THE Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum was a fitting backdrop to Anzac Day commemorations on April 25, with this year marking 80 years since the bombing of Darwin.
The Lions Club held a service on the Lake Boga foreshore, led by Rod Rudge and Robyn Jolley in a restored 1942 Jeep, followed by RSL gentlemen in an MG, local war veterans, families of past veterans, Lake Boga Sea Scouts and Lake Boga Primary School students.
The procession marched along Willakool Drive to the Flying Boat Museum Cenotaph.
Lake Boga was an integral part of allied defence during World War Two, with a facility that helped to keep Australia safe – the No.1 Flying Boat Repair and Service Depot.
Following the Japanese attacks on Broome in 1942, resulting in the loss of 16 flying boats, the establishment of a safe haven for flying boats and amphibians was deemed “essential to the defence of Australia”.
A base to the south and inland were prerequisites.
Inspections of Lake Boga and Kangaroo Lake were made, but Lake Boga was the preferred site as it was an ideal stretch of water for the flying boats and amphibious aircraft because it was almost circular (offering unlimited choice of landing/take off direction) and free of obstructions.
Sue Donnelly gave a heartfelt speech on the history of James Charles Martin, the youngest person to die in combat in World War One, at a tender age of 14.
James was originally from Tocumwal and desperately wanted to serve his country despite not having the approval of his parents.
He died while on active duty due to Typhoid Fever.
Sue was supported by Hamish Bethune, a Lake Boga local, who spoke about life today as a 14-year-old boy, and how brave young James was to leave his family and home to fight a war.
Lions Club president Robyn Howarth said she was overwhelmed by the large turnout.
“It was amazing to see such a large number of locals support the Anzac Day service,” she said
“We have a really proud local history and there is so much respect for the men and women who served, and still serve, for our country”.
An unexpected delight was a visit from aviator Mike Smith who completed multiple flyovers in his sea plane, gently landing on the Lake Boga for a brief second, before soaring up into the blue sky as a unique tribute to the Anzac service.
The Sea Scouts held a fundraising barbecue at the event serving hamburgers, and the Lions Club provided refreshments and a batch of homemade Anzac biscuits.
