Point Cook takes its festivities
into the night with the Twilight Spectacular
It was cancelled last year because of the Air Force’s high operational tempo, but the RAAF Williams Twilight Spectacular burst back into the limelight at Point Cook on March 27.

By Teena Cardillo

Off with a bang ... Fireworks light up the night sky over Point Cook. Photo by FLTLT James Badgery

Flight Lieutenant Fleur James, right, parades the RAAF Central Band’s colour. Photo by SGT Dave Grant

RAAF Central Band’s Brass Section belts out a number. Photo by SGT Dave Grant

Commanding Officer RAAF Central Band Flight Lieutenant Stephen Wright, above, gets into the swing of the festivities at Point Cooks Twilight Spectacular. Photo by FLTLT James Badgery

Corporal Roxanne Dew from RAAF Central Band entertains the masses during the Twilight Spectacular. Photo by SGT Dave Grant

RAAF Williams Base Commander Wing Commander Craig White and CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston salute the colours at Point Cook. Photo by FLTLT James Badgery

“AN ABSOLUTELY magnificent display of Air Force and ADF professionalism”. That’s how CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston summed up the 2004 RAAF Williams Twilight Spectacular — and thousands of spectators would agree with him.

Diving-off in impressive style, a team of skydivers dropped in with the Air Force flag, which is the signature commencement of the Spectacular. This was followed by a heritage aircraft flying display by the RAAF Museum, the highlight of which was the Sopwith Pup aircraft in its No. 8 Squadron World War I paint scheme.

The Roulettes, led by Squadron Leader Mark Broadbridge, had the audience in awe with their display of daring aerobatic manoeuvres. The Beat the Retreat ceremony was impressively handled by Australia’s Federation Guard and the RAAF Central Band.

The historic parade ground perfectly fitted the part, the colourfully lit Cyprus pines an ideal backdrop for the AAFC’s No. 4 Drill Squad. The cadets’ show of skill on the parade ground was not lost on AIRMSHL Houston, who commented on the display and the impact of the Cadets as a rich source of Air Force recruiting.

The RAAF Central Band’s Concert was a highlight, in particular vocalists Corporal Roxanne Dew and Corporal Dean Doyle delighted the audience with their renditions of some well-known swing tunes.

The audience favourite remains the 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire by the 38th Field Battery, Geelong, and fireworks overhead. The sight is a defining tradition that is certain to provide colour and entertainment at historic Point Cook for years to come. In light of the recent decision to retain Point Cook in Commonwealth ownership, it was no wonder that AIRMSHL Houston chose to reflect on Point Cook’s beginnings as the birthplace of military aviation in some detail.

He described the flights made at Point Cook by Lieutenant Eric Harrison in 1914 in a Bristol Boxkite and added, “Unfortunately later in the day, the aircraft hit a dog.”

“[An] observer, a typical Australian that was on the spot, said words to the effect of ‘ well, it looks like military aviation has gone to the dogs, even before it’s gotten off the ground’.”

How wrong they were.

The RAAF Ensign is parachuted into the event.

The Twilight Spectacular showcased the talents of the RAAF Central Band

Fireworks illuminate the night sky

 

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