But how did it come about?

In the early days of aviation, landing places were problematic. Seaplanes were one solution, but smooth clear water was rarely available where you wanted to go.

It's true that at first, aircraft were small and light, and could land on any flat vacant paddock. Invermay and the Elphin showgrounds were popular spots. Mowbray racecourse was another option.

When the great Australian aviator Bert Hinkler visited Launceston with his wife in 1928, he landed at Elphin before 10,000 spectators.

But as their power and weight increased, planes needed ground with clear approaches and plenty of landing room on fields that were even, maintained and regularly checked for safety, and where a reliable scheduled service could also be established.

The formation of the Tasmanian Aero Club by Captains Holyman and Martin in October 1927 galvanised the campaign for an aerodrome.

They wrote to the Civil Aviation Department asking for urgent assistance to create and equip a Tasmanian facility, preferably at a site they'd already identified as ideal at Western Junction.

Keen to assist, the department told them to sign up members and raise a minimum of £500, to show they were serious and able to perform. Within months they had £1200.

In May 1929 the Minister of Defence agreed to purchase and prepare the site, erect basic buildings and lend the club three De Havilland Gypsy Moth biplanes for training.

However owners (and cousins) William and Rae Hogarth didn't want to sell the site, as they'd put a lot of effort into developing it as a stud property with a homestead. It had to be compulsorily acquired - for £20,400 after months of haggling.

Despite already buying the Western Junction land, opposition by the Public Works Department and a change of government led to re-consideration of the von Stieglitz property Andora at Evandale as a cheaper alternative.

In the end, proximity to Launceston and the train, as well as the size of the property, confirmed Western Junction as the site.

Then work commenced to prepare the ground and begin construction of a hangar and clubhouse - clearing of hedges, ploughing, harrowing, rolling, sowing hardy grass species and improving drainage.

The ground was completed in September 1930, with a hangar in November. The Depression had torpedoed the clubhouse project, however club members themselves managed to complete temporary accommodation by Christmas.

This enabled an official opening before 20,000 people in February 1931, commercial flights having already begun the previous month.

An unusually wet winter saw flights interrupted by sodden ground, and in subsequent years the airport often closed. A paved runway wasn't completed until 1948.

Our airport proved very useful in WWII, becoming Tasmania's only RAAF base - used primarily as a pilot training school.