Thread: RAAF Honour Roll of men who became VIP in pst war years

Honour Roll
The Royal Australian Air Force takes great pride in taking everyday men and women from Australian life and cultivating them into highly skilled and capable airmen. We instill core values that inspire leadership at every level and stay with people for life.

After serving their nation in the Royal Australian Air Force, these well known Australians have used their airmanship principles to excel in other fields of service for our fine Nation;

The lists are sorted in surname-alphabetical order.

Vice-Regal Appointments

Air Commodore Sir Hughie Edwards (Pilot) – Governor of Western Australia
Air Marshal Sir Colin Hannah (Pilot) - Governor of Queensland
Air Marshal Sir James Rowland (Pilot) - Governor of New South Wales
Flight Lieutenant Sir Walter Campbell (Pilot) - Governor of Queensland

Politics

Air Vice-Marshal Bill Bostock (Pilot) - Member of Parliament
Flight Lieutenant Thomas Drake-Brockman (Tail Gunner) - Minister for Air
Flight Lieutenant Dudley Erwin (Navigator) - Minister for Air
Flight Lieutenant David Fairbairn (Pilot) - Minister for Air
Flight Lieutenant John Gorton (Pilot) - Prime Minister of Australia
Group Captain Bob Halverson (Logistics) - Speaker of the House of Representatives
Wing Commander Trevor Kaine (Logistics) - Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Squadron Leader Jackie Kelly (Legal) - Minister for Sport
Leading Aircraftman Clarrie Miller (Communications) – Member of Parliament [/I][/I]
[I]Flight Lieutenant Edward Gough Whitlam (Navigator) - Prime Minister of Australia[/I]

Group Captain Raymond Garrett (Pilot) - President of the Victorian Legislative Council (1968-76)
Aircraftman 2 Frederick Thomas (Pilot) - Lord Mayor of Melbourne
Group Captain John Waddy (Pilot) - New South Wales Member of Parliament

Judiciary

Group Captain Robert Douglas (Legal) – Queensland Supreme Court Judge
Air Vice-Marshal Michael Helsham (Pilot/Legal) – New South Wales Supreme Court Judge
Flying Officer Clarrie Hermes (Communications) – Australian Capital Territory Chief Magistrate
Air Commodore Philip Opas (Legal) – Defence Council for Ronald Ryan (last man hanged in 1967)
Flight Lieutenant Hubert Opperman (Administration & Special Duties) – Cabinet Minister and Ambassador
Wing Commander George Pape (Administration & Special Duties) – Victorian Supreme Court Judge
Flight Lieutenant Sir Walter Campbell (Pilot) - Chief Justice of Queensland

Aviation

Air Commodore (Honorary) Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith (Pilot) – Australian Aviation Pioneer
Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams (Pilot) - Director-General of Civil Aviation

Culture

Aircraftman 1 Norman Bartlett (Trainee) – Film Maker
Sergeant Bruce Dawe (Education Assistant) – Poet, Academic and Composer
Flying Officer Chips Rafferty (Administration & Special Duties) - Actor
Leading Aircraftman Jack Wong Sue (Intelligence) – Author and West Australian businessman
Flight Lieutenant Charles 'Bud' Tingwell (Pilot) – Actor

Sport

Wing Commander Matt Hall (Pilot) – Red Bull Air Racer
Flight Sergeant Keith Miller (Pilot) - Australian Test Cricketer / St Kilda Footballer
Leading Aircraftman Tom Raudonikis (Airframe Fitter) - Australian Rugby League Icon

If you know of any other famous Australian Airmen please e-mail the details to raaf.inquiries@defence.gov.au