An aviation pioneer

Hudson Parap is positioned in the centre of the historical aviation precinct of Parap and Fannie Bay. Directly behind is the historical QANTAS hanger which has been converted to a museum. This precinct has hosted such iconic names as Ross Smith and Amy Johnson. Both have had Darwin Avenues named after them.

An iconic name, well known to locals is Hudson Fysh, also having an Avenue named after him.

Hudson Fyshbwas voted one of the 100 most influential Australians of the 20th Century.

Amongst his many achievements, arguably his greatest was the pioneering of air travel, air mail delivery and medical assistance to remote locations in Queensland.

He fought in the light horse brigade during WW1, and later became a decorated gunner in the Australian Air Flying Corps. Just as WW1 was ending, while in Egypt, he trained as a pilot.

On his return to Australia, he was appointed surveyor for landing sites in Australia for the Great Air Race from England to Darwin won by Ross Smith.

After leaving Darwin, Hudson Fysh made his way to Longreach in Queensland. In the company of his pilot during WWI, Captain McGinness, they envisaged the need for a passenger and airmail delivery service, due to the remoteness of outback Queensland. They discussed the idea, obtaining finance from those enlightened by their vision, including their own savings, and major finance from Fergus McMaster. On the 16th of November, 1920, the Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service was born, with the acronym QANTAS. Hudson carried the first paying air passenger in Australia. He was also the founding father of Tourism Australia.

He went on to become the CEO and Managing Director of QANTAS, after the Australian Government bought QANTAS. He retired in 1966 and was knighted for his services to Australian and international air travel.

In 2002, Fysh was inducted into the Pacific Air Travel Association’s Gallery of Legends for ’’personal excellence, integrity and a lifetime contribution to travel and tourism’’.