Swinging Air Force Ball takes flight

THE Air Force Centenary Ball had Brown Hill Hall swinging on Saturday night.

Hosted by the Air Force Association Ballarat Branch, 80 attendees marked the 100th anniversary celebration of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force in style, dancing the night away to live music from the 1940s era.

AFA Ballarat president Noel Hutchins said it was important to acknowledge the centenary locally.

“The RAAF Base in Ballarat played a massive role during World War Two, both in Europe and Africa, as well as in our Battle for Australia in the Paci­fic and right here at home in our defensive war against the invading Japanese forces,” he said.

“It was at the No 1 Wireless Air Gunners School Ballarat where Wireless Air Gunners were trained for war service with Britain’s RAF Bomber Command or RAAF Squadrons defending Australia.

“Many of those men lost their lives in action against the Germans, and others in action against the Japanese, with many buried in foreign soil.”

Recently retired RAAF Wing Commander Daryll Topp, the vice-president of Air Force Association Victoria, and his wife Gillian travelled up from Melbourne to attend, while local AFA members and the swing-dancing community also enjoyed the night.

Mr Hutchins said singing trio The Pacific Belles were “an absolute delight” performing two half-hour sets, which were a highlight of the event for all.

“I was overjoyed to see so many dancers being able to once again get together on the dance floor after long periods of not having to be able to do so,” he said.

“I have never before seen so many very happy dancers, and the night went off without a single hitch.”