The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (also known as the London to Melbourne Air Race) took place in October 1934 as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations.

 The Lord Mayor of Melbourne devised the race, Sir Harold Gengoult Smith and the prize money of £15,000 was provided by Sir Macpherson Robertson, a wealthy Australian confectionery manufacturer, on the condition that the race be named after his MacRobertson confectionery company, and that it was organised to be as safe as possible.[

A further condition was that a gold medal be awarded to each pilot who completed the course within 16 days.

This year is the one-hundredth anniversary of the 1934 Macrobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne, and I have found a personal, family link to this historic event.

The Captain of the Dutch plane that came second was Koene Dirk Parmentier, a cousin of my Great-Grandmother.

He was a courageous man, you can learn more about him here.

During the race, the Uiver, low on fuel after the crew had become lost when caught in a thunderstorm, ended up over Albury, New South Wales.

The Uiver landed successfully, and next morning was pulled out of the mud by locals to fly on to Melbourne and win the handicap section of the race, coming second overall.