Tocumwal, NSW

On 17 March we departed Junee for Tocumwal with rest stops in Narranderra and Jerilderie along the way. After leaving Junee the countryside was dead flat with clear views for miles in all directions. We spotted another couple of emus as well as flocks of galahs with a watchful eagle circling overhead. We also noted a small liquorice plant farm just north of Tocumwal.

After checking into a caravan park within walking distance of town we visited the Tocumwal Visitor Information Centre where we saw a very informative display on the building and operation of the Tocumwal Aerodrome during World War II. In early 1942, using 2,700 construction workers, the multiple runways were built in five weeks and once completed the base consisted of 608 buildings including hangars, workshops, stores, fire stations, fuel depots, messes, huts, clinics and hospitals. For a few months in mid-1942 over 7,000 Americans served at Tocumwal flying Kittyhawks, Flying Fortresses, Vultee Vengeances and Airocobras before they moved their operations north closer to the front. Then the RAAF took over in late 1942 to service, maintain and repair engines and aircraft as well as becoming a training base for paratroopers and Liberator bomber crews. At its peak there were over 5000 personnel stationed there and the RAAF maintained a presence at Tocumwal until 1960. Unfortunately Tocumwal was later used as a depot for the destruction and recovery of World War II aircraft for their components and aluminium content and none were kept for posterity – a fact bitterly regretted today. We also learnt that many of the residential homes on the base were sold after the war and relocated to the Canberra suburb of O’Connor – we recall reading real estate adverts for “Tocumwal” cottages in Canberra when we lived there and now we finally know why they were so named!

The following morning we visited Chrysties Museum with its displays of classic cars (including Zephers), trucks, caravans, tractors and many other collectables. It was an amazing collection built up over a lifetime – we couldn’t help wondering what would happen to it all once the elderly owners pass on.