From the Archives,1932:Maude Bonney touches down

Ninety years ago,Maude Rose Bonney became the first woman to fly around Australia,piloting a single-engined Gipsy Moth biplane - barely a year after gaining her pilot’s license.

First published inThe Sydney Morning Herald on August 16,18,26,&27&September 5,26&28,1932

WOMAN PILOT.
Round Australia Flight Begun.
August 16

BRISBANE,Monday.
Mrs. H. B. Bonney,a Brisbane aviatrix,who intends flying round Australia,departed northwards from Archerfield aerodrome early this morning in the Gipsy Moth ’plane that was used by Flight-Lieutenant Hill for his flight
from England to Australia in 1930. Mrs Bonney gained her B class commercial pilot’s certificate 10 days ago. She reached Blackall at 5.45 p.m.,and intends leaving there at 8 a m. to-morrow for a non-stop flight to Winton
or Cloncurry.

“Ready To Fly - Mr. H. B. Bonney (left),Mrs. Bonney,and Mr. F. Bonney (cousin of Mr. H. Bonney) snapped just before Mrs. Bonney left on her round Australia flight. ”

“Ready To Fly - Mr. H. B. Bonney (left),Mrs. Bonney,and Mr. F. Bonney (cousin of Mr. H. Bonney) snapped just before Mrs. Bonney left on her round Australia flight. ”Supplied

August 18
Mrs. H B. Bonney,the Brisbane aviatrix,who is flying round Australia,reached Camooweal at 3.65 p.m. to-day,and will leave at dawn to-morrow for Darwin.

MRS. BONNEY’S FLIGHT.
Rough Weather Near Perth.
August 26
PERTH. Thursday.
Mrs H B Bonney the Queensland pilot who is flying around Australia in a Gypsy Moth,left Geraldton 260 miles north of Perth,this morning and landed in a paddock about 12 miles from Moora,and 90 miles from Perth. A message received this afternoon stated that she had resumed her flight to Perth,but,in consequence of rough weather had returned to Moora and might start again in the morning.

The Western Australian section of the Aero Club has arranged for an escort of women pilots to meet Mrs Bonney

MRS. H. BONNEY.
Arrival at Perth.
August 27

PERTH,Friday.

Mrs. Bonney,the Queensland aviatrix,who is flying around Australia,arrived at Perth from Moora this morning. She was escorted to the aerodrome by four Western Australian pilots,including two women,and was welcomed by representatives of the Aero Club,officers of the Air Force,and her relatives. The date of her departure for the east is uncertain.

“Mrs Lores Bonney overhauls her machine,a DH 60G Moth,My Little Ship,VH-UPV,at Darwin.”

“Mrs Lores Bonney overhauls her machine,a DH 60G Moth,My Little Ship,VH-UPV,at Darwin.”Via Wikipedia

MRS. BONNEY FORCED DOWN.
KALGOORLIE,Sunday.
September 5

Advice has been received that Mrs. H. B. Bonney,who ls flying around Australia in a Moth aeroplane,was forced down in the scrub at Loongana,464 miles cast of Kalgoorlie,about 6 o’clock this evening. Mrs. Bonney is stated to have suffered no injury,and the machine is undamaged. She will remain at Loongana to-night and will leave early to-morrow morning for Forrest,en route for Adelaide. Mrs. Bonney left Perth this morning. She had planned to spend tonight at Forrest,which is about 64 miles from Loongana.

MRS. BONNEY.
Delayed by Bad Weather.
September 26

NEWCASTLE,Sunday.
Mrs. H. Bonney,the Brisbane airwoman,who is making a flight round Australia,was prevented by bad weather from completing her journey from Goulburn to Brisbane,via Sydney,to-day.

After leaving Sydney this morning,she met bad weather,and although she gallantly fought her way up the coast,rain and poor visibility forced her to land,and break her journey at Newcastle. She landed in District Park at
midday,and at first hoped to be able to fly on to Brisbane in the afternoon. Further rain squalls came up with the afternoon,however,and she was ultimately forced to remain at Newcastle overnight. It is probable that
she will resume her journey to-morrow.

MRS. BONNEY
Completes Long Flight.
September 28

BRISBANE,Tuesday.
Taking little more than four hours to fly the 475 miles between Newcastle and Brisbane,Mrs Bonney to-day completed her flight round Australia,reaching Brisbane at 120 p.m. She was accorded an enthusiastic welcome by the citizens and entertained by members of the Queensland Aero Club.

Maude Rose Bonney died on February 24,1994,and was was inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2012. A Queensland State electoral district bears her name.

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