Background
In 1926,
the RAAF(Williams) base at Laverton, in Melbourne's west, commenced. It was home to many RAAF operations, until its closure
in 1994.
Thousands of visitors flocked to the base
for the many Airshows held there.
Many of the buildings and hangers still stand, but a large part of the runway area land is now high densiity
residential development in a new suburb called Williams Landing.
During WW2, the base was used as the Headquarters of the the RAAF's Melbourne Radio System, linked
to other communications centres in Victoria, including "Frognall" in Canterbury and the Point Cook and Werribee bases.
Facilities at the base which were intoduced during WW2 included radio transmission, monitoring,
interception, telegraphy, and teletype.
In 1961, the base became home for the RAAF School
of Radio.
Closure
On closure in 1994, much
of the equipment was sold at public auction - some was transferred to the RAAF Museum at nearby Point Cook Base.
