My name is Terri Grote and I am conducting some personal research on the local history of Geelong, a regional city in Victoria, Australia. Through one other topic I was researching someone mentioned to me that the 'Belmont Common' was actually an aerodrome where many women pilots around the 1920's landed. I have found references to it in photocopies of the Geelong Advertiser, a local newspaper, from 1919.

I discovered your site concerning military airfields in Australia during World War 2, and even though the aerodrome at or called Belmont Common was not a military airfield I was wondering if you know anything concerning it or pilots who were associated with it, i.e. landed there.

At this stage, I feel I should always put this in my e-mails to people I am asking information from just to clarify certain issues. This research is for personal interest only. IF at any stage this research is written up, all people who contributed info will be acknowledged and thanked.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to your reply,

Terri

Hi Peter,

Thanks for replying to my e-mail. I don't think Belmont Common was used during WW2 but I'm not too sure as I remember my grandmother telling us that Geelong used to have to be in darkness during the war.

I have found only a speck mentioning WW2. Here it is "Before the second world war there were fewer than 3,000 people in Belmont (present population is over 10,000). Until 1936 the shopping centre on High Street (Princes Highway) was small, but a Harry Hooper grocery (later a supermarket) attracted retail development. A Dickens grocery opened later, and developed, culminating in a Coles New World Supermarket. Kmart opened a drive-in centre immediately to the north in 1970. This development coincided with strong increases in traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, putting pressure on the shopping centre's amenity.

By the early 1950s the tide of suburban growth was well upon Belmont. A second primary school was opened in 1951, a high school in 1955, and community facilities were well established."

 But I what I will do (to confirm) is when I go the Geelong Historical records centre this week, I will ask Norm, who knows just about everything there is to know about Geelong's history, whether it was used during WW2.

Regards,

Terri

I saw Norm today at the historical records centre, but all he could tell me was that it was used as an airfield from 1920 to the 1950's but he couldn't say whether or not it was actually used for activities concerning WW2. It is a bit surprising that there is not much research on it from this end of local history. But in my research adventures if I do find evidence I shall let you know.

Hope your own research goes well,

Terri

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products