Description

This park is in honour of Australian war hero and helicopter mustering pioneer Flight Lieutenant Rex Robert Budd DFC. Rex served two operational tours of duty with 9 Squadron between 1968 and 1970 flying Iroquois helicopters during the Vietnam War. He was the first RAAF pilot to log 1000 hours during that campaign and was the third of five flight commanders, all having previously flown fighter aircraft. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his superior leadership, courage and devotion to duty during 625 days overall service in Vietnam. After returning home from Vietnam he started his own mustering business in Mareeba and became one of the pioneers of helicopter mustering.