Australian Air League Maitland Squadron

George Robey, founder of the Australian Air LeagueGeorge Robey was an Australian soldier who distinguished himself as an original ANZAC, earning a Distinguished Conduct Medal on 25 April 1915 at the Gallipoli landing. Mr. Robey was still a soldier, in the Militia when in 1927 he went to Canberra to assist in the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament House.

He brought back a toy wooden aeroplane for his son Keith that sparked an interest in aviation and inspired his son to learn about aviation. That inspiration has lasted until the present day. Keith Robey through his career has been a senior executive of one of Australia's largest general aviation companies. Keith was also a well respected aviation feature writer for "Aircraft" magazine, specialising in flight testing of aircraft.

The gift of the toy wooden aeroplane also sparked off the "Australian Air League" when five years later Keith complained of the lack of a youth organisation specialising in aviation. His father George Robey and other concerned adults formed the "Air Mindedness Development League" and on 18 July 1934 Keith was enrolled as the first Cadet member. Not long after that the name was changed to the "Australian Air League".