MAAA Wingspan

18 19 MAAALogo. FEBRUARY WING SPAN STRONG FOUNDATON FOR FLYING For more than 40 years, the Toowoomba Amateur Radio Model Aero Club (TARMAC) has a strong foundation in the Southern Downs flying scene, supporting novice through to advanced aeromodellers, helping pilots to experience the thrill and freedomof our sport. This year, likemany clubs across the country, TARMAC has faced its fair share of challenges. Club Secretary George Fricker said “it had not been an easy year for the club, but he is proud of howmembers have supported one another,” he said. “Our club has faced some difficult times this year with drought and fire restrictions affecting our flying as well as needing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions - our members have supported all themeasures the club committee has taken. “We hope that as the year comes to an end, we can look forward to a better year in 2021,” he said. “Despite the challenges we have faced as a club, our members have used this year to build or fix planes in their workshops and start new aircraft projects with the workshop time they usually would not have.” “We’ve also put an emphasis on staying connected when we couldn’t be out there flying. “We have quite an active Facebook community where we share what we are up to and what we are working on and that keeps our passion for aeromodelling alive - even when we could not fly.” “We have also stayed connected by ringing members and organising small groups at a time of four-five to come out to the field and fly within COVID-19 rules.” During the tight COVID-19 restrictions, TARMAC were also able to get a fewmaintenance jobs done around the club. This included fixing up their sewage systemand solar system (as the club house operates off the grid). “We have organised a few working bees around the club to get things done that needed repairing for a while. Because we were restricted in our flying, it was a great time to get these tasks completed. “Our membership has remained strong. I think that is because we have stayed connected to our members. “They enjoy the social aspect of our sport, so it was important to continue that communication even when we couldn’t fly.” TARMAC is located on the New England Highway just 14 kilometres south of the beautiful city of Toowoomba, the Ivy James field has been the home of Tarmac since the 70’s. History of the Club: In the early 1960’s, aeronautical model enthusiasts were using a large tract of unimproved land on the corner of North & Tor Streets Toowoomba to engage in their sport. For many reasons, including the safety aspect and the encroachment of suburbia, this location, later to be developed into a sport ground and called the “Rockville Oval “, gradually became unsuitable. A new site was needed and in 1963, John Stacey, a private pilot and keen free flight and remote-control aircraft buff, noticed an area just off the New England Highway at Hodgson Vale which had excellent potential. After meeting with the landowner, Mrs Ivy James, an agreement was reached which allowed for models to be flown at this new location. Since that time and withmuch help frommany members, TARMAC has developed into a thriving club with wonderful facilities, friendly members, and a vast array of models. In 1998, MAAA purchased the property and granted a long- term lease to TARMAC through the MAAQ, thus ensuring our clubs home, well into the future. Our members will always be grateful to Ivy James for allowing us to use a section of her property, to John Stacey, Merve Williams, Brian West and Rod Borne for their foresight and persistence in forming TARMAC and to Dr. Jeffrey Phillps for his dedication and resolve in pursuing and obtaining a long-term tenure of the TARMAC site.