Factsheet 15 – Why did a national airline start in Outback ?

Quirky fact : The entire A380 fleet is named after Australian Australian Curriculum Links pioneers, Year Subject Curriculum Links including Nancy- 5 Geography ACHGK028 Bird Walton, Charles History ACHHK097 Kingsford Smith, Science ACSHE083 Reg Ansett, Hudson 6 History ACHHK116 Fysh, Bert Hinkler, Science ACSHE100 and the inventor of 7 Geography ACHGK044, ACHGK046 Science ACSHE120, ACSHE224 the black box flight 8 Geography ACHGK056 recorder, David Warren. Science ACSHE136

Background Information Qantas is the world’s second oldest commercial airline. Its Australian Airlines to service its Asian routes and in 2004 red kangaroo emblem is known throughout the world as launched low cost domestic carrier Jetstar. The immediate ’s flagship airline carrier. Deeply rooted in Outback success of Jetstar saw the company rethink its Asia strategy Queensland, Queensland and Aerial and in 2006 replace Australian Airlines with Jetstar services. Services Ltd (Qantas) was founded in Winton in 1921 by former As an Australian-owned and operated company, Qantas officers Wilmot and Paul has played an extraordinary part in Australian history. McGinness. They got the idea in 1919, after making a punishing Through its services, the tyrannies of distance that face 2,179 km journey from Longreach to Katherine in the Northern Australia, both domestically and internationally, have Territory, travelling on unmade surfaces in a Model T Ford. been largely overcome. In 1920, backed by wealthy grazier Fergus McMaster, the pair purchased a war surplus Avro 504K biplane. Only one year later, the fledgling airline moved operations to Longreach to be more centrally located, and in 1922 the company began its first scheduled mail and passenger services between Charleville and Cloncurry. The company expanded rapidly. With its growing fleet of aircraft the company supported the newly established Flying Doctor Service, carried mail between Darwin and , experimented with international flights to the United Kingdom and by the end of its first decade, had not only opened its first capital city route to Brisbane, but also moved its head offices there. Throughout the 1940s, rapid technological advancement and improved ground facilities saw massive growth within the aviation industry. Taking full advantage of developments, Qantas continued its push into new domestic and international markets. In 1947, success brought changes in ownership with the Australian Government buying all Qantas shares. By the mid-1990s after 50 years in operation, the flying kangaroo had built an international reputation for safety and service and Wing Walk, Qantas Founders Museum was one of the world’s largest airlines. In 1992 Qantas bought

80 Outback Queensland Education Handbook | Australian Curriculum Factsheets Inquiry Questions

Subject Years Questions ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Geography 5 What features of the Outback encouraged the use Department of Infrastructure and Transport of aircraft? www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/ The Australian National Aviation Museum 7/8 How has air travel influenced migration and www.aarg.com.au/history.html liveability in the Outback? Source:

History 5/6 How has Qantas been significant to our history? REFERENCES Science 5/6 What were the key scientific discoveries and Qantas History inventions that allowed air travel to develop? www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/history/ global/en

7/8 What were the key scientific discoveries and Longreach Regional History inventions that allowed air travel to develop? www.longreach.net.au/lre_history.html

FURTHER INFORMATION Points of Interest Qantas Founders Museum Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach Sir Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach QLD 4730 Learn the story of Qantas through this modern museum – a place Phone: (07) 4658 3737 of excitement and learning. Your students will take tours through 707 Email: [email protected] and 747 jets and see a blend of historical artifacts where preservation www.qfom.com.au is paramount and hands-on exhibits focus on understanding history. Longreach Airport, Sir Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach QLD 4730 Cost: Fees apply Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm daily Phone: (07) 4658 3737 Email: [email protected] Website: www.qfom.com.au Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach Powerhouse Museum, Longreach Australian Workers Heritage Centre, Barcaldine Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton

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Outback Queensland Education Handbook | Australian Curriculum Factsheets 81