Air VH-AAV
at Sydney Airport
· Ian Leslie from Clerk's desk to Cockpit-Twice +++ Ian
Leslie Retires after 22 Years
· Medals for Fire-fighters +++ 15 Departmental Fire-fighters
receive National medal for long service
· Giving a hand +++ Departmental staff in Townsville raise funds
for sick daughter of colleague
· Back to first choice +++ Brian Norris Dir of Pers and
recruitment returns to position in the Anglican Church
· Cheers to +++ farewell to retiring staff
· Boeing Boeing +++ Phot of B747 and B707 at Sydney airport
· Another Link gone +++ Dept's last Link Trainer returned to
the RAAF
· Annual report "Highly Commended" +++ Aus Institute
of Public Admin Praises the Dept's report
· Pushing out the Frontiers- PNG Style +++ Ed Jackson
describes a visit to the Ok Tedi Mine
· Supply System under Review +++ Consultants review Dept's system
introduced in 1961
August
1983
· First Commander Arrives +++ VH-LTI first of the Dept's new
G1000 aircraft arrives at Essendon crewed by pilots Bill Penney,
Mick Vaughan and engineer Brian Beecham
· Commander is a World-Beater +++ Gulfstream Commander 1000 holds
10 international records
· Nearly half a century of service +++ Ken Smith (Supervisor
of ATC at Adelaide) retires after 34 years
· D of A Trainees doing well +++ Many Dept trainees do well in
their academic courses
· Cheers to +++ farewell to retiring staff
· Corner Shop Boy retires +++ Ken Woodford PTO Radio Facilities
Brisbane retires after 36 years
· Tea Attendant +++ Ann Newcombe retires after 18 years
as tea lady
· The Long Way Home +++ Description of the acceptance and delivery
flight to Australia of G1000 VH-LTI
· From such Beginnings +++ Short History of Ansett
· Boeing 767 in service +++ Ansett puts its first 767 into service
· Ansett on Display +++ Photo of Ansett fleet aircraft on display
at Melbourne
· Ansett's Big tin Shed +++ Ansett's Maintenance hangar fire
protection system
· Another New Boeing +++ Photo B747 stretched upper deck of SIA
· Here's how It's Done +++ Aerobridge parking guidance system
described
· Secretary meets Air Pioneer +++ Col Freeland meets Sir
Norman Brearley
· In the worst of taste +++ Central office competition to celebrate
Winter solstice
· Two Share Charlwood Prize +++ Geoff Dickie and Anne
Brownhill share ATC trainee prize
· "Digest" Thirty Years young +++ Aviation
Safety Digest mag is 30 yrs old
· Doing it Himself +++ Keith Jarvis retired ATC officer
and experienced pilot flies a glider of his own design
· Staff Counsellors meet +++ All 6 of the Dept's Staff Counsellors
meet in Canberra for exchange of ideas
· 20th RIV accepted +++ The last Cougar rapid intervention vehicle
is accepted by the Dept
October
1983
· Airport Authority: Task force to be set up +++ Implementing
the National Airports Authority
· Another Budget Boost +++ Improvement of facilities and airports.
· Welcome Gift +++ Central Office Library receives 300 books
from Institute of Engineers.
· Cheers To +++ Farewell to retiring Staff.
· Hat trick +++ Comedian Ronnie Corbett models Department's new
cap badge.
· Ideas may mean cash +++ ETO Max Joiner awarded $900
for improving Fire detection
· Winning Float +++ Derby AVIAT Social Club wins first prize
in float parade.
· One of the Few +++ Record of service held by Eric Trebilcock
at 50yrs 4mnths.
· Back Then +++ Arthur Corkhill reminisces about Mascot
Airport 50yrs ago.
· Another Pat on the Back +++ Letter from pilot praising Darwin
ATC
· New "Plastic" Trainer +++ British Slingsby Firefly
trainer, made out of Glass reinforced plastic.
· QANTAS to Re-equip +++ Qantas will use Boeing 767 on lower
density routes.
· Taking out the Guesswork +++ Radar instrument measures Helicopter
rotor blade alignment.
· Saving Energy +++ Regional Energy Co-ordinators meet in Sydney.
· Every picture tells a story +++ Mystery cockpit photograph.
November/December
1983
· D of A Streamlines "to get ahead of the game" +++
New Corporate "plan"
· Interscan moves on +++ After a decade of research Interscan
moves to operational use.
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to retiring staff.
· Lucky Bustard +++ Adelaide staff sponsor animals at the Adelaide
Zoo.
· More than sniffing drains +++ Duties of the Departments Health
Inspectors.
· Public to comment on new airport +++ New Sydney airport project
launched.
· A young winner from the West +++ John Evans wins Alan
Robert Memorial Award for work.
· Cutting a runway +++ 1 metre long runway birthday cake for
Asle Kolve's 60th birthday.
· Grants to fliers +++ General Aviation organisations to benefit
from federal grants.
· Jim's up, up, and away. A Dep Sec departs +++ Jim Schofield
Reminisces on Retirement.
· The new Dep Sec +++ Mr Alan Rainbird takes over as Deputy
Secretary (Jim Schofield.)
· The Corporate Objectives +++ List of objectives to be achieved
by the Corporate Plan
· The Medium and the Message +++ Improvements in the AFTN over
the years.
· Computer Applications +++ Upgrading the Departments computer
system.
· Pocket Rocket comes of age +++ Hawker Siddeley 125, 21 yrs
since first flight.
· Is there a bomb in your baggage? +++ Departments Dangerous
goods awareness programme.
· The deep South +++ Graham (Ned) Kelly Electrical fitter
at Casey Antarctic station.
February
1984
· K83 tests D of A response +++ Defence exercise problems with
civil-military Cooperation.
· Connellan dies at 71 +++ Pioneer Australian aviator Edward
John Connellan dies at 71.
· Recession stunts aviation growth +++ All Aviation activity
affected.
· A Popular Man +++ Doug Buckhorn, Warehouse Supervisor
Darwin during Cyclone Tracy.
· New Radar +++ New surface movement radar at Sydney Kingsford
Smith Airport.
· Help Wanted +++ Historian Kim Fawkes requests knowledge of
Empire Air training Scheme.
· KLM Flies into History +++ DC2 in KLM Livery to fly from Duxford
U.K. to Melbourne.
· The Uiver Plan +++ Netherlands Enthusiasts organise re-enactment
flight of DC2.
· Ponder no longer +++ Mystery photo identified as Boeing Capt
J. Waddell in B737.
· Backroom driver +++ Driverless rapid transit system at London
Gatwick Airport.
· Far from Home +++ Wien Alaska B727 outside Ansett Hangar Melbourne
(VH-RMU on lease).
· Safety Tips on Film +++ Story line of GA safety film
March
1984
· Hornet contracts to the Rescue +++ Australian industry benefits
from F18 offset contracts
· Australian record breakers +++ Two Australians set distance
records in piston and turboprop A/C
· Fat Alberts Quarter Century +++ C130 Hercules serves
25yrs with RAAF
· Humour tops reader poll +++ Readers of Transport Australia
want lots of humorous articles.
· A Birds eye view +++ New mural in Adelaide Airport depicts
Great Australian Bight.
· CSS: the section that counts +++ Statisticians in the Dept
of Aviation.
· Autumn Air shows +++ Traditional time for Air shows, ATC reader
input invited.
· Traffic up +++ Rise of 5% in Scheduled traffic carried by worlds
airlines last year.
· Dangerous Flying Companions +++ Dangerous Goods and the implications.
· Former TAA Chief dies +++ Sir Frederick Scherger ex RAAF and
TAA dies.
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to retiring staff.
· A flying link with the past +++ B25 Mitchell Bomber arrives
at Canberra, destined for the War Memorial museum.
· The test of time +++ Fatigue tests on B757 fuselage simulate
40 yrs of operation in 14 months.
· How Solo can you go +++ Helicopter exploits of Dick Smith.
April
1984
· Dept. Honours Hargrave centenary +++ Booklet released to mark
centenary of Lawrence Hargrave's first flight.
· New Chairman for SSS +++ Richard Johns is the new chairman
of the Staff Suggestion Scheme.
· Upgrading at Perth terminal +++ Upgrading of the International
terminal at a cost of $750,000.
· Ted retires after 37 yrs +++ Ted Stephenson Principal
Radio tech officer Adelaide retires.
· Well Done Clem +++ Clem Bollaart Outstanding electrical
apprentice Vic/Tas 1983
· ATC Anniversary +++ 20th anniversary of the Depts first
long term ATC course (Photo of members of that course)
· Cheers to +++ farewell to retiring Staff.
· Cost recovery inquiry starts +++ Independent committee of inquiry
of Aviation cost recovery policy.
· Historical Societys National meeting +++ First federal
meeting of Depts Historical Society to be in Adelaide.
· What is it? +++ mystery photo
· New Staff Counsellors +++ Dept of Aviation Central Office has
a new Staff Counsellor Ms Thea Biesheuvel.
· The man who gave his ideas to the World +++ Article on Lawrence
Hargrave, pioneer Australian aviator.
May
1984
· Aviation's sobering Statistics +++ Minister Mr Kim Beazley
addresses National Aviation Press Club.
· Secretarys message +++ Collin Freeland thanks
staff for efforts during the first two years of the Dept of Aviation.
· April Highlights +++ Important issues and developments that
occurred.
· Slogan contest +++ Prize for suggesting a slogan that describes
the Depts role in Aviation.
· Flight of her Life +++ 79 yr old Catherine Tizzard flies
with Dick Smith in his helicopter.
· Pilot training ignored says Minister +++ Minister Beazley
addresses RFAC annual conference.
· Essendons Museum +++ Custodian Roger Meyer describes
the Airways Equipment Museum.
· Improved Industry Outlook +++ International freight sector
leading Australian Aviation Industry out of recession.
· Coffs transfer brings ALOP near end +++ Airport transferred
to Coffs Harbour Shire Council under Aerodrome Local Ownership Plan.
· Department plans for consultation +++ Dept and ACTU agree on
peak forum for Staff/management consultation.
· Suggestion Scheme winners +++ description of scheme and list
of winners of prizes.
· Consultants for second Sydney site +++ Australian firm Kinhill
Stearns selected as principal consultants
· New Advisory Council to be established +++ National Airport
consultative council will advise Minister Beazley.
· Computers are coming +++ Automatic Data Processing system to
be tendered for, Tom Grant to head network team.
· Silver Axe presented +++ Brian Guthrie outstanding recruit
of the year in Queensland.
· Port Hedland Commissioned +++ New runway (2500m * 45m) commissioned
20th Feb 1984.
· A look at the first two years +++ Précis of activities
during the first two years of the Dept of Aviation.
June/July
1984
· Cost Recovery: need for change +++ Present regime not meeting
the target of adequate cost recovery.
· Dept communication moves +++ Steps to improve communication
with staff.
· May high lights +++ Important issues and developments that
occurred in May.
· Department Computer programme +++ Networking System to be called
The General Computing Network (GCN)
· Minister takes to the sky +++ Photo, Minister Beazley
in an Ultra-light aircraft at Mangalore84 Air show.
· Firefighter Rob Donnelly +++ Photos of Rob's motorcycle
racing at Bathurst (won 350 race)
· The "Gentleman" has retired +++ Lou Newton
retires in WA (Assistant Reg Director Flight Standards)
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to retiring staff
· Jenny's Switch from science to ATC +++ Jenny Oakhill
Laboratory scientist becomes first woman ATC officer at Alice Springs
· Recognising the Human Factors +++ Advanced course held by the
Dept for accident investigators.
· Video Programme launched +++ AVINEWS keeps Dept personnel in
touch with Dept activities Australia-wide.
· Improved Communications dampens Business travel +++ Sir
Peter Abeles interview with AVINEWS.
· Narromine +++ Narromine Ex Airforce Reunion to commemorate
WW2 training activities at the airfield.
· Two-hour Spacecraft +++ Trans-atmospheric Vehicles (TAV's)
could fly anywhere on Earth in two hours.
· Qantas gains highest level accreditation +++ B747 Flight simulators
awarded level 5 fidelity accreditation.
· Cocos Is and FOI +++ Freedom of Information activities include
releasing 70 files on Cocos (Keeling) Is.
· Tall tales and true of P.S. life +++ Article by Dr. Roy
Gilbert reprinted from BRW.
· The good oil on Adelaide +++ Humorous article about Historical
matters in S.A.
· Legislation to give TAA more freedom +++ TAA retained as a
Commonwealth Statutory Authority and given more commercial freedom.
·
and Qantas too +++ Qantas to have more say in running
it's own affairs.
· Aviation Anniversary +++ Photo, Collin Freeland, cuts
a cake to celebrate the Dept's second Anniversary.
· Directors-general to meet in SA/NT +++ DG's of civil aviation
in the Asia-Pacific region to meet in Adelaide.
· Minister DAHS Patron +++ Minister Beazley accepts offer
to become patron of the Dept's Historical Society.
· Industry Contact +++ Secretary Freeland confirms that
Regional Directors are the first point of contact with Industry.
· Forrest history search +++ Forrest Airport has a significant
place in Australian Aviation history.
· Industrial Democracy Unit formed +++ Introduction to the Public
Service Board's new Industrial Democracy Unit.
· BASI to upgrade it's computer system +++ New computers in Regions
to be networked directly to Central Office.
· DAHS names Life members +++ Five Society members named.
· Twists and turns in the life of a Lodestar +++ Ex RAAF machine
joins the ranks of Dept aircraft (more dept history here)
· Flying Safari marks annual conference +++ Royal Federation
of Aero Clubs meet in Alice Springs.
· "Monster" unveiled +++ Photo of Monegeetta Monster.
(Experimental fire vehicle - late 1950's)
· Staging an Air Show +++ Story of the Mount Gambier Golden Air
Classic 1984 (with photos)
August
1984
· SAR System "Appropriate" +++ Committee of review
reports system appropriate to our needs, by and large.
· June/July highlights +++ Important issues and developments
that occurred in June and July.
· Setting things straight +++ Some common concerns and questions
addressed.
· Charlwood prize shared again +++ Kristin Truman and
Maurice Stanton share Don
Charlwood prize
· The "Black Prince" retires +++ Ray Soden Director
Air traffic Control retires after 30 yrs.
· Librarians get together +++ Photo, Librarians from the Dept
and industry meet in Canberra.
· Queen of the Air +++ Essendon ATC officer and pilot Jennifer
Petts is Queen of GA Expo at Essendon
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to retiring staff
· 20 Years on Campus +++ Celebration of the 20th Anniversary
of the Air Navigation Group at Sydney University.
· Industrial relations milestone +++ Dept of Aviation Consultative
Council (Dof ACC) meets in Canberra
· Pitchblack 84 we were there too +++ Involvement of ATC in Major
defence exercise.
· Asbestos study published +++ Occupational health and safety
report and implications for the Dept.
September/October
1984
· Aviation Budget +++ Size and disposition of the 1984/85 Aviation
budget.
· Melbourne Airport in the 21st Century +++ Master Plan for expanded
airport.
· New Appointments +++ Jerry O'Dea (FAS Flight Standards)
Christine Goode (FAS Management Services) Phil Bowen (FAS
Domestic Policy )
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to retiring staff
· Staff Socceroo +++ Jimmy Cant (Canberra Computer Centre)
selected for the National Soccer team.
· More Charlwood
Prizes +++ Phillip Mayo wins Long-term ATC Charlwood prize
· National Medal +++ Brian Saal, Mackay airport fireman,
wins National Medal for 15yrs diligent emergency service.
· Aviation Portfolio +++ Full page organisation chart of senior
management.
· SSA Centre Success +++ Second Sydney Airport Community access
centre.
· First Aboriginal Pilot +++ Mark Yinigiya from the NT
gains restricted Private Pilot licence.
· First controlled private strip +++ Hamilton Is accepts RPT
aircraft.
· Airline savings in Australia +++ Innovative ATC procedures
save airlines money.
· Foundation Apprentices +++ Dept Flying Unit accepts the first
apprentice AME's Brendan McMahon and Andrew Swanson.
· Firemen Invaded +++ Canberra Firefighters host Canberra schoolchildren.
· Canadian DC3 Rally +++ Expo86 in Canada to celebrate 50th Anniversary
of DC3 with a DC3 Rally.
· Cutover Contortions +++ Description of the in-service commissioning
of a new console at Melbourne Tower.
· Gove- the Living Paradise +++ Description of living conditions
at Gove for FS Personnel.
· More Accidents due to stress +++ Relationship between human
factors and accidents.
November/December
1984
· SAR - Big response to new plan +++ Big industry response to
plan for semi-dedicated SAR operation.
· D-G's meet in Adelaide +++ Successful meeting of Asia/Pacific
Civil Aviation leaders.
· New Aviation Minister +++ Mr Peter Morris takes on Aviation
portfolio and retains Transport. Photo.
· A message from the Secretary +++ Christmas message welcoming
change and challenge in the Dept.
· "Human Factors" campaign call +++ FAS Flight Standards
Jerry O'Dea calls for intelligent ordered campaign.
· Cheers to +++ Farewell to retiring staff
· Obituary +++ George Alfred Robert Dodkin Supt Bureau
of Air Safety. Ex WW2 RAF and respected instructor.
· Wal takes the wheel +++ Wal Hughson O.I.C. Inshore rescue
base Botany Bay retires after 45 yrs service.
· TAA Board +++ Minister Beazley announces the appointment
of Ms Diana Bryant (first woman) to the TAA board.
· AWB: 'Responsible, dedicated' - Helo Boss +++ Tribute to Airworthiness
Branch from Bell Helicopter Executive.
· First Corporate Plan released +++ Secretary Freeland releases
plan for Review, Technical development and Cost Efficiency.
· Costs study 'Significant' - Secretary +++ Sec Freeland
indicates the study will have far reaching implications.
· The right 'Mann' for the job +++ Sheila Mann researches
the history and role of women in aviation.
· Minister, Secretary address convention +++ Civil Air Operations
Officers Association's Biennial convention.
· Minister opens Perth lounge +++ Minister Beazley opens
the Ansett Golden Wing lounge.
· Himalayan Traverse - a walk on the top of the world +++ Barry
Jacobs describes tough holiday trek.
· GA 'Vital Link' - Minister +++ Minister Beazley states
that GA is still the vital link to outback areas.
· Is seeing believing? +++ Psychology student Gena Watt
tests pilots and non pilots for visual perception
Click here
to read Part 1 - 1981-2,
Part 3 - 1985-86 or
Part 4 - 1987
Index compiled by Brian Surtees, CAHS
Back to
the main General
Organisational History index