The Stinson (the aftermath)

March 1937 and onwards

Bernard O'Reilly was lauded by the general public but never received any official thanks or reward and returned to the guesthouse. The 'Green Mountains' guesthouse has remained with the O'Reilly family ever since and is now a high end retreat 'O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat', and it still celebrates Bernard’s achievements.

O'Reillys accommodation

O'Reillys have special 80th anniversary treks to the crash site with a commemorative ceremony that you can join.

The Stinson wreckage in 1990s

Stinson Walk Option 1 – Walk in Bernard’s Footsteps

Starting from O’Reilly’s Resort we hike along the same route that Bernard followed in his search for the Stinson Wreck in 1937. The walk begins on the Border Track, later going off the graded trail into rough terrain and dense misty rainforest, summitting Mount Throakban to reach Point Lookout and on to the Stinson clearing where we shall meet up with the Rescue Route group. There is an opportunity to go to Westray’s grave.

Stinson Walk Option 2 – The Rescue Route

Walking from the Christmas Creek end of the track, this walking group will creek cross, rock hop, and make their way alongside the tumbling creek to the site of Jim Westray’s grave. From creek level you will then climb steeply up the side of the hill to eventually reach the site of the Stinson Wreck. Reaching the Stinson clearing you then have the option of continuing a little further to Point Lookout to look towards Mount Warning in N.S.W.

Both groups meet at the Stinson Clearing for lunch and time for a commemoration and to hear the remarkable tale of the Stinson rescue.

The Stinson crash had a profound effect on Australians, and via the results of the inquest, saw changes to Australian aviation. The much discussed topic of radio communications and navigation led to (Check out the local connection in the 'Nhill Aeradio Station, navigating safely' story) a network of radio beacons across the country to aid pilots.

In 1940, after he had volunteered to join the Air Force, "and since the future is so obscure" Bernard fulfilled requests to write the story of the rescue - the result was the book "Green Mountains and Cullenbenbong".
Bernard O'Reilly died in 1975.
John Seymour Proud continued his career as an engineer, and died in 1997. Joseph Robert Binstead's death date of 1969 is uncertain.

Sources: Bernard O'Reilly "Green mountains", Jennifer Beck "Crash", Trove historic newspapers.