from the Common and completed the longest towed glider flight in Australia up to that time. Avro Anson bombers used by Bass Island Airways on the run to King Island were housed and serviced at the Belmont Common, one being destroyed by floods in 1952. By the early 1950s the aerodrome on the Common had closed. The land returned to grazing use however the aero tie down stations remained, the old aero work shop became a metal working shop (Coghlan and Russell) and the Common was still being used by crop dusters and other biplanes up until the early 1960s when pilots would make sweeps low down to herd cattle away from the landing approach. It was rumored that Percy mentioned above also completed the "first" under bridge pass of the steel Moorabool Street bridge. Gliding was still conducted up until early 1960s as well at the Common with a winch truck used to winch the gliders to sufficient thermal height. Returning to land was sometimes left a little late with low height remaining after a flight with one tree alongside the Moorabool Street bridge reduced in height somewhat by a low passing glider. The glider shed was located approximately under the present main intersection at Barwon Heads / Settlement Road intersection. This shed later became the first home of the Bellarine railway group and was the site of filming for a Sullivans episode showing old World War II steam trains. Remains of the initial rail spur can be seen heading towards the golf course. It was planned to extend the rail line along the river reserve towards Highton. As well as full size aero and glider activities the Common was used by model flyers as well. Initially control line and free flight models until use of early radio control models in 1966/7. By mid-1967 a social flying group had been formed. Geelong Aero Guidance Society was formed in Barry A's garage in Belmont. They remained at the Common for a few more years until late 1970s they found a new site at Dog Rocks after wide spread use of high powered CB radios in Geelong caused interference to the radio control equipment. Railway A narrow gauge tourist railway operated on the Belmont Common from 1969 to 1976. Operated by the Australian Railway Historical Society's Geelong Division, under the Geelong Steam Preservation Society name, the railway started with of track,