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Centenary of First Powered Flight :18-04-2014
Centenary of First Powered Flight :18-04-2014

Photographs supplied by Kent Watson / Sandra Brown

The monument with tall poles to echo the grass lands, and a structure that is influenced by Houdini’s Voisin Biplane commemorates the centenary of first powered flight in Australia by Harry Houdini at Diggers Rest in 1910.

On March 18, 1910 whilst on a visit to Australia and in a Voisin biplane (purchased for US$5,000 in Hamburg, Germany prior to the trip ), Harry Houdini made the first controlled, powered flight of an aeroplane in Australia, at Digger's Rest in Victoria, Australia.

Location

Address:Old Calder Highway, Stan Payne Reserve, Diggers Rest, 3247
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.628686
Long: 144.721175
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
View Google Map

Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:Technology
Sub-Theme:Industry
Actual Event Start Date:18-March-1910
Actual Event End Date:18-March-2010
Designer:Mothers Art

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Thursday 18th March, 2010
Front Inscription

 

 

Left Side Inscription

Centenary of first powered controlled sustained flight in Australia
18 / 03 / 1910 - 18 / 03 / 2010

The community of Diggers Rest acknowledge famous escapologist Harry Houdini as the first person to make a successful controlled, powered and sustained flight in Australia at "Plumpton Paddock", Diggers Rest in a Voisin biplane on 18 March 1910.

He achieved 3 flights on 18 March 1910, the longest being 3 mins 30 secs. Certified by the Aerial League of Australia.

This commemorative plaque was officially unveiled by His Worship, Cr Justin Mammarella JP, Mayor of Melton Shire Council
18 March 2010.

Councillors
Cr Kathy Majdlik (Deputy Mayor) Cr Broden Borg  Cr Renata Cuglian
Cr Sophie Ramsey                       Cr Garry Stock   Cr Bob Turner

 

Back Inscription

 "Flight"

Artists : Mothers Arts Productions

Commissioned by : Melton Shire Council 2010

Right Side Inscription

Centenary of first powered controlled sustained flight in Australia
18 / 03 / 1910 - 18 / 03 / 2010

The community of Diggers Rest acknowledge famous escapologist Harry Houdini as the first person to make a successful controlled, powered and sustained flight in Australia at "Plumpton Paddock", Diggers Rest in a Voisin biplane on 21 March 1910.

Flight duration 7mins 37 secs.  Height achieved 100ft.  Certified, timed and witnessed.

This commemorative plaque was officially unveiled by His Worship, Cr Justin Mammarella JP, Mayor of Melton Shire Council
18 March 2010.

Councillors
Cr Kathy Majdlik (Deputy Mayor) Cr Broden Borg  Cr Renata Cuglian
Cr Sophie Ramsey                       Cr Garry Stock   Cr Bob Turner

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au