About two hours from Melbourne, on the Bourke and Wills Track is a memorial to the first flight of an Australian built aeroplane. Designed and built by John Duigan with the help of his brother Reginald, the bi plane was flown in a paddock near here by John one hundred years ago. Paying tribute to this achievement is the unveiling of a plaque by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser.

“The Duigan flight in 1910 is representative of so much which Australia should be proud of.”

The ceremony ends with a ‘fly past’ in honour of John Duigan’s achievement. His nephew has this to say about his uncle John.

[John Duigan, Nephew of John Duigan]:
“He was a technically well educated fella and he came home back to ‘Spring Plains’, … and he wasn’t terribly impressed with the sheep industry…omebody sent him a post card of the Wright Flyer…It was from somebody in England which said ‘have a go at this Jack…and that’s exactly what he and Dad eventually did.”

Gaining inspiration from their ancestral past are the Duigan family high flyers of the future. Ninety one year old Gwynne Duigan is an active keeper of the family archives. Reginald was her father in law who helped build the plane.

[Gwynne Duigan, Relative]:
“As he said he did most of the spade work .”

There is much interest in the replica built by Terry Egan and his team of six.

[Terry Egan, Builder of Replica]:
“This is a culmination of two years and four months work.”

And not to be outdone by the replica, the original Duigan airplane is having a special viewing at the Museum Victoria Collection Store. This highlights the launch of David Crotty’s book “A flying Life: John Duigan and the first Australian aeroplane”.

[David Crotty, Curator of Transport & Engineering]:
“Well John Duigan’s aeroplane may look crude but actually if you look closely at it, it has the flight control system which is the same on any light aeroplane of today.”

It has taken 100 years for Duigan’s achievement to be recognized, as he was not one to seek fame and glory. David’s book just released may just help to change that.

Philippa Rayment, NTD News, Mia Mia, Australia.