RECENTLY I had the task of dropping a relative off at Melbourne Airport. It was a well-worn journey through Keilor Park, which is more scenic and quicker than the Tullamarine Freeway. As we drove I noted the history of the area. At the corner of Link Road (previously known as Conders Lane) and Melrose Drive was the site of the Tullamarine Primary School. The only evidence of the school, three or four tall gum trees, had recently been cleared away. Melrose Drive deviates left on approach to the airport. This was once known as Grants Lane - some of that road still exists.

Landing fields have existed at Tullamarine since the 1920s. During World War II, there was a satellite aerodrome of Essendon Airport on the east side of Melrose Drive. On the west, was a farm called Gowrie Park, which was owned by the Donovan family and was also used for aviation, with facilities for Associated Airlines.

'Road access to the airport... is becoming increasingly problematic.' Credit:Paul Rovere

Gowrie Park extended to Grants Lane and these two airfields were located in the same place as the majority of the terminal facilities and runways of Tullamarine today.

My dreamy nostalgia came to an abrupt end on Centre Road. We hit the Tullamarine ''car park'', otherwise known as the freeway off ramp and Departure Drive. Crumbs.