Reaching Back

Returning to the birthplace of Qantas in support of Pathfinders

One can imagine that Sir Hudson Fysh and his fellow airline founders would have been proud. Nine decades after their humble beginnings, a new state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 adorned in Qantas colours (VH-XZE Pine Creek) sat a mere stone’s throw away from the original hangar at Longreach where it had all begun. To add to the significance of the reunion, the Boeing was there in the name of charity.

Each year the Qantas staff charity Pathfinders takes to the skies to Returning to the birthplace of Qantas in support of Pathfinders WRITER: OWEN ZUPP REACHING BACK support the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind children (RIDBC). While Qantas supplies the aeroplane and catering, Shell donates the fuel, Airservices and Queensland Airports provide support in kind while the pilots and cabin crew avail their time. What remains is a flight unheeded by costs, allowing the proceeds from the passengers’ fares to go directly to the RIDBC.