High flying honour for Deniliquin pilots

The pair join Alan Willis (posthumous), Chris Wright, Roger Pollard, Dol Pollard and Arthur Imber as life members.

President Jy Brown said both men were worthy recipients of the honour.

‘‘I received nominations for both of these members recently and it was an easy decision to make,’’ he said.

‘‘They have both served on the club committee over a long period of time and still are around helping to this day.’’

Mr Holloway joined the club in the late 1990s, when he first took up flying.

He has since spent more than 10 years on the committee helping in various roles.

‘‘Wow, what an honour,’’ Mr Holloway said.

‘‘It’s been a good journey so far with the club and I look forward to continuing to spend more time here.

‘‘I’ve been told once or twice ‘why not take your bed out there?’ because of how much time I spend here (at the club).

‘‘Now that COVID-19 has eased we hope to have more people get back into flying, and hopefully one day soon we will get to have a few more join in for a fly-over.’’

Mr Gibson first took to the skies in the 1970s, initially in planes and then as a glider.

During that time, he was chief instructor at Corowa Recreational Flying group.

‘‘I moved to Deni a while ago now and got back into planes about 15 years ago,’’ Mr Gibson said.

‘‘I was a glider pilot up until that point.

‘‘After joining the Deniliquin Aero Club I jumped on the committee and I have been treasurer for the past 10 years.

‘‘Receiving life membership was a complete surprise and I am honestly lost for words.’’

Mr Brown said the club is recruiting new members in 2021.

He said people with all levels of flying are welcome, and said club members are willing to organise flying lessons for any new members.

‘‘We also hold social nights and breakfasts out here,’’ Mr Brown said.

‘‘We’re always happy to talk about aviation and teach anything about aviation.’’

For more information about the club or how to become a member, go to www.deniliquinaeroclub.com.