Casey Airfield - where is everyone now?

[Eric from Berwick]

Hi everyone,
For those that remember me, I'm looking to catch up with all the great people (includes guys and girls) that were involved with Casey Airfield over the years. It was a great airfield and the people that I remember were also a fantastic group. Some of the Sunday nights after flying were something not to be missed and it was sad that it all had to end. Love to hear from any and all that might see this.
Eric from Berwick

[pistinaround]

Slightly before my time but I would love to see any photos anyone may have

[VH-XXX]

I'll send regards to Terry W if you happen to remember him. He flew small stuff.

[john_tullamarine]

This thread (http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/514867-leopard-moth-miles-falcon-still-lilydale.html) has dropped off the recent radar but might be useful to the topic ...

[NNB]

Hey Eric
The Col's machines are at Lilydale. Murray gerraty and some of the Lilydale players are trying to lure Elsa into coming along to an open day to instruct the youngsters in how to make her famous Elsa burgers.
Buggsie, McGoo, Hutter, Chambers are all still around; I believe that Squirrell and Wendy are up Picton way where he was last heard of working as an instrument LAME.
Others can pick up the thread and follow up with names!
cheers
Nigel

[scoe]

Hello Eric

Ross M here I am in NZ now doing Charter great scenery.
I caught up with Kieth and Elsa for a beer about five years ago when I was in Melbourne at the RSL Kieth was a bit wobbly on the legs but still smart as a whip Elsa just the same.
I think Peter J is Captain on a 747 based in argentina last I heard.

What ever happended to Bruce W is he retired in TOCumwal

I spent 12 years flying Saabs and Metro in FNQ before the compant went tits up so decided to give the Kiwi experience a go

How are you not living in a caravan I hope Haha

Cheers:*

[scoe]

Hello Eric

Ross M here I am in NZ now doing Charter great scenery.
I caught up with Kieth and Elsa for a beer about five years ago when I was in Melbourne at the RSL Kieth was a bit wobbly on the legs but still smart as a whip Elsa just the same.
I think Peter J is Captain on a 747 based in Argentina last I heard.

What ever happended to Bruce W is he retired in TOCumwal

I spent 12 years flying Saabs and Metro in FNQ before the company went tits up so decided to give the Kiwi experience a go

How are you not living in a caravan I hope Haha

Cheers:*

[djpil]

I usually run into Bruce whenever I visit Toc.

Dave P.

[Eric from Berwick]

Hi Nigel
Thanks for the update - I was in OZ in 2012 and had the chance to talk briefly with Keith and Elsa by phone but never did get to meet up with them. Also got an email from Dave and Wendy.
It was certainly different visiting Australia again and we hope to perhaps get there next February for a friend's wedding.
Who knows , maybe we can catch up with people between now and then and get together when we are over there.
Regards
EFB

[Eric from Berwick]

Hey Ross
Thanks for the update. I did catch up with Keith and Elsa by phone when I was there in 2012 but due to circumstances I never did get to catch up with them in person.
Glad to hear you are flying in NZ - I lived there for a year many years ago (1979 I think) and apart from the Cities I loved the scenery etc around both N and S Islands.
No - the caravan days are long gone - I live in Mesa, Arizona where it's almighty hot and my job keeps me extremely busy as area credit manager for Macy's/Bloomingdales Department Stores.
Regards
EFB

[scoe]

Hey Eric
Just remembered Tim amd is little brother Matt are working for Qantas Tim is 767 capt in Sydney and Matt is 737 in Melbourne

Allan G is flying the Polair chopper in Sydney Mike is with jetstar I think or is it Virgin

Last time I saw BJ Cowell super trowel he was doing well in the brick Business
Paul Kirby is a trader and developer and married Sharon M

Sue B I believe lives in England and Albo is still in Melbourne working as a Visual Merchandise manager

Shelly T, my Ex I do not know where she is but last time I saw her she was still in medicine

Dont know where Rob S is but Terry passed away recently in Tassie.

Caught up with Gunter M in Blenheim last year he was over for the local warbirds show and Geoff P is still in Melbourne

Many a good day spent at Casey with many long life friends Great Hours for a junior instructor but pity the pay wasn't as good. It gave me my start and I will always be greatful however

My career has included 12 years flying Saabs and Metros, a short stint in the Torres Strait and a 737 endorsement. I was head of Training and Standards for the Airline, 2IC to over 100 pilots. Now living in Blenhein NZ with a really comfy Charter Job.
Great Fishing and Hunting and actually really great weather You can Swim Ski and fish all on the same Day

Keep in Touch and all my details are on our website Air Charters, Multi Engine Flight Training Nelson Blenheim Marlborough New Zealand (http://www.ridgeair.co.nz)

Cheers

[Eric from Berwick]

Hey Ross - thanks for the terrific update - good to hear so many of the guys are still doing well including yourself - like your company website. My wife and I are hoping to make a quick trip back to OZ next year for a friends wedding - I believe its at Mt Dandenong but not sure of the exact date - Jan/Feb sometime so thats something to look forward to.
Cheers
EFB

[Eric from Berwick]

Hi Dave
Good to hear from you and others on this site. I only came across it by accident a few weeks ago. Living here and previously in Montana I had almost forgotten about the OZ flying scene - the years sure have flown by!

Regards
EFB

[StallsandSpins]

Slightly before my time but I would love to see any photos anyone may have

pistinaround, i have heaps...posted some the photo section and some others and some more in the the thread linked to above. happy to send a link to the rest if anyone is interested would love to see any that anyone else may have...epecially from the late 80's and early 90's.....




G'day Ross M!

Hey Eric
The Col's machines are at Lilydale. Murray gerraty and some of the Lilydale players are trying to lure Elsa into coming along to an open day to instruct the youngsters in how to make her famous Elsa burgers.
Buggsie, McGoo, Hutter, Chambers are all still around; I believe that Squirrell and Wendy are up Picton way where he was last heard of working as an instrument LAME.
Others can pick up the thread and follow up with names!
cheers
Nige

im sure Elsa would love too! we were out at lilydale only last week. and i believe squirrell was recently elected president (or what ever the correct term is) of his Masonic lodge in picton.


A fair few people must of passed thought Casey over the years! i thought i was the luckiest kid in the world getting hang around there every weekend when i was growing up..:ok:

[nitpicker330]

Sad to read that the Colonel passed away at the age of 94. Excellent innings..

Funeral this Friday in Box Hill.

http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/527346-vale-colonel-lk-keith-hatfield-dfc-am-us.html

[tuggie2]

Hi Ross M
Bruce W here.
Sitting in our beefed up 150 at Tocumwal on a hot blustery day waiting to launch another glider .
I had been wondering for quite a while about the Colonel, whether he was still with us so decide to google and find out between flights.
Saw the sad news then took a link to the bit about Casey ,Where are they now?
So thought I would register and answer your querie as to where is BruceW?
Yes I am still at Tocumwal and have been towing up gliders for a couple of years.
Also renewed my instructor rating. Just having fun basically, but would like to find out what the other Casey people are doing? We certainly had a lot of fun there, and I often relate stories about what went on. The Elsa Burger was legendary.
Went to Elsa and Colonels 60th. Wedding anniversary which was a privilege and an honour to be invited.
Perhaps we could link up via e-mail?
Cheers mate.
B.

[tuggie2]

Hi Eric,
Just became a member of pprune.
I was actually googling to find out if the Colonel was still alive, and got a link
To you here.
Sad to hear he had passed away, but what a life he had. 94 yrs. A great effort.
We're you at the 60th. wedding anniversary for Colonel and Elsa?
I saw some posts from the gnome, (Ross) and will gave a try at communicating.
Won't write too much in case you don't get this.
Cheers
Bruce W

[StallsandSpins]

G'day Bruce!
i believe there is a Casey reunion in pipeline.

[6317alan]

That's good news!
Alan

[nitpicker330]

Make sure you post details of the reunion in here. Myself and quite a few others would go.:ok:

[StallsandSpins]

will post info when i know more:ok:

[tuggie2]

Great!! That would be good.

[tuggie2]

Yep he is in Toc., but you have me at a disadvantage,
I wish I could recall??

[Youngie]

Giddy Eric, what's going on, are you still a member of White Knuckle Airlines ?

[scoe]

Hey Youngie

How is it going you old scamster

What are you up to these days Ross

[StallsandSpins]

Hi all,

was just talking to a well known former Ag pilot/instructor/engineer who used to work at at Casey. He and some others are in the process of organizing the reunion for later in the year (sept - oct).the location at this stage has not been confirmed. i can confirm that there will Elsa burgers!

To facilitate a date and place that will enable everyone to attend They are looking to get together a list of email contacts of any one who is interested. Its open to people who used to work there, fly there or frequent the place in any other capacity.

If anyone is interested in attending or knows someone who isn't on the internet that used to frequent Casey Airfield and may be interested in attending please PM me your email/contact details and i will pass it on :ok::)

[nitpicker330]

Keep us informed.

Remember some of us have a roster and need to request days off, so as much notice as possible would be good.

Cheers:ok:

[StallsandSpins]

will do ! I think the plan is to get an email list together and then workout which which date/place would be best for everyone. In any event i will post details here as they come to hand. A few people expressed interest here but i have no contact details to pass on.

[StallsandSpins]

Hi all just thought i'd repost this and bump it to the top in case anyone missed it..

was just talking to a well known former Ag pilot/instructor/engineer who used to work at at Casey. He and some others are in the process of organizing the reunion for later in the year (sept - oct).the location at this stage has not been confirmed. i can confirm that there will Elsa burgers!

To facilitate a date and place that will enable everyone to attend They are looking to get together a list of email contacts of any one who is interested. Its open to people who used to work there, fly there or frequent the place in any other capacity.

If anyone is interested in attending or knows someone who isn't on the internet that used to frequent Casey Airfield and may be interested in attending please PM me your email/contact details and i will pass it on

[dvdmelb]

Hi Eric,
I'd be keen to catch up. I use to instruct their. I've also let Mike Bayne know about this. Please keep me informed.

Cheers, David Van de Weerd

[StallsandSpins]

G'day David!

[scoe]

I would be keen to catch up also

keep us informed

Ross

[OzFlyGuy]

Hi all,


I've only just seen this thread and now wondering how I had missed it!

But to hear that a reunion is on the cards is simply fantabulous!
I was there in the early 90's but had been an acquaintance for over a decade. I started to fly at the new Tooradin - with Alan Baskett (dec.) and Glen and Hugh Balas.


So, count me in ... just gotta revisit the Elsa burger :)
Ian.

[john_tullamarine]

When did Alan die ? ... he gave me a ring not all that long ago.

[PAIN_NET]

‘The report of my death was an exaggeration’

As of 3 minutes ago, Alan was enjoying a holiday with Gwen in Qld; with no intention of quitting and cranky about redactions to his submission. Horsepower through will power.

P9 a.k.a. K9..

[6317alan]

Romours of my death I am glad to say are incorrect! I am looking forward to putting paid to this rumour soon at the reunion!
Regards all,
Alan

[djpil]

(dec) might mean decadent, perhaps?
JT - please check the notices daily and let me know if ever there is a change in my status.

DJP

[john_tullamarine]

Good sir .. as only the good die young, you and I are assured of long and decadent lives.

No doubt we three shall have an ale at the reunion ...

[StallsandSpins]

The reunion is on! Its set for sat 22 nov at lord casey's old hangar at the Moorabbin air museum. There will be a presentation by David Squirrell and bbq.
i'll post more details when they are at hand.

[Wayne Jenkins]

Greetings

Must admit I don’t recall any of your names, but I do hold fond memories of Casey Field.

Trained there in the mid 70’s where Kevin Moore was my QFI.

Finally Bill Campbell Hicks gave me my PPL on October 07, 1976. (C-150 / VH-KQM).

Progressed up to the B55 before seeing the light and swapped to the rotary world and been flying mediums to oil platforms ever since.

Might pop up in November.

[Deaf]

Must admit I don’t recall any of your names

The Elsaburgers did't cause memory issues - may have been something else in the bar.

[Arcticsnake]

Hi All,
That is great news. I look forward to meeting up again. Did my first solo there and now fly from Tooradin. Please let us know what time the reunion will be.

Regards

[Brent Kade Cowell]

Hey there,
I'm Brians son.
Such great memories of back then.

#tim was so friendly and cool ,'chicky babies'
# remember seeing Gunter crash a chopper one day, nobody believed me at first I told them
# Wendy patched my teddy dog up after it was attacked by a real dog
# Elsa made me the best toasted cheese
#have seen squirrel since

My dad's number is 0408350724

[p_aero]

SAS/MAA/CFT from YMMB , used to have the company aerobatics competition down there for a few years, good fun! Would have been the mid 80's. I remember being fascinated by the Wilga.

[Old aeroplane geek]

Elsa Hatfield, wife of late Colonel Hatfield passed away a few days ago.