This article was first published in the Australian Gliding magazine, October 1974
It has been an eventful year. Increased membership over 900 hours flown in Club sailplanes, and a continual influx of eager-beaver trainees have all contributed to strengthen gliding over the Wimmera plains.
The Swedish team did us the honour of letting us assist them at the World Gliding Championships 1974 and all had a ball. The Club somehow managed to provide 6 full time helpers for the organisation, and as well another seven worked full time for the Swedes. Not a bad percent age for a mob that then boasted 41 members.
From Waikerie it was straight into our Horsham Week Competitions a fortnight later. High winds, exhausted bods, and acres of new glass all combined into a reasonable comp. At one stage we reached 34 sailplanes flying competitively, which really worked the five tugs hard.
WINNERS were:-
- OPEN CLASS - Tony Tabart - Nimbus 2
- STD. CLASS - Paul Briggs - 301 Libelle
- SPORTS CLASS - Ted. Pascoe - Super Goose
- CLUB CLASS - Merv. Gill - Spruce Goose
Scoring was under the T S A Lattimore handicapping system, which caused a few minor problems re manufacturers polar curves for the two geese. The super goose was handicapped on the ES 59 polar, yet if we had used the ES polar Ted still would have won. A great pity it was not under active consideration for the G.F.A. 13 metre design contest.
The training 'treadmill' then occupied us for a considerable time and solos were being celebrated with regularity. In the best month six candidates joined the ranks of intrepid birdmen. With a small club personalised instruction is possible in the 101 things to be done about the scene, and we far prefer this method to the speedier course system. You get to know your fellow club member a lot better as well.
In June, Casterton Soaring Club amalgamated with us, bringing membership up to 65 persons, which is a bit too large for a group striving for rapport among members, and accordingly a waiting list for membership was commenced. This now gives us a fleet of L13, K7, ES 59, ES 60, H 201 with a well beloved ES 52 available for sale. Syndicates are a two piece wing ES 57 and two Std. Cirrus. The DHC 1 'Chipmunk' continues as tug.
With this fleet our 40' x 80' hangar looked ridiculous and trusses for another 67' x 90' hangar are currently being erected. This will give us over 9,000 sq. feet under cover and new club rooms are in train as well.
At the Annual General Meeting Joe English won the Presidency, Moss Harker the Vice Presidency and Graeme Isaacson accepted the secretarial load. The formal hand over took place at our 11th Annual Dinner Dance during August. The show was booked out as usual and again friends from Geelong, V.M.F.G. and Corangamite Club turned up in force.
To add additional flavour, the'Puff' balloon group sojourned with us over the weekend - but more of that later.
Despite the ramifications of the weather the Wimmera skies remain friendly to all sailplane pilots and visitors are made most welcome. If you are near Horsham just pop in and pass the time of day - it is always good to see old friends again or to make new ones.