Avalon pioneer earns his angel wings

CLIFTON Springs’ Ken Cooper witnessed the birth of Avalon Airport decades ago, and is now the last member of its original workforce to earn his “angel wings”.
Mr Cooper was aged 102 when he died on September 14, and was farewelled by his loving family and friends at a memorial service last week.
“Ken has had a long, wonderful, blessed life,” daughter Janice Edwards said.
“He married Doss the love of his life and together they shared 62 years of marriage.
“He has left a great legacy, a man of integrity, compassion and love.”
Mr Cooper was one of 20 men selected by the federal government to build propeller and jet planes at Avalon Airport when it opened on March 3, 1953.
“Ken recalled seeing a gravel track, tin shed, and no toilet facilities on the first day, and 1600ha of flat dried grass farmland, teeming with rabbits,” Mrs Edwards said.
“He wondered what he had struck!
“They commenced building Canberra bombers in the tin shed.
“The first hangar known as Plant 4 was in the process of being constructed.”
Mrs Edwards said the first Canberra twin engine jet aircraft was built and its flight test was on May 2 1953, with test pilot John Miles at the controls.
“When Johnny Miles came back from flight he congratulated Ken and his team for the great work they had done.”
Mrs Edwards said her dad’s interest in aircraft was triggered back in 1927, when he was just 10 years old.
“Sir Kingsford Smith landed his aircraft in a paddock at Wonthaggi and Ken’s dad took him over to see it,” she said.
“He said to his father that he would like to get a job in building aircraft one day.
“The seed was planted, that would be watered and flourished in the years to come.”
It was in 1989 when Ken and Doss found their special home in Bay Shore Ave and moved to Clifton Springs.
During the years at Clifton Springs, they saw their family grow to seven grandchildren and Ken was there to see his 13 great grandchildren.
In December 2016, Ken was admitted to Drysdale Grove for respite following many falls, where he remained until the end.
But something momentous took place on his 102nd birthday in April – a surprise visit by Avalon Airport chief executive officer Justin Giddings.
“What a fabulous, memorable birthday Ken had,” she said.
“Justin presented Ken with the 2017 aerial photograph of the Avalon Airshow, a cap and the Avalon Airport magazine. It was wonderful.”
Mrs Edwards said her dad’s comment was: “That has made my day”.