Bert Hinkler made the first solo flight from the UK to Australia in 15 days in G-EBOV arriving at Darwin on February 22, 1928. A few weeks later he flew to the national capital, Canberra, to meet prime minister Stanley Bruce. Hinkler landed on the parade ground of the Duntroon military college where there were facilities suitable for such an auspicious occasion. Canberra's aerodrome was nothing more than a paddock.