After the Great European War of 1914 to 1918 and amount of £25,000,000 (pounds) was being sought by the Australian Commonwealth Government through a bond subscription from the people of Australia – ‘The Second Peace Loan’. The Acting Treasurer, Sir Joseph Cook announced this on 7th July 1920 with the funds to be expended on the repatriation of the uniformed soldier to industrial and civilian pursuits in the community. Each State was given a target. Victoria was expected to contribute £8,200,000 (pounds). The introduction of Australian Flying Corp aeroplanes utilising World War I aviators was a novel way to generate interest in the Peace Loan and help the one-month intense promotion of the bonds. To promote the 1920 event pilots travelled by train on the Tandarra, Dingee, Prairie, Mitiamo rail line and addressed local residents on the importance of supporting the Second Peace Loan. Bank officials and ex-servicemen accompanied these trains or followed in a car to promote the Peace Loan and sign new subscribers. East Loddon Shire residents and businesses had a target of £19,000 (pounds) to raise which they achieved in August 1920.

After winning the race on 27th August 1920, pilot, Lieut. William Harold Treloar, flew back to Serpentine on the 2nd October 1920 to be presented with a silver trophy by Cr. Nicholas Tonkin, President of the East Loddon Shire. The Serpentine district community residents subscribed £40 (pounds) to purchase the trophy. The historic trophy has been housed at Point Cook Air Museum and is being especially flown in for the day by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), No. 100 Squadron newly re-formed as the Air Force Heritage Squadron and reestablished at the Centenary of the RAAF, which was formed on March 31, 1921. The day will be jam packed full of aviation history with tiger moths, iconic Australian Warbirds, CAC WIRRAWAY, the Grumman Avenger the heaviest single engine aircraft of WWII, the T-28 Trojan a piston-engined military trainer used by United States Air Force and Navy, beginning in the 1950s.

This will be a 70-mile air race launching from (temporary) ‘Serpentine Airfield’ Loddon Valley Highway. Tiger Moth pilots/owners from around the country will converge on Serpentine Airfield and as part of the celebrations, the skies over the Serpentine will roar into life with heart-stopping Aerobatic & historical warbirds presented by Paul Bennet Airshows and the Royal Australian Air Force’s aerobatic display team, the ROULETTES who are famous worldwide for their high-octane displays of formation flying, aerobatics, and low-level flying that show just what incredible feats Air Force fighter pilots are capable of. The Roulettes now perform their display in the state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-21, one of the most advanced training aircraft in the world. Flying as low as 80m and at speeds of up to 685km/h and with forces up to 6G’s, the Roulettes can perform as close as 3m to each other.

Serpentine Airfield is located 6kms south of Serpentine, Loddon Valley Highway between Bendigo and Kerang. You won’t find it on any maps as it’s not a full-time airfield. It’s a beautiful grass field perfectly suited to host a historical air race. Feature attractions – Vintage Bi-Plane Air Race, Paul Bennet Air Shows Vintage Aircraft and Vintage Displays. A shuttle bus from Bendigo and Swan Hill (bookings essential *Option to purchase bus ticket will pop up after you add your ticket to your cart).
Adult $35
Child $15 (6 to 16yrs)
Family $80 (2 adults, 2 children)
Concession $35
Children 5 years old and younger do not require a ticket.
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Tickets will be $40 at the gate on the day.