Commemorating the 60th anniversary of RAAF Station Tocumwal's closure, a flag-raising ceremony was held to the minute of the RAAF ensign's lowering on October 14, 1960.
Representatives from RAAF Base Wagga made the trip to Tocumwal while Berrigan Shire Mayor Matt Hannan and councillors were also in attendance.
Also showing their support were members of the Tocumwal RSL and local aero club, as well as Tocumwal Aviation Museum founder and chief executive Matt Henderson, who spoke on the event’s success.
“It was a really good day — obviously the purpose of the flag raising ceremony was to commemorate the 60th anniversary,” Mr Henderson said.
Opening the proceedings, Mr Henderson provided the audience with a summary of the history at the Tocumwal base from 1942 to 1960, detailing the units and personnel who operated out of it.
Cr Hannan then spoke on its impact on the region, and how the networks and roads developed for the base had since become influential in the town.
The RSL presented an original flag from 1960, before the official flag-raising followed by a fly-past from local aero club members.
According to Mr Henderson, events such as Wednesday’s 60th anniversary help bring the town’s rich aviation history to the forefront — which saves it from being forgotten as the years roll by.
“Interest in the aerodrome has made a resurgence in recent years,” he said.
“Council have become more interested because private land on-site can be sold as house and hangar packages, which helps keep the sustainability of the aerodrome in check.
“That is the key thing for us, that history is remembered.”
And that very history is what the Tocumwal Aviation Museum will preserve and display.
Mr Henderson speculated the museum, which is currently under construction, is on track for a late February/early March opening, with a ceremony to be announced nearer to the date.
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