The Flying Kangaroo

No symbol better conveys the intrepid spirit of Australia than the flying kangaroo. Whether it’s glimpsed on a red-eye flight to an interstate business meeting, before leaving for adventure or holidays, or when longing to return home, that sweep of red defines air travel in Australia.

Qantas has always been about connection. It began by connecting Australians across western Queensland’s unforgiving terrain, and before long was connecting Australia with the world. Qantas’s history is entwined with Australian identity, launching in the aftermath of World War I and the Spanish Flu, and soaring to match Australian ambitions in the one hundred years since. Its centenary year has been the most turbulent year yet, with a pandemic grounding virtually the entire fleet and Qantas coming to the rescue of Australians stranded overseas.

Like Australia, Qantas will soar again. The Flying Kangaroo features never-before-seen photographs and historical detail from Qantas’s archives, celebrating a century of Australian aviation and a nation that always reaches for the sky.

Neil has authored more than forty published books ranging from corporate histories to children’s fiction, and in his role as director of Bounce Books and Hyphen has worked on many more.

After a crack at professional football (soccer) he began his career in marketing and business before following his passion for storytelling at Bounce Books with his wife, Val.

‘Qantas has taken my family around the world on many cherished holidays, but perhaps my fondest memory came when Val and I were returning from a year living in Italy: when we boarded, the steward said “G’day Mr Mon… Monta.. Mo – woah that’s a name! What about I just stick with the Wallace part? Anyway, welcome on board sir!” His Aussie accent and that kangaroo on his badge made me so excited to get home. In some ways it was like I was already there.’

No symbol better conveys the intrepid spirit of Australia than the flying kangaroo. Whether it's glimpsed on a red-eye flight to an interstate business meeting, before leaving for adventure or holidays, or when longing to return home, that sweep of red defines air travel in Australia.Qantas has always been about connection. It began by connecting Australians across western Queensland's unforgiving terrain, and before long was connecting Australia with the world. Qantas's history is entwined with Australian identity, launching in the aftermath of World War I and the Spanish Flu, and soaring to match Australian ambitions in the one hundred years since. Its centenary year has been the most turbulent year yet, with a pandemic grounding virtually the entire fleet and Qantas coming to the rescue of Australians stranded overseas.Like Australia, Qantas will soar again. The Flying Kangaroo features never-before-seen photographs and historical detail from Qantas's archives, celebrating a century of Australian aviation and a nation that always reaches for the sky.

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