“Thousands of people welcomed him as he made a perfect landing... an endless stream of cars emptied their human freight  onto the racecourse from the early afternoon, people coming from 60 and 70 miles in order to be present.

“Added to these were about 1200 school children, marching in a long procession led by the Glen Innes Silver Band and the Pipe Band.

“Into the racecourse they went, until the crowd was reminiscent of the best show day.

“Nor did Hinkler keep them waiting. Ten minutes ahead of time sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the plane in the dim distance to the south...

“‘Isn’t it beautiful!’ some were heard to exclaim, as the rays of the late afternoon sun were caught and flashed back from the silvered body of the flier.

“Like a bird the Avro swooped down on the enclosure, and a few moments later the famous airman and his wife were being warmly welcomed by the Mayor.

“The crowd cheered, breathless bandsmen did their best with The Conquering Hero, motor horns tooted and Bert knew he was in Glen Innes…

“The crowd broke loose. Over the fence went men, women and children alike, surging round the little plane that had made history by coming all the way from England in a little more than a fortnight.

“Returned soldiers, police and civilians joined hands and did their best to hold back the human tide, but it was a plainly anxious airman who was persuaded at length to leave his beloved machine and make for the lorry which for the nonce, did duty as a platform...

“The little plane was folded up for the night, its wings being laid back along its body, with a few men pushing it, the frail little machine that had carried a man from the old world to the new, over land and sea, in a short 16 days was pushed along into the saddling paddock as if it were a glorified perambulator…”