Members Stories

Santa comes to Island Bay

The plane is an amphibian aircraft owned by Tourst Air Travel T.A.T. piloted by the late Fred Ladd. The reason for the plane to be on the beach at Island Bay Birkdale is that a group call Island Bay Progressive League had an annual picnic down at the bay. Mr Richard Midson would go over to Mechanics Bay and fly back with Fred dressed as "Father Christmas", much to the delight of the locals as it was well advertised. Santa would throw out lollies to the children. I would think that this is between 40 - 50 years ago. One could go for a flight for 10 Shillings ($1). They were happy days then, but life has changed, those times are gone for ever.

Glad Durham