Celebrations taking shape

THE bronze statue of Sir Richard Williams, considered the father of the Royal Australian Air Force, is almost complete.
Local groups, businesses, individuals and the state government all contributed to raising $75,000 for the project, which is being completed by sculptor Tim Thomson.
The work will be unveiled as part of the Sir Richard Williams RAAF Centenary Celebrations at Moonta on Sunday, August 29.
Sir Richard Williams RAAF Centenary Celebrations Committee chairperson Robyn Knight had a chance to see the sculpture, and Mr Thomson's process, up close recently.
"Now it has been approved by a representative from the RAAF, it will be cast in bronze," Mrs Knight said.
Mrs Knight and the committee had been busy in recent months working on plans for the big unveiling, including a commemorative church service, art exhibition, fair, street parade and modern and vintage plane flypasts.
"We are always looking for more interested people to help plan the day of the unveiling," Mrs Knight said.
The unveiling will cap off a year filled with celebrations for the centenary of the RAAF and Sir Richard's involvement.
Several Kernewek Lowender events had a RAAF touch, with Mrs Knight presenting a paper on Sir Richard at a Cornish History Seminar, and RAAF ex-servicepeople being acknowledged during Dressing the Graves.
"The Dressing the Graves theme went well with Dr Robert Black AO doing the Ode of Remembrance at each ceremony and Victor Leo Simms, Australian Flying Corps, and Oliver David Tully, former RAAF serviceman, being honoured at Wallaroo and Kadina Cemeteries respectively," Mrs Knight said.
"Australian flags were placed on the graves of all known RAAF service personnel buried in our four cemeteries.
"I also wrote a brief story and placed flags on the grave of Sir Richard's parents, grandparents and uncle in Moonta Cemetery."
To find out more about the Sir Richard Williams RAAF Centenary Celebrations, visit www.facebook.com/Sir-Richard-Williams-RAAF-Centenary-Celebrations-Moonta-320596228508180.