WE sometimes fall more than a little short in honouring our local legends so say hello to Cecil Arthur Butler, a true hero in life but all but forgotten here where the story began. It's doubtful that anyone of today's generation knows of Arthur Butler (he preferred Arthur, we're told) but here was a Lithgow schoolboy and Small Arms Factory apprentice who earned a significant place in history when in 1930 he set a record for flying solo from England to Australia in a time of nine days, one hour and 45 minutes.
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A remarkable feat in a tiny Comper Swift that these days you'd think twice before flying from Bathurst to Sydney. A huge crowd turned out for a hero's welcome when he landed back home on the Lithgow showground.
After pioneering bush air services pre war he built up his Butler Air Transport into the nation's biggest commercial airline until ousted in a hostile takeover by Ansett in 1958. His bid to re-form with Australia's first jet liners was rejected by the Civil Aviation body on the grounds of inadequate airport facilities so Arthur left the industry and took on the role of chairman of the NSW Ambulance Board where he successfully raised funds for the establishment of the air ambulance service.
He was honoured with the Order of the British Empire and died in 1980 at the age of 78. His sister Norah continued to work at Lithgow High School and resided in the family home in Redgate Street until her death.
It's a lifetime of true national achievement but in Lithgow you wouldn't know he ever existed - all the more disappointing when the Central Western village of Tooraweenah is to erect a memorial to Cecil Arthur Butler. As an achiever he's right up there with Our Marjorie and deserves to be with her in Cook St Plaza.
There's a precedent
ON the issue of recognition there's something a little odd in the refusal by the Geographical Names Board to refuse use of the full name by Council in naming a lane to recognise the efforts of prominent sports administrator the late Rae Swift. It has not gone unnoticed that we already have Col Drew Drive, George Coates Avenue, Flint McClelland Drive, John Mackey VC Drive, Ian Holt Drive and Fred Burley Drive.
Half a job
QUITE a bit of blame game being played over the failure of priority for COVID jabs for workers in aged care facilities. Brings to mind a seemingly odd situation in Lithgow where some weeks ago an Army medical team provided the immunisation for residents in both Lithgow nursing homes but didn't jab the staff as it was reasonable to expect. Seems more than just counterproductive and one more detour in the COVID highway.
Corn Corner
JUST a little humour in what promises to be a bleak Winter week. Q: What do they call the takeaway food at our Notre Dame uni campus? A:The lunch pack of Notre Dame. OK, we didn't say it wasn't corny.
