Port Melbourne's early aviation history

Kevin O'Reilly, aviation historian, shared his astonishing collection of photographs and deep knowledge of his subject with members. What follows is not an account of Kevin's wide ranging talk - just some observations arising from it.
The Shaw-Ross aerodrome was the first to be licensed. The proximity of the aerodrome to Princes Pier and to the bay was a surprise to me. As described in The Argus: 'From the New Pier Port Melbourne to the aerodrome of the Shaw-Ross Company is only a few hundred yards westward. Behind, where the aerodrome is built, the ground is sandy and flat, and makes a good landing place for aeroplanes' - as shown in the picture below.

'Flyers of Time' collection - Kevin O'Reilly

Sadly this adventurous aviator crashed close to the aerodrome on 22 May 1921. It is poignant that Shaw should have survived the war only to crash into 'a small cottage, half hidden in the sand rises between the aerodrome and the pier.'  The Argus of Monday 23 May 1921 gives a detailed account of the causes and circumstances of the crash.
Kevin's current research interest is Charles Daniel Pratt, aerial photographer. Pratt's output was so prolific that its hard to know where to begin exploring his body of work. Starting with the Society's current interest in Kitchens, there are seven amazing pictures of great clarity of the complex from various angles, showing sites of interest such as the football ground.

Sources and more information
www.flyersoftime.com
www.slv.org.au - search by Charles Pratt