 Isaacson grew up in Melbourne and started working for a newspaper when he was sixteen . He joined the RAAF in 1940 . Following his stint in Bomber Command , he became well known in Australia for his tours in the Avro Lancaster Q @-@ for @-@ Queenie to promote the sale of war loans and , in particular , for flying his plane under the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1943 . He transferred to the RAAF Reserve after the war , retiring as a wing commander in 1969 . Since 1956 he has served as a Trustee , Chairman , and finally Life Governor of the Victorian Shrine of Remembrance . In 1991 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his publishing and community work . 
