WW1. LIEUTENANT W.H. TRELOAR, AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS (AFC), IN THE COCKPIT OF HIS AIRCRAFT, 1914-10-05

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 SHORT HISTORY...

The Bendigo Club dates right back to 1929 when the founder, Lieutenant W.H. (Harold) Treloar, proposed forming a new club at Myers Flat, eight miles from Bendigo. 

Bendigo had become quite aviation conscious with the appearance of balloons and gliders over the city. Powered flight demonstrations had been given from as early as 1911. 

The Myers Flat aerodrome was opened with much fanfare and thousands paying one shilling to watch a brilliant display of aerobatics performed by two air-force officers. The Bendigo Aero Club as it was then known, was the first club to have it's own officially approved aerodrome. 

The Aero club conducted flying training in an ex-World War 1 De Havilland DH-6. A flying licence cost approx. Sixty Pounds. Bendigo Airways Services was inaugurated also in 1929 to take fare paying passengers. 

Another 'first' was the membership of the clubs first lady member, Miss Maud Ferguson of Bendigo. 

An early start to the clubs long history of very successful air pageants took place with mixed displays of aerobatic aircraft and the then novel event, parachute descents. 

There was great excitement when Air Commodore Kingsford Smith visited Myers Flat aerodrome in February 1932. 

The Mid 30's saw the depression take it's toll and the Myers Flat aerodrome closed. Meanwhile, the North Bendigo Aerodrome was started utilising 'sustenance labour' financed by Government support. 

World War 2 was declared in 1939, and the North Bendigo Aerodrome site was  taken over by the Defence Dept. for the subsequent erection of the Bendigo Ordinance Factory. 

During 1959 a site was cleared at Huntly and using two Tiger Moths and later a Cessna 172, pilot instruction recommenced.

The ongoing dispute over Bendigo's aerodrome site was resolved when the present site on the edge of the Wellsford forest in East Bendigo was selected as the best area bringing about the closure of the Huntly strip.

The present club was established on the Bendigo aerodrome site in 1965, the Mid-Murray Flying Club provided an instructor and a Victa Airtourer aircraft once a week. By 1969 the club had purchased and erected an army nissan hut for a club room. With extensions built in all four directions, it forms the core of the club rooms today. The club was incorporated in Oct. 1982. Through the work of many dedicated members over the years it now boasts comfortable clubrooms with a modern kitchen and licensed bar, two aircraft and a new RAA. flying school in operation in 2008.

The club conducts a flying competition day on the first Sunday of each month, and is open each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday for flying training & Club Social Activities. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday by appointment or for private hire of the aircraft.

The principal aim of the Bendigo Flying Club is to foster aviation in the Bendigo Region. Many club members over the years who have learned to fly in Bendigo have gone on to all areas of aviation, military and civil, here and all over the world.

The club bought a Cherokee 140, VH-TXV, this was replaced by an Archer 2, VH-BIU. In 2008 the club purchased an additional aircraft. A new Tecnam P-92 Super Echo, aircraft for training recreational pilots.

The Bendigo Flying Club is now established with a strong membership of aviation enthusiasts enjoying a wide range of club events, flying fun, flying training and social activity.

The on going story is unfolding with a new era of aviation in recreational flying this will hopefully bring a new influx of young aviators to the club to continue the tradition of fostering aviation in the Bendigo region. And judging by the interest from young and old alike this bold move by the club to embrace a new direction in Australian aviation looks like producing a rebirth of the club, as in the last 14 months there has been a change in the membership ratio's continuing with the older dedicated traditional membership with an increase in new members of all ages, men and women bringing a renewed interest in the club activities both flying and social. The new members now account for approx 50% of the total membership and growing fast.