A public meeting will be held next month to gauge interest in reforming the Crookwell Aero Club, one of the first country aero clubs established in Australia, with the aim of securing the long-term future of Crookwell Aerodrome in the NSW Southern Tablelands.
The meeting, convened by local aviator Scott Montgomery, will be held at the Crookwell RSL Club on 28 June 2026, commencing at 11am. Montgomery is canvassing the regional aviation community ahead of the gathering, which will seek to appoint a committee if there is sufficient support to proceed.
The Crookwell Aero Club was first formed in May 1928, with the aerodrome officially opened in April 1929 before a crowd of 3,000 people. World War I pilot Captain Geoffrey Hughes, president of the NSW Section of the Aero Club, flew in to perform the ceremony. Aerial displays on the day included formation flying, a 20-mile aerial derby and a pair of RAAF aircraft. The club ceased to exist in 1939 following the outbreak of World War II.
The aerodrome went on to play a significant role in aerial agriculture through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, with local farmers and graziers relying on it for superphosphate spreading operations.
Upper Lachlan Shire Council resumed direct management of the aerodrome in December 2025 following a period of private lease, and has since developed a draft plan of management for the facility. Montgomery says a reformed aero club would work closely with the council, with twin goals of securing the aerodrome as a publicly owned asset and restoring an important piece of regional aviation history.
He also notes the club would likely be eligible to apply for funding from the wind farms operating across the local government area.
Anyone interested in attending or assisting with the reformation effort can contact Scott Montgomery on 0417 267 856 or stp@kimbe.com.au.