Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents:
Skippy’s Tragic Star by Peter Hobbins
What does a helicopter crash have to do with Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, filmed in Ku-ring-gai National Park? Find out on Saturday, 21 March 2026, when Peter Hobbins presents Skippy’s Tragic Star.
Just days before Christmas in 1966, a helicopter plummeted into downtown Sydney, killing everyone on board. But what made this disaster truly chilling is that the ABC film crew inside recorded their own final moments, while another crew on the Harbour captured the disaster unfolding.
The footage stunned the world, and Australian aviation changed forever. And somehow, Skippy is tangled up in this story.
Join Dr Peter Hobbins, historian, curator, and expert in all things disastrous – from pandemics to shipwrecks to aviation catastrophes – as he unpacks this gripping true story. Expect twists, jaw-dropping details, and the kind of history lesson you won’t soon forget.
Free entry, no booking required. You are welcome to stay for refreshments and a chat following the presentation.
About the speaker
Dr Peter Hobbins is a historian and curator at the State Library of New South Wales. He specialises in what happens when science, technology and medicine go wrong – including snakebites, pandemics, shipwrecks and aviation accidents.
Event details
Join us in Gordon Library Meeting Room 1 at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
The meeting room is in the Old Gordon Public School, adjoining the library, 799 Pacific Hwy, Gordon (corner Pacific Hwy and Park Ave).
It’s just a 5-minute walk from Gordon station. For a map and parking information, see www.khs.org.au/contact-us
In case of any last-minute changes, and for more information on our forthcoming talks, please check our website, www.khs.org.au/events
0 Comments