The Trust was the brainchild of E J Connellan (EJ) who established Connellan Airways in 1939. This Territorian pioneer, aviator and pastoralist convinced the shareholders of Connellan Airways that a substantial portion of the proceeds of the sale of the airline should be applied to the establishment of a Trust. Due to the generosity of many and the efforts of EJ Connellan, the Trust was established in June 1981. The vision of EJ for the Trust is encapsulated in a Trust Deed. The Trust is administered by a company with a Board of Directors whose services are honorary, yet another example of the community spirit that EJ excited. The duties of the Directors are to nurture the assets of the Trust and also to assess funding applications to the Trust against the objectives of the Deed.

• To promote and encourage the advancement of knowledge of people, especially younger people, living in remote parts of that area of outback Australia formerly served by Connellan Airways, and in other parts of Australia similar in remoteness.
• To assist such people through facilitating air travel and the delivery of education needs, communication requisites and health related supplies.
• To foster education of people in outback Australia, other than those living in its remote parts, who provide service or assistance to people living in those parts.

(A paraphrase of the Deed’s formal wording)

What can YOU do to assist the Trust?
By way of showing appreciation for assistance received from the Trust and promoting the Trust in any way available to you. If you have cause to address the media, mention the financial assistance you have received to help you to realise your dream. If you are having a conference, make sure everyone knows through promotional material that the Trust has made a contribution. Even just talking about the Trust at social gatherings will assist to promote its activities.