I lived in Essendon before I was married and used to spend time visiting the airport (especially in the 1960's period) as I have always had an interest in aviation.
I commenced working with Ansett as a Traffic Officer at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) in June of 1974. Four and a half years into my role I moved into their head office, becoming involved with the automation side of things. In 1980 I was involved in buying a package from British Airways to automatically work out passenger and luggage weight, streamlining check in facilities and auto allocating seats and printing boarding passes. Extremely innovative technology of the era.
I worked with Ansett for 28 years in total before being made redundant in 2001. Just six months before the company went into administration!
Did you know that the tram used to run right up to the ANA Terminal (Now Bounce)?
Australia’s first high intensity Calvert Landing Lights were installed at Essendon in 1953 to allow aircraft to land in foggy conditions. This ‘Ladder of Lights’ extended up the hill, east towards Gaffney Street.
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