Strathpine Spitfires Little Athletics

Why have we chosen the "Spitfire" as our Mascot?

 

During World War II, one of the most important events that occurred in the Pine Rivers region was the formation in 1943 of the 548th and 549th Spitfire Squadrons that were based at Strathpine and Petrie. The squadrons were made up of a mix of Australian and British personnel and the Lawnton showgrounds became a camp for the RAAF pilots.

 

While camped at Strathpine, the 548th Squadron lost two men, Squadron Leader Henry Wright and Sergeant Alan Chandler, when their planes were involved in a mid-air collision on the 19th April 1944 near Youngs Crossing. Two months later, the squadrons were posted to Darwin to take a more active role in the aerial defence of Australia. Spitfire Avenue, the site of the A2 airstrip, along with several other streets were named to commemorate the Spitfire Squadrons.

Some thirty-three years later, the Strathpine Little Athletics Centre was established and operated from the playing fields of Pine Rivers State High School. These fields were bordered by Spitfire Avenue, the site of the A2 airstrip.

 

As a means of preserving both our Centre and local history and to honour those who fought and died while protecting our country, it was decided to form a link with the RAAFA by naming our Centre after the Spitfire Squadrons that were once located in this area.