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Six leading figures in Australian aviation, including Sir Reginald Ansett, were formally inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame (AAHOF) on Saturday.
A qualified pilot, Sir Reginald began Ansett Airways in 1936 with a six-seat Fokker Universal flying between Hamilton and Melbourne. From those beginnings, the airline grew to over 100 aircraft and served more than 80 Australian and international destinations.
“His legacy of some 46 years in aviation was a national airline icon with an international reputation for the highest standards of service and safety,” the AAHOF’s commendation reads.
The other five figures inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2014 induction dinner, held at Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga, were:
– Senja Robey, founding member and past president of the Australian Women Pilots Association;
– Horace Brinsmead, the first controller of civil aviation in Australia;
– Harry Hawker, the co-founder of Hawker Aircraft;
– Col Pay, a pioneer of warbirds, aerial ag and aerial firefighting in Australia, and;
– Ingo Renner, a four-time world and 19-time Australian gliding champion.
The Hall of Fame’s annual Southern Cross Award, meanwhile, which honours organisations that have made an “outstanding contribution to aviation” was presented to the Australian Air Force Cadets.
“The awards represent those who have not only achieved incredible feats personally but have also made outstanding contributions to the development of aviation and the fabric of Australian life,” AAHOF chairman Steve Padgett said.
More details on the AAHOF can be found on its website.
