All of the buildings from the Maylands Aerodrome are still standing and have been re-purposed as part of the WA Police Academy[1]. The site began operation in 1924 and was the first commercial airport in Perth. Maylands Aerodrome helped facilitate travel and communication with the Eastern States and overseas. The site is associated with some of the record-breaking long-distance flights of the 1920s, and played an important role during World War Two, which saw the facility utilised for the construction and repair of air-frames and aircraft engines[2]. Although operational for several decades, it became apparent by 1938 that the airport offered little opportunity for expansion in order to meet the demands of newer aircraft. The Perth Guildford Airport was built in that year and became the main airport for Perth after the Second World War. The Maylands Aerodrome was finally closed in 1963 when the Jandakot Airport was built[3]. While the public is not allowed into the Police Complex, a small memorial park can be seen in Clarkson Reserve which details the history and significance of the Aerodrome.[4]
[1] City of Bayswater “2006 Municipal Heritage Inventory” October 2006. Place Number: 204
[2] ibid
[3] ‘’Perth/Maylands’’ The Airways Museum and Civil Aviation Historical Society. http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Maylands%201960s.htm
[4] ‘’Aviation Commemorative Park’’ City of Bayswater. 2018 http://www.bayswater.wa.gov.au/development/heritage/aviation-commemorative-park
