Air Show Day is Family Day.

Last weekend RAAF Richmond air base celebrated its centenary with a sizeable air show. The base is home to the unit with which I serve as a Reservist, but the significance to our family lies much deeper.

Kirrily’s father served at RAAF Richmond in the 1950s and 1960s, flying the Hercules, Caribou and Dakota aircraft. My parents met at RAAF Richmond. My mother was a corporal working in an administrative role when she met my father passing through on his way to the Korean War – they were married shortly after his return. Consequently, as I drive through the base to our hangar, I go past buildings that hold significance for our family.

As such, when the air show was announced, it was more than appropriate that our family should come on board and volunteer. Myself, as a Reservist, Kirrily as a pilot with the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) and our son, who is a senior cadet NCO with that same organisation.

As all manner of military aircraft roared overhead, we had the opportunity to introduce thousands to the Diamond DA40NG aircraft of the AAFC. And the significance of the day was heightened by the thought that family milestones had taken place over the last 75 years and all were within walking distance of where we now stood.

Yes, it was a wonderful air show but to our family it was something more.