Local Government
Bridgetown-Greenbushes
Region
South West
Hill Farm South Western Hwy Bridgetown
2 miles S of Bridgetown on South Western Hwy on eastern side.
Bridgetown-Greenbushes
South West
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 28 Jun 2001 | Category 5 | |
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 29 Mar 2018 | Management Category D | |
This strip of farmland is of historic significance to the Bridgetown district as a temporary airfield. Aesthetic Value NA Historic Value Historical event for the Nelson (Bridgetown) District. Research Value NA Social Value The temporary airstrip was possibly only of community social value for the one day in April 1920, when many people of the district gathered for their first experience of seeing a plane.
The pastoral paddock on Lots 44 and 63 on the western portion of Hill Farm, was deemed a suitable space for a makeshift aircraft landing due to the ~500m length of relatively flat land high on the fringe of Bridgetown. This flat length of pastoral land running north/south has remained as vacant pasture/paddock. It was never a constructed runway.
This pastoral land was the site of the first aircraft landing in Bridgetown on 28 April 1920. Major Norman Brierley, a highly decorated Airforce Officer during WWI, returned home to WA from England, after teaching flying instructors. He returned a world renowned hero within the world of flight and publicly set out to introduce commercial flying to WA. In doing so, Brierley advertised and made trips throughout WA, offering tourist flights for a fee and free stunt shows. His offer of private flights was well received, and many towns including Bridgetown, welcomed him with makeshift runways. Short private flights were booked, as well as longer flights, and free stunt shows in between. In the case of Bridgetown, the passenger seat for the free stunt show was occupied by a boy named Jack Ryan, who was awarded Champion Boy on Anzac District Sports day, representing the Convent School, (St Brigid’s).
Low The airstrip was a temporary measure in 1920, as there were previously no planes flying in the south west of WA, there had been no need for an airstrip. Medium The field remains as pastoral land, however some trees may have grown where the landing strip (in 1920) was clear of trees.
NA
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwood Times pg.3 | 16/04/1920 | ||
| WA Record pg.8 | 12/06/1920 | ||
| WA Record pg.8 | 5/06/1920 | ||
| Contemporary newspaper reports (trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper) |
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| No.R15 | MI Place No. |
| A48581 | Assess No (Shire Ref) |
Historic Site
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Air: Other |
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Air: Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Air transport |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.