Menzies Reserve

The reserve was named in honour of local aviators Guy Lambton Menzies and Ian Lambton Menzies, who were brothers. Squadron leader Guy Menzies was killed on 1 November 1940 when his Sunderland flying boat was shot down over Italy, while Flying Officer Ian Menzies died in a flying accident on 18 April 1941 at Ravenswood, Queensland.

Drummoyne Council moved to have the Drummoyne Wharf Reserve renamed Menzies Reserve in honour of the Menzies brothers in May 1942. There is no evidence that the reserve was donated by the Menzies family, though the family did live nearby at 14 Wolseley Street, Drummoyune, where Guy and Ian grew up. Canada Bay Council re-dedicated the reserve in 2004.

2 Comments

Daune Scott

Two questions: Firstly, I would like to know the historical background of Menzies Reserve. Was the land on which it is located donated by a local Dr Menzies to commemorate the life of his son, a prominent aviator who made the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand?
The other question is about the current status of the reserve.
It is of concern that the original Menzies Reserve sign has been replaced by Transport NSW’s Drummoyne sign. The only reference to Menzies Reserve is on a commemorative rock well back on the reserve near the wharf bridge entry. In addition, when google maps are checked, Menzies Reserve is not labelled & marked in green as other nearby reserves are.

CCBHS Editor

The reserve was named in honour of local aviators Guy Lambton Menzies and Ian Lambton Menzies, who were brothers. Squadron leader Guy Menzies was killed on 1 November 1940 when his Sunderland flying boat was shot down over Italy, while Flying Officer Ian Menzies died in a flying accident on 18 April 1941 at Ravenswood, Queensland.
Drummoyne Council moved to have the Drummoyne Wharf Reserve renamed Menzies Reserve in honour of the Menzies brothers in May 1942. There is no evidence that the reserve was donated by the Menzies family, though the family did live nearby at 14 Wolseley Street, Drummoyune, where Guy and Ian grew up. Canada Bay Council re-dedicated the reserve in 2004.