Community members are invited to join celebrations next week for the 50th anniversary of the Lord Howe Island Airport. 

Events will mark the completion of the construction of the airstrip in 1974, coordinated by Gary Barker (retired Army engineer officer responsible for setting the works out for construction), and the Veteran Group, and Clive Wilson MBE:

• On Tuesday 10 September from 4pm-5:30pm at the Hall, Gary Barker and the Veterans group will be sharing their stories and showcasing photos of the airstrip construction. The event will be alcohol-free. All welcome.
• The 50th Anniversary Ceremony Event will commence at 4pm on Wednesday 11 September at the Hall. MC Clive Wilson MBE will host special guests to share stories about the various achievements and challenges for aviation on the Island. Never-seen-before footage will be shown from the cockpit and ground of the first aero-medical evacuation on a partially complete runway on 4 August 1974. In attendance will be film producers Group Captain David Middleton, who landed the flight, and his son David. An Island style afternoon tea will follow. The event will be alcohol-free. All welcome.
• On Thursday, 12 September, at 4:30 pm, by RSVP only and pending air traffic clearance, there will be controlled access to the runway from the airport terminal side. The event will honour the Veterans, and Island citizens and their children who planted grass on the verges after the Army left. The airside event is limited to 100 people, with 60 places available for locals, after accounting for veterans and their families. Invitations are on a first-come, first-served basis. As per event committee’s article ‘Celebrating 50 Years of an Island Lifeline’ in the August Signal, contact Amy Hickey to RSVP to the events: [email protected]. This is for on-Island residents and access will only be to registered parties accompanied by LHIB staff. The event will be alcohol-free.
• On Friday 13 September, the army visitors and members of the LHI RSL Subbranch will join the LHI Historical Society at the Museum from 4:30pm. The RSL Memorial section will be on display with photos and videos of the airstrip construction. Drinks and nibbles will be provided. If you are not a member of the Historical Society and would like to attend the event, please contact the Museum about memberships.

Dress for all events is casual.