William Ewart Hart

[2] His birth was registered as taking place in the Hart family home on Darcy Street Parramatta.

His father purchased a property on Wentworth Avenue, building Castrella in July 1888, where young William would most probably have grown up.

In September 1911 Hart met Joseph Hammond who was touring Australia as a demonstration pilot for the British & Colonial Aeroplane Company.

The next day he flew from Penrith to Parramatta with his younger brother Jack as passenger, completing the first cross-country flight in New South Wales.

On 30 June 1912, Hart won an air race—from Botany to Parramatta Park and return, and billed as the 'First International Aviation Contest'—when his opponent lost his way due to rain clouds and landed at Belmore.