Robert Norman

Sir Robert Henry Norman (30 January 1914 – 3 April 2007) was an Australian aviator and businessman, best known for establishing Bush Pilot Airways, which later became Air Queensland.

Early life Born at Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, on 30 January 1914, Norman was six years old when his fascination with flying was kindled. In 1920, a plane arrived at Maryborough, carrying a press reporter who was covering the Royal visit by the then Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII. Eight years later, Bert Hinkler flew into Maryborough; he had just completed the first solo flight from England to Australia. However, his passion for aviation remained strong. During his years of service, he had thought often of establishing his own company. He later said he got the idea for Bush Pilots whilst training in Canada after reading a local newspaper article about the pilots who flew to remote areas in that country. Determined to see that dream become a reality, he gained a commercial pilot's licence.

In 1947, Norman helped establish the North Queensland Aero Club, Anning suggested an arrangement whereby graziers would put up the money and the North Queensland Aero Club would provide the aircraft and crews.

Bush Pilots Airways On returning to Cairns, Norman discussed the idea with his solicitor, Jack Bell, who advised a limited liability company would be a better option. A prospectus was drawn up, and in 1952 Norman founded Bush Pilot Airways. He, Jack Bell and Neville Mitchell were the first three shareholders.

Its first aircraft was a de Havilland Dragonfly, purchased from Adastra Airways Ltd in Sydney and flown by Norman to Cairns on 19 June 1951; it went into operation four days later. By the late 1950s, the company had 11 four-seat Auster Autocars serving isolated settlements and properties across Cape York Peninsula, North West Queensland and Gulf Carpentaria Queensland. It opened up much-needed air links between Cairns and the small communities of Far North Queensland, keeping them supplied when the wet season cut the roads. From its humble start with one aircraft, Bush Pilots Airways Limited grew to become a major regional carrier in Northern Australia. Sir Robert spent 15 years at the helm of Bush Pilots and acted as an honorary pilot for Cairns Aerial Ambulance for 25 years.

In the author's note for his book Bush Pilot (1976), Norman wrote about being a bush pilot: … the greatest satisfaction of all was the realisation of doing something for others, and there was probably no other vocation in the world which offered more opportunities for giving service to our fellow men.

Community service and honours In 1958, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his work during and after Cyclone Agnes, which devastated much of Far North Queensland in March 1956; he flew in treacherous conditions to warn communities about oncoming flood waters and later delivered food to those cut-off by the flooding. He was created a Knight Bachelor in 1989 in recognition of his outstanding community service.

He had a long association with James Cook University, advocating for the establishment of a Cairns campus. He received an honorary Doctor of Letters from the university. The tropical research facility "Australian Tropical Herbarium" (building E2) at Cairns Campus of James Cook University at Smithfield is named in his honour due to his commitment to bringing the university to Cairns.

Sir Robert and Lady Betty Norman contributed to many community organisations, including the Cairns Art Gallery (where the ground floor gallery is named after her) and the Coast Guard (with the Sir Bob vessel being named for him).

When he was posthumously inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2016, it was said about him: Sir Robert 'Bob' Henry Norman was known for pioneering work in aviation, founding Bush Pilots Airways and offering his services as an honorary pilot for the Cairns Aerial Ambulance for a quarter of a century. His vision and determination brought passenger services to regional, rural and remote communities Queensland post World War II – a legacy which is still being felt today.

Death Robert Norman died in Cairns on 3 April 2007 at the age of 93. As a tribute, the North Queensland Warbirds performed a flyover of the Cairns Esplanade following the funeral service.

Sir Robert and Lady Betty had five children: Robert John ("Bob Jr"), Betty-Ann, Wendy Joy, Julie Kristine and Lindy Jane.