The official press release has been made available. hopefully it has scanned and OCR'd correctly
2019 Great Air Race from London to Darwin, and Centenary Celebrations program launched on 99th Anniversary of Great Air Race landing in DarwinToday, December 10th 2018, marked the 99th anniversary of the first successful 18,000km flight from London to Darwin, undertaken by Sir Ross Smith, Sir Keith Smith, and crew members Wally Shiers and James Bennett in under 28 days. This flight marks one of the most significant moments in Australian and global history, as its success positioned Australia as a major player in worldwide air travel and trade and propelled the aviation industry into the modern age.
In Darwin today, organisers announced a number of global initiatives, partnerships, and events across 2019 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Air Race.
Great Air Race Director Craig Sheridan said:
"We're proud to announce today, on the 99th anniversary of the historic 1919 Great Air Race landing right here in Darwin, that we will be holding a series of Centenary Celebrations throughout the world as we build up to our 2019 Great Air Race. Darwin and the Territory will be placed firmly on the world stage as we give the world an experience to remember!"
In reference to the 2019 Great Air Race Mr Sheridan said:
"We aim to celebrate a century of achievement by engineers, designers, and aircraft constructors as electric-powered aircraft are used to re-enact the London to Darwin Great Air Race in 2019. Taking off from London in November 2019, the Great Air Race field will take flight for a 28-day sojourn across four continents and over 21 stops. From the northern winter of Europe through to the heat and haze of the Middle East, across the Indian sub-continent and down into sub-tropical Asia, the eyes of the world will be on the Great Air Race and Darwin as Aviation history is made!"
The full program of initiatives and events launched today included Great Air Race Insider, an interactive engagement program for aviation fanatics and enthusiasts around the globe, a Celebration of Aviation and Air Show, the Great Air Race Centenary Ball, the Great Air Race Take Off in November 2019, and the Ceremonial Arrival of the Great Air Race and Great Air Race Festival in December 2019.
Several Strategic and Supporting Partners were announced at today's launch, including Global Digital Partner - Rakuten, Global Aviation Logistic Partner - 2Excel Broadsword, Accommodation Partner *Hilton Hotel and Hilton by Doubletree, Venue Partner—Northern Territory Airports, and Supporting Beverage Partner in Australia — Carlton & United Breweries.
The Great Air Race also extended a thank you to the Northern Territory Government for their involvement as a Strategic Partner of the 2019 Great Air Race Centenary Celebrations.
Present at today's launch were special guests Greek Consul General John Anictomatis, Indonesian Consul General Mohammad Hanifa, Timor-Leste Consul General Francisco Jose Felipe, and The Hon. Luke Gosling OAM MP, Member for Soloman. Great Air Race was also delighted to have Kylie Blackwell, the Great Great Niece of Wally Shiers in attendance, alongside Lauren Moss, MP Minister for Tourism and Culture representing the Northern Territory Government.
Minister Moss spoke to the history of the 1919 Great Air Race, and the excitement surrounding the 2019 Great Air Race Centenary Celebrations during today's launch:
"The 1919 Great Air Race put little-known Darwin on the world map — and we are set to do it again with the Centenary of this momentous, history-making event...
...It is exciting to launch the Centenary Year of the Great Air Race, and a suite of events that will bring the Territory's rich history, and our future potential, to the world stage."
A truly global event, the 2019 Great Air Race Centenary Celebrations will deliver an unparalleled level of reach to both aviation enthusiasts and a broader general interest audience via a comprehensive marketing program. Great Air Race Commercial Director Mat Bell went into further detail on this program during the launch:
"The Great Air Race provides a unique opportunity for our partners to reach and engage a significant international audience. A conservative forecast has placed the cumulative global reach of Great Air Race at 1.43 Billion impressions across digital, social media, tourism, traditional advertising, broadcast, and PR channels throughout the Great Air Race program...
...We have also secured an in-principle agreement with a production house for an international documentary that will see the Great Air Race Broadcast to over 250 million homes across 100 markets. Furthermore, as part of our Great Air Race Insider program we will also provide unique and instantaneous content to our audience via a dedicated platform hosted on the Great Air Race website. This will literally put our audience in the pilot's seat as teams embark on their global aviation adventure!"
Great Air Race historian Brian Kino was also present and spoke passionately about the Smith Brothers and crews' flight in 1919, and what the 2019 Great Air Race will mean for modern aviation:
"For its time, the 1919 Great Air Race was as significant to the world as man landing on the moon 50 years later. It ought to be recognised as one of the most significant moments in Australian history...
...The world stood in awe 99 years ago as the Smith brothers transformed flight and positioned Australia at the forefront of the aviation industry. Newspaper articles and headlines around the world lauded the Great Air Race and the world record flight, with the New York Times editorial of December 12 gushing, "Captain Ross Smith has done a wonderful thing for the prestige of the British Empire. He must be hailed as the foremost living aviator".
Brian added:
'The Great Air Race will do in 2019 what the Smith brothers did 99 years ago: it will generate a new age of global air travel".
General Manager of the Great Air Race, Milton O'Brien conducted a short interview with 2019 Great Air Race entrant Michael Coates. Coates, a pilot himself stated:
"This will be massive accomplishment for the global aviation industry. The 2019 Great Air Race flight path is easily completed by commercial aircraft on a daily basis, but do it in light fuel-efficient aircraft, hybrids, and battery powered aircraft in the proposed timeframe is nothing short of a miracle. Completing the 2019 Great Air Race will be akin to the first commercial airliner taking flight, and the advancement in aviation technology that follows will be unprecedented. I can't wait to be a part of it!"
Further details on the Centenary Celebrations are expected to be released in the coming months. Expressions of interest will remain open until February 2019 for anyone who would like to enter an aircraft in the 2019 Great Air Race.
There is also an opportunity for the entire Aviation industry to become involved, with several sponsorship and partnership opportunities available for the Great Air Race and the 2019 Great Air Race Centenary Celebrations.
For more information, please visit www.greatairrace.com.au Contacts for Great Air Race:
Milton O'Brien
General Manager
Inspire Strategic Solutions
[email protected]
Laura Sweetman
Event Coordinator
Inspire Strategic Solutions
[email protected]