The team behind a new children's book about how the Albury community saved a lost plane during the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race hopes the book will help keep the "extraordinary" aviation story circulating for generations to come.
Key points:
- Through the Clouds tells the story of the Uiver's emergency landing in Albury through the eyes of six-year-old Wilhemenia
- The Dutch DC2 got lost while competing in the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race
- The team behind the book hope its young readers will share the significant local story with friends and family for years to come
The Uiver was a Dutch competitor in the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race. In the final leg of the race, the Uiver lost its way in an electrical storm somewhere near Albury Wodonga.
People in Albury and surrounding communities worked together to help save the lost plane.
Albury City's light flashed ALBURY in morse code while local ABC Radio presenter Arthur Newnham asked people with a car to drive to the Albury racecourse and use the car's headlights to make a makeshift landing for the plane.
After the plane landed safely, locals returned to the racecourse the next day to help pull the plane out of the mud.
The Uiver eventually got back into the air race and finished in second place.
The children's book Through the Clouds — the Story of the Uiver Landing in Albury shares the adventure through the eyes of six-year-old girl Wilhemenia, who wants to be a pilot.
Corowa-based author Carm Hogan said she found the story "extraordinary" after listening to the Uiver Emergency program on ABC's Radio National a few years ago.
Ms Hogan mentioned the Uiver story to a junior drama class she was teaching, and no-one had heard about it.
"I thought we must find a way to hand this story on and make it come alive," she said.
"I thought a children's book would be the perfect way."
Ms Hogan hoped young readers who read the book would care about the story.
"Pass it on so it isn't forgotten."
Albury-based Michelle Fracaro, who was editor and project manager for the book, said the book showcased the talent of local artists and what could be achieved when people worked together, including during a global pandemic.
"There are so many great creatives working in the region," she said.
"And during COVID, in particular, it has been really difficult for people who work in the creative industries to produce, create or perform, so it really was important we recognised local talent in this book.
"I love that [the Uiver story] was a group effort, and this project was a group effort for us … the Uiver story is a good example of what people can do together to get something pretty amazing happening."
Wodonga-based illustrator Pinky Whittingslow agreed.
"It shows that people can do amazing things when they work together … It is that kind of story that continues [to resonate]," she said.
"That is what Australian people are about, helping each other out and community.
"We are from all over the world, but then we have grown and created this amazing community."