The roots of the P&DARCS are in the Police Paddocks just outside Dandenong. In 1966 an R/C model flier (still a member) mowed a strip there. A few others joined him. The D&DARCS (Dandenong and District Aircraft Radio Control Society) was born and became one of the most prominent R/C clubs in the State. We comprise a cross section of the community. They run from juniors to the "Over the Hill Mob". Probably the most common age for joining is in one's 30s. The majority of the members are "fun flyers" but our club participation in competition events is quite successful.
Like most similar clubs around the world, (for an example click here on the North Anston Society of Aeromodellers,) their members suffered from all the problems of flying on somebody else's property. Because they could be thrown off at any minute it was not worth developing any facilities. Equipment such as mowers had to be taken there and home again whenever needed; when it rained you could only dive into the car; facilities for the family were non-existent and there were complaints from neighbours to be dealt with from time to time. We knew that sooner or later development would crowd us out. Therefore, from its earliest years, the club planned to buy its own field.

After several false starts, in 1978 the Club located land for sale just outside the little township of Cardinia, a few km's east of Cranbourne. The 102 acres was ideal -- flat, treeless, with few neighbours and ideally shaped. A scheme for the members to contribute the rest of the funds required to purchase it was developed and the property purchased. It was named Burley Field, in honour of Graham Burley, the well respected president of the club at the time of the purchase, who unfortunately died before the purchase was completed.
The club occupies about one quarter of the property, which on its longest side measures one and a quarter kilometres. The rest is let off but the club retains the right to fly all over it. The rent helps noticeably to support the club and thereby reduce subscriptions.
Much has been put into the maintenance and development of Burley Field:-
• A Clubhouse was acquired, moved to the field and rebuilt.
• A large shed was manually shifted from a back corner of the property to its current position to house the tractors and other machinery.
• Three flying surfaces, two North-South and the main East-West strip (long enough to land a full-sized aircraft) were constructed.
• The dam was enlarged, fences moved and erected, septic toilets and a covered transmitter pound erected, tractors bought, power and telephone connected, drink machine, refrigerator, microwave, tables in the pits, gas barbecue, a very large water tank to provide water for the strips with extensions to the rooves to provide a catchment area, and so on. Recently installed was an automatic underground pump to help fill the some of the water tanks and so it goes on. Click on "About Us" for more additions and improvements we have been able to make. And we are going to make a second attempt to grow shrubbery alongside the road in.
Each member has his own key to the property and to the clubhouse. Flying is allowed on any day of the week.
Apart from general fun flying there are annual, monthly and other events -- few of them too serious. For all Victorian Radio Control events visit the VMAA Calendar site.The Club meets as a group each month, except in January. At the moment it is on a Wednesday in Dingley in the winter and at the weekend at the field in the summer. For the date and place of the next meeting please contact the Secretary or Registrar.
Its facilities make it unique amongst radio controlled model aircraft clubs in this part of Australia. These, and the camaraderie of the club, make a few hours at the field a comfortable, civilised, relaxed, and enjoyable break.