Albion Park Airport & Wings Over Illawarra

Albion Park Airport was built in 1942 by the Civil Construction Corps as a wartime emergency strip to the training of RAAF pilots as part of the defence of the Illawarra.

Part of the land was originally owned by the Johnston family who farmed Marks Villa. The Johnston's bred Australian Illawarra Shorthorn cattle and exhibited successfully at south coast shows for over 30 years.

The Johnston farm was resumed for the construction of the airport in 1942 and the homestead was relocated to an area behind the historic 'Ravensthorpe' property. The Johnston family lost all of their good farming land to the airstrip and as a result almost became bankrupt.

This Sunday 5 May the annual Wings Over Illawarra is on at the airport! The event will showcase a wide range of activities and displays, including an Air Show of aerobatic, historic, modern and military aircraft as well as vintage car and bike displays and a number of static exhibitions and stalls. http://woi.org.au/

Albion Park airport
Shellharbour Images Shellharbour City Libraries

Albion Park airport
Shellharbour Images Shellharbour City Libraries

Albion Park airport
Shellharbour Images Shellharbour City Libraries

Marks Villa the Johnston family farm at Albion Park
Shellharbour Images Shellharbour City Libraries