On this day in 1958, The Canberra Times reported that 45 school kids were joined by a special guest during their flight from Sydney to Canberra the previous day.
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The school children were on an excursion to the nation's capital when they were joined by specialist Dr Bruce, who was rushing to give emergency treatment to a patient at Captains Flat.
The plane carrying the school children was the only civil aircraft in the air on that day, and, rather than being deterred from their adventure to capital city, the children welcomed the extra guest on their flight with open arms.
Their positive attitude continued throughout their excursion as well, with all the children wishing to spend more time in Canberra.
John Parkinson, nicknamed "Parko", was the 11-year-old student who arranged for the trip. He stated that one would need three days to see the city properly.
A schoolmate, upon hearing this, chimed in: "Aw, longer than that Parko'".
The party of school children and their supervising master had visited Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and the American War Memorial, Mount Stromlo Observatory, the Australian National University and Government House.
Most of them agreed their favourite destination had been the War Memorial.
