FORMER Catalina squadron personnel, some now aged in their 90s, will be among the VIPs assembled to watch an RAAF AP3-C Orion fly past during a special Anzac Day commemoration at Rathmines.
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The Anzac Day service at the former Rathmines RAAF Base will be hosted by Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association.
The group’s president, Penny Furner, said this year’s commemoration would be significant.
“This year marks the 95th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF),” Ms Furner said.
Former members of the No.11 Squadron, once an RAAF Catalina squadron, will assemble with former members of No. 10 and No. 461 squadrons, and members of the Sunderland Association.
“Some of these veterans of the Catalina squadrons are now in their 90s and are no longer able to participate in Sydney’s Anzac Day march,” Ms Furner said.
Serving members of No. 11 Squadron, including the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Nigel Ward, will travel from RAAF Base Edinburgh, in South Australia.
The No. 11 Squadron’s commanding officer would give the Anzac Day address, Ms Furner said.
“The squadron calls this place their spiritual home,” she said of Rathmines.
“So I think the flypast of the AP3 Orion will be an emotional moment. It will be the first time ever that we’ve had an Orion fly over on Anzac Day.
“In another first for Rathmines, the catafalque party will comprise serving female members of the RAAF.”
The AP3-C Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft used for surveillance over water and land, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, naval fleet support and search and rescue.
The RAAF has two Orion squadrons based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, No.10 and No.11.
Ms Furner is the daughter of former Rathmines Commanding Officer, Group Captain AGH (Attie) Wearne.
Captain Wearne was in charge of the base from 1946 to 1949, and from 1956 to 1959. The base closed in 1960-61.
As a child, Ms Furner lived with her parents in a hut at the base where the Rathmines war memorial now stands. She attended Rathmines Public School.
“The base was an amazing place to grow up,” she said.
But Anzac Day services at the site weren’t always well attended.
“I can remember standing next to Dad some years when very few attended in the early days before members of the bowling club joined and formed a guard of honour,” Ms Furner said.
But Anzac Day crowds at Rathmines have grown considerably in recent years.
Last year, a crowd estimated at about 300 attended.
This year, a crowd of up to 500 was anticipated, she said.
“I think that as the story of the Rathmines RAAF Base has been shared, and people have come to understand the pivotal role the unique base played for Australia in World War II, more people have come.”
During the war, the Rathmines base was home to 3000 personnel comprising 1000 WAAAFs and 2000 troops.
“It was the most active and largest sea plane base in the southern hemisphere,” Ms Furner said.
“And of course it was the prettiest base, and everyone wanted to be posted here.”
- On Anzac Day, march participants will assemble at Rathmines Memorial Bowling Club at 10.30am for the 11am service at the memorial, followed by lunch at the club.