The driving force behind the dream of an airport for Redcliffe belongs to the late Norman Douglas Thurecht, ultimately Member No. 1 and Honorary Life Member.

It all started in the early sixties, Norm had learned to fly at Archerfield, which was a long drive from Redcliffe in those days, and he was determined that the community should have it's own airfield. He spotted the potential sight whilst returning from one of his many flights to Thursday Island. He was greatly enthused and his wife, Jean recalled she was horrified when he took her to the site. I had to wade through knee deep water, she recalls but Norm was serious and he set about gaining support.

Mr Colin Bainbridge, Member No. 3, became his right hand and together they sought community support. The Redcliffe City Council was supportive and the Civil Engineer, Mr Kevin Tibbitts, Member No. 62, was behind the project. The diffculty was in gaining Department of Civil Aviation approval; nothing really changes, perhaps names. The immediate response was NO! as it was on two further occasions, but DCA did say that when Brisbane had radar coverage it could be re-considered. In the meantime, Norm established a strip at Caboolture - not the current airfield, which was outside Brisbane Control.

In approximately 1965, armed with local support of the Redcliffe City Council, medical professionals and pilots, approaches were made again to DCA; the vital link of radar coverage was in place and approval was granted.

Mr Kevin Tibbitts, the city engineer, told me how the balance of material required was obtained and is still in evidence today. The site did need draining and a channel was cut through the mangroves to achieve this. However, the channels one can see today bordering the field were dug to provide the balance of fill material to form the basis of the runway.

The first aircraft to land at Redcliffe did so in 1967. however, the strip was still not to licence standard. I do not think it was envisaged that the airfield would ever take-off in the way that it has over recent years; although it always had the advantage of being close but outside Brisbane Control. I am sure Norm Thurecht would be pleased with his legacy to Redcliffe. it should be acknowledged that none of this would have been possible without the support of the Redcliffe City Council and many members of the community at the time.

With an operational airstrip the move to commence an Aero Club began and in mid 1969 a public meeting was called and formed a committee with a Preliminary President, Mr Garth West and Preliminary Secretart, Mr Colin Bainbrigge. The inaugural meeting was held at the Seabrese Hotel on the 30^thOctober 1969. The first committee elected was:

President: Dr. C.A. Douglas
Vice President: Mr. Brian Kerr
Hon. Secretary: Mr. Ken Glanville
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. R. Moore
Committee Members: Mr. Garth West, Mr. Colin Bainbriggee, Mr. Norm Thurecht, Mr. Roy Kassulke

The Club was incorporated on the 22^nd September 1970. Flying training could not commence until the airfield as licenced. The works required to achieve this were completed amd licence was granted on the 8^th October 1971.

Initally, club training was a shared arrangement with Mr. Norm Thurecht Redcliffe Flying Service. The first office was shared between the two organisations and was originally a building moved to the airfield from Krebs Sawmill and was located adjacent to Nathan Road, which was then barely passable track. Subsequently, a new building, which exits today in the fibro building located to the west of the clubhouse was constructed. The task was undertaken by Mr. Graham Keilor and Mr. John Farrell and commenced in February, 1973.

The Club's first hangar was constructed in April 1972. That year the field was inundated by king tides which ultimately led to the Redcliffe City Council constructing the levee bank we see today. 1972 was the first time the Redcliife airfield was listed in the DCA publications. The Club benefited from the generosity of Mr. David Eban who offered a building he had acquired, to the club, for a clubhouse. The offer was accepted and on the 18^th November 1978, the Club moved premises. It was subsequently destroyed by fire in 1993 and the structure that exists today was built. The club constructed it's new hangar which was officially opened on 14^th July 1998 and named the Norman Thurecht Memorial Hangar.

Over the years many, many people have contributed to the success of the Redcliffe Aero Club which has a prod record of achievement. Many students have gone on to have successful careers in aviation. May it continue.

Prepared by: Mr. Malcolm Allsopp from Club records and information supplied by Mrs. J. Thurecht, Mr. C. Bainbrigge,
Mr. K. Tibbitts, Mr. B. Kerr and Mr. K. Galville.  Some above photographs taken by Ken Keefer Aerial Photography [blimpix@iinet.net.au]