Pilot and author to deliver Coates Oration

FORMER Qantas pilot and author Richard de Crespigny AM will be the orator at the 2025 Sir Albert Coates Oration.

In collaboration with Federation University, the event will be held in the Geoffrey Blainey Auditorium, Mount Helen campus on Wednesday 19 November at 6pm.

Mr de Crespigny was the pilot in charge of QF32, an Airbus A380 flight from London to Sydney via Singapore where one of the Rolls Royce engines failed over the Riau Islands, Indonesia, four minutes after take-off from Changi Airport.

The plane made a successful landing after almost two hours assessing the situation.

There were no injuries to passengers, crew or people on the ground despite debris from the plane falling onto houses.

“Mr de Crespigny was born in Melbourne,” said Coates Memorial Trust’s Roger Trudgeon.

“He joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a seventeen-year-old at the Point Cook RAAF Academy.

“With the RAAF he flew transport, jet and helicopter aircraft.

“During his eleven years’ service with the RAAF, he served as Aide-de-Camp to two Australian Governors-Generals, Sir Zelman Cowen and Sir Ninian Stephen.

“In 1986, he joined Qantas where he flew Boeing 747, Airbus A330 and Airbus A380 jet aircraft.

“In the 2016 Australia Day Honours, Richard was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the aviation industry, both nationally and internationally, particularly to flight safety and to the community.”

The oration is a free event, and attendees are asked to RSVP to secure their seats by emailing [email protected].

Following the oration there will be a dinner. The two-course dinner will be $70 per head.

For enquiries and dietary requirements, contact Shirley McIver at [email protected].