Friday, 21 June 2024
On Friday, 21 June 2024, 100 years and a day after the first flight from Portugal to Macau was successfully completed on 20 June 1924, family members, members of the Club and representatives from the Celebrations Organizing Committee in Portugal met together at Club Lusitano to commemorate this historical event and milestone in the history of Portuguese aviation. Representing the ‘Celebrations Organizing Committee’ who travelled from Portugal were-
Odemira Municipality: Mayor Helder Guerreiro and the Major’s Office Ms. Natália Correia, and
Mayor of Vila Nova de Milfontes Mr. Francisco Lampreia and his wife Anabela
The Portuguese Air Force: Lieutenant General Manuel Rafael Martins, Director of the Air
Force Historical-Cultural Directorate and his wife Esmeralda Martins and Colonel Carlos
Mouta Raposo, Director of the Sintra Air Museum (Museu do Air)
University of Porto: Professor Isabel Morujão and her husband Mr. Nuno Beires
Prior to arriving in Hong Kong the delegation first made a visit to Macau when, on Thursday, 20 June, 2024 marking symbolically 100 years to the day when the aviators reached Macau, they gave a talk, unveiled a plaque at the Consulate General of Portugal and displayed an exhibition depicting the story of the flight in Portuguese.
The following day, on 21 June 2024 the delegation came to Hong Kong and visited Club Lusitano. The club held two receptions for the aviators in June and July 1924. On behalf of the Celebration Organizing Committee, Lieutenant General Manuel Rafael Martins unveiled a plaque next to the propellor of the Patria II, as a tribute to the aviators. It was an emotional and moving moment when the delegates and family members were introduced to and able to touch the remains of the Patria II’s propellor in person.
Left to right: Mayor Helder Guerreiro, Mayor Francisco Lampreia, Mr. Patrick Rozario, Professor Isabel Morujão, Lieutenant General Manuel Rafael Martins and Colonel Carlos Mouta Raposo
Mr. Nuno Beires, descendant of aviator Sarmento Beires with Mr. Ruy O Barretto SC, General Committee member of Club Lusitano
After the Plaque unveiling a talk was presented in the 27/floor ballroom to a full audience and to the guest of honour Dr. Alexandre Leitão, Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong. Aside from members and guests of the Club, members of the Aviation Club, Hong Kong China led by Vice President Mr. and Mrs Moore, Mr. Cody Wong, Chief Pilot (Training and Standards) of the Government Flying Service (“GFS”) and representatives from the Hong Kong Historical Aircraft Association (Gordon Andreassend, Magnus Bartlett and Jessica & Goi Park) attended.
Opening Remarks by Mayor Helder Guerreiro
Talk given by Lieutenant General Manuel Rafael Martins
