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Centenary of First Powered FlightPrint Page 
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. |
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 |
|---|
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
"Flight"
Artists : Mothers Arts Productions
Commissioned by : Melton Shire Council 2010
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
