Clinton J Down Photography

A true aviation legend lifting off from the Illawarra.

HARS Douglas DC-3C (VH-AES) "Hawdon" departs Shellharbour Airport, carrying with it more than 80 years of history. Built in 1942 as a military C-47 during World War II, the aircraft later entered airline service and became one of the foundation aircraft of Trans Australia Airlines (TAA), even operating the airline's inaugural Melbourne–Sydney service in 1946. Today, thanks to the dedication of HARS volunteers, this beautifully restored classic continues to grace Australian skies.

Just after 9pm last night, Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Stations 488 Shellharbour, 422 Warrawong and 207 Albion Park were called to a house fire in Helen Street, Warilla.

Pumper 488 arrived on scene within minutes to find a single-storey home fully involved in fire, with powerlines down across the roadway.

Three pumpers, two tankers and specialist HAZMAT crews worked to protect neighbouring properties while bringing the blaze under control.

NSW Ambulance paramedics were on scene to assess the residents, alongside officers from Lake Illawarra Police District and Energy.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/devastating-house-fire-warilla-family-loses-everything?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_AU

Nadine Morton - Journalist
Fire and Rescue NSW Illawarra Command MS1

NSW SES Hawkesbury 35 (HAW35)

The Spirit of Australia at Dawn

Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner VH-ZNK “Gangarru” rolls along Runway 34R at Sydney Airport in the early morning light.

With navigation and anti-collision lights reflecting off the tarmac and water, the Dreamliner makes for an impressive sight as another day of flying begins.

NSW Police Force Water Police 72 (WP72), Port Kembla Marine Area Command

How’s the ChatGPT effort below 🤣🤣🤣

Anyway, I am almost out of content to post, so daily images will dry up soon unfortunately. With the cost of living, work and family commitments, getting out and about is pretty hard these days.

So, if you know of anything good coming up to photograph, let me know and I’ll see what I can do!

Sometimes the best landscapes aren't the grand vistas, but the small scenes hidden along the track.

📍 Macquarie Rivulet, Illawarra, NSW

VRA Rescue NSW Central Coast Rescue Squad VRA411 and 414

The Aussie workhorse.

Seen here departing Sydney, Qantas Boeing 737-838 (VH-VXS) powers its way into the dull morning sky. For years, the 737 has been the backbone of the Qantas domestic network, connecting capital cities, regional centres and everything in between. This particular aircraft can carry around 170 passengers, and aircraft like it operate multiple flights every day across the country.

In the 2024 financial year, Qantas Domestic carried more than 20.9 million passengers. Chances are, if you've flown Qantas within Australia, there's a good chance it was aboard a 737 just like VH-VXS.

As the airline gradually introduces the new Airbus A321XLR fleet, the familiar Boeing 737 is entering the twilight of its Qantas career. For now, however, it remains one of the hardest-working aircraft in Australian aviation.

TasPorts Tug 'Mount Florance'