That moment signalled the birth of RAAF Station Richmond, the first Royal Australian Air Force base outside Victoria, and the beginning of a partnership with the Hawkesbury that has now endured for a century.
This year, the base celebrated its 100th anniversary in style, throwing open its gates to thousands of visitors for a weekend of awe-inspiring flying displays, historic reflections, and a community celebration unlike any other.
Families, veterans, aviation enthusiasts, and locals of all ages came together to share in a moment of pride for both Defence and the region.
From its early days training airmen between the wars, Richmond quickly grew into a wartime hub during the Second World War. It supported multiple squadrons, training units, and even housed a major RAAF hospital.
In the decades that followed, the base became synonymous with air mobility, especially after the arrival of the C-130 Hercules in the late 1950s.
For generations, Hercules aircraft have lifted people, supplies, and hope to the most remote and disaster-stricken corners of Australia and beyond.
Whether responding to bushfires, floods, or humanitarian crises overseas, the men and women of Richmond have ensured the Air Force could move quickly when it mattered most.
Today, No. 37 Squadron still operates the Hercules from Richmond, and the next chapter is already being written with the government’s commitment to 20 new C-130Js, due to arrive from 2027.
That investment guarantees Richmond will remain a cornerstone of Australia’s defence and disaster-response capability well into the future.
But the centenary wasn’t just about history or Defence capability it was about community. Locals gathered in their thousands to see Richmond at its best.
From the roar of Hercules engines overhead to breathtaking aerobatic displays, visitors looked skyward in awe. On the ground, families explored heritage aircraft, spoke with Air Force personnel, and discovered stories that tied generations of service to the Hawkesbury heartland.
For many, it was also a time to reminisce. Veterans swapped stories of their time in uniform, parents explained the significance of the day to their children, and community members reflected on how closely tied Richmond and the Hawkesbury have become.
As the celebrations drew to a close, one message rang clear: RAAF Base Richmond is not just a Defence asset, but a neighbour, a partner, and a proud part of the Hawkesbury community.
