Harry Houdini - Escape Artist and Aviator
Harry Houdini's grand illusions and spectacular escape acts made him one of the most famous magicians of all time. But it is a little known fact that Houdini's wealth allowed him to indulge in other passions, such as aviation. In 1910, Harry Houdini shipped his Voisin Biplane out to Australia and on March 18, he made three flights at Diggers Rest, near Melbourne before a crowd of 120 spectators. His longest flight was three and a half minutes covering 3.2 kilometres. It was reported at the time that this was the first aerial flight in Australia but this remains in doubt. Australia Post released the 'Centenary of Powered Flight' stamp set in 2010, commemorating three great pioneers of Australian aviation which included Harry Houdini.
Air Scouts Canberra
2nd Canberra Scout Group was formed in 1925, a year before Houdini's death. Then in 1931, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement visited Australia. In Canberra, he visited the 2nd Canberra Scout hall, which was then located in Barton. A couple of amalgamations and name changes along the way, the Group moved to Latrobe Park, Deakin in 1963 and was renamed to Air Scouts Canberra in 2003. Scouts aged 7-17yo+ meet here and have a love of aviation, adventure and the great outdoors. Geocaching is just one of the many fun activities we get up to! For more visit www.airscouts.com.au.
***FTF honours goes to Tankengine***