History project

A PROJECT has been launched to document the history of RAAF Base Williamtown through photographs, personal recollections, newspaper reports and books.

Base Commander Wing Commander Farnsworth said that no single collection depicted the base’s history as a whole.

“While individual squadrons have their own documented history, we have nothing that shows the complete history of the base and its growth in importance for the defence of Australia,” he said

The project aims to build a collection of material that tells the story of Williamtown since its formal establishment for the defence of Newcastle on February 15, 1941. Initially, the project will concentrate on producing a photographic history book and photographic portraits for display in messes and public buildings on the base. When complete, the collection will become a public record allowing people to see the changes that have occurred over the years.

“I hope that people will send us photographs or other interesting items relating to the base. If people wish to keep the originals, we can arrange to have copies made and will return the originals,” WGCDR Farnsworth said.

Ex-Air Force member Norm Worth – who has donated more than 40 aviation-related books to the base library – and John Hutchison, another enthusiast with a long-running interest in military aviation, have volunteered to help coordinate the history project.

Items of interest can be forwarded to WGCDR Farnsworth at Williamtown.

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