It was reported in the Stawell News and Pleasant Creek Chronicle on Wednesday, March 24, 1920, that on the previous day, just before 10am, Sir Ross Smith and his companions flew his twin engine Vickers - Vimey aeroplane over Stawell on his way to Adelaide.
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When the party left Melbourne for Adelaide, their flight path was planned to follow the railway line for the greater part of the journey, passing over Ballarat, Ararat, Stawell, Horsham and direct to Serviceton.
To aid their navigation on the flight, businesses and those on the land were asked to paint signs on their roofs.
Best's Wineries at Great Western commissioned a local Stawell painter and decorator, William Thomas Lewis to paint the winery name on the cellar roof.
IN OTHER NEWS:
William, with son Hugh aged 12, cycled eight miles in the heat of summer from Stawell to Great Western, with a long ladder held between them with paint tins and brushes attached.
This painted sign is still able to be seen on the roof of Bests Winery as you drive along the Western Highway.
Stawell was in a very festive mood for the historic occasion with large groups of people assembled in all quarters of the town.
All the local school children were marched to the top of Big Hill to get a good view of the machine.
A large crowd also assembled at the South end of Big Hill and they could plainly see the plane as it approached Stawell.
The aviators had come in a direct line to Stawell, from Ararat after flying over Great Western.
On arrival at Stawell, they flew directly over the town and then circled around it.
Smith and his crew could be clearly seen waving to the assembled groups from the plane which was flown around Big Hill at eye level.
The townsfolk reciprocated, as they were jubilant in that they had such an excellent view of the biplane.
Stawell folk were greatly delighted at such an exhibition of flying by so famous a crew.
All the local school children were marched to the top of Big Hill to get a good view of the machine.
Telegraphic advice stated that the Vickers - Vimey aeroplane arrived at Adelaide at 1.42pm in a direct flight from Melbourne.
The actual flying time was six and three-quarter hours.
It was reported again in the paper on Wednesday, April 7, that Sir Ross Smith, in his Vickers - Vimey aeroplane, passed over Stawell at 12.30pm last Monday on his return journey from Adelaide to Melbourne.
Today, the Vickers - Vimey is on display at Adelaide Airport for all to see.
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