Sunday 19^th August

Swan Hill is not being very kind to us as far as the weather goes.  I don’t usually have to mention this aspect of travelling as our days and most nights so far have been quite acceptable.

On Friday night at the movies, the gentleman sitting next to me recommended the Catalina Flying Boat museum to me as a “must do”.  He was an original Swan Hill resident, so I took credence in what he suggested.

This museum is on the shores of Lake Boga about 15km from town. I was fascinated upon hearing the story of its inception and role during the Second World War.

The Australian Government had known the existence of Lake Boga as a potential site for flying boat activity, and it was not until the Japanese attacks on Broome in 1942 with the loss of 16 flying boats that this safe haven for their repair was brought into being. Lake Boga was an ideal stretch of water for the flying boats and amphibious aircraft as it was almost circular and free of obstructions. 

During the depot’s wartime life, personnel undertook large volumes of work, including the service, repair, restoration, rebuilding or overhauling of 416 aircraft.  In addition to RAAF aircraft, many allied flying boats used the Lake Boga Depot for repairs, including those of the USA and the Netherlands.  At peak operation 39 Officers, 802 Airmen and 102 WAAF’s staffed the depot, which closed in 1947.

An underground bunker is now set up to replicate the activities that occurred during the depot’s lifetime, including a mess with a generator and a radio room.