Outstanding in its Field
In the immediate aftermath of the First World War, 1919-20, several privately owned and operated aerodromes were established in and around Melbourne. They were at Fisherman’s Bend, under what is now the Westgate Bridge, and at Glenhuntly, Glenroy and Tullamarine. Aviation was conducted in an environment of unrestricted free enterprise until the Air Navigation Act was passed in late 1920 and, consequently, the Civil Aviation Branch (CAB) of the Department of Defence commenced operation on 28 March 1921.
One of the branch’s first tasks was to establish government aerodromes in Melbourne and Sydney, and emergency landing grounds along the route between the two cities for use in the event of forced landings. Sites in Melbourne at Albion, Glenroy, Broadmeadows and North Essendon were evaluated. Most were eliminated due to distance from public transport or poor soil drainage.
A site at North Essendon known as St Johns was selected by the CAB’s Superintendent of Aerodromes Captain EC Johnston DFC. The Commonwealth bought the 91 acres (36.5 ha) for £5472.7.6 (about $450,000 today).
The Department of Works and Railways surveyed the sites for hangar allotments and an access road. The first building was a timber hangar, purchased by the
