This Day in History: 1919-03-19

On 19 March 1919, the acting Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. W.A. Watt, speaking in the House of Representatives in Melbourne, made the following official announcement. “With a view to stimulating aerial activity, the Commonwealth Government has decided to offer £10,000 for the first successful flight to Australia from Great Britain on a machine manned by Australians. Rules are being drawn up covering the conditions of the test, and it is proposed that competitors shall be required to supply their own machines and make all other arrangements necessary for the flight”. Source: Aviation Heritage vol 47 no 3 September 2016