June 10, 2025
In January this year, the Kingaroy Aero Modellers Society (KAMS) suffered a devastating blow when its much-loved HQ was blown away in a massive storm.
The shed, which had been erected with pride at the KAMS flying ground at Booie, was dubbed the “KAMS Hilton” and even had a special name hand-made sign proclaiming its status.
“We taught an 80-year-old gentleman from Tansey to fly and as a gesture of his appreciation, he made us a sign for our shelter and storage facility,” KAMS president / secretary John Box said.
When the storm hit, the shed and the precious sign were blown about 30 metres away into a nearby paddock.
Fortunately, the sign survived the destruction and after a refurbishment has been re-erected in a new “KAMS Hilton” which was officially opened in a small ceremony on Sunday.
The new shed – actually a modified carport – was donated to KAMS by the Model Aeronautical Association of Queensland (MAAQ).
It formerly belonged to a control-line aeromodelling club in Brisbane which had been wound up.
The new HQ was erected with the permission of the McLennan family which owns the property on which KAMS meets and maintains its strip.
John said the carport and enough material to enclose the walls was delivered to the KAMS field by Shed Zone at no cost to KAMS.
KAMS volunteers then worked hard to erect their new building.
The whole project cost the club about $2000.
Members and fellow fliers travelled from the Samford Valley, Esk, Burnett Heads, Toogoolawah, Dalby and across the South Burnett for the official opening on Sunday.
At the opening, John detailed a short history of aeromodelling in the South Burnett, which dates back to at least the 1960s when there were small groups of enthuusiasts flying free-flight and control-line models at different sites.
“In the mid-1970s a club was formed in Murgon, the ‘South Burnett Model Aero Club’ which was the first club in the area known to be affiliated with Model Aeronautical Association of Australia,” John said.
“Members flew radio control model aircraft from the designated landing site at Angelfield in Murgon. A clubhouse was constructed, and several very successful fly-ins were held annually with aeromodellers coming from all over south-east Queensland.
“In the early 1980s a variety of aeromodellers were flying at Alan Swendson’s property.
“In 1983, the Kingaroy Aero Modellers Society was formed and was affiliated with Model Aeronautical Association of Australia.
“Some time later the club relocated to the Westaroy area. Unfortunately, that location proved to be problematical when the property was ploughed up.
“So the search was on for a new flying field.
“By the grace of property owners Bill and Mary McLennan, KAMS relocated to 844 Booie-Crawford Rd Booie in 1988.
“This has now been the home of KAMS for 37 years.”
Thanks for the great article and ongoing support of activities at KAMS
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