Model kites will be flown on Stanwell Park Beach on Sunday to mark the start of celebrations for the Lawrence Hargrave Centenary.
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Lawrence Hargrave Centre secretary Michael Adams said more than 70 people had registered for the Lawrence Hargrave Centenary luncheon at Stanwell Park Surf Club.
Those attending would get the opportunity to fly Hargrave-designed kites or watch from the penthouse position in the surf club.
"Several member of the Australian Kiteflyers Association will bring their gear to join our own Richard Webb and his full-size Hargrave replica box kites," Mr Adams said.
"Let's hope for better breezes than the recent balmy weather has provided."
Mr Adams said the luncheon was being held to mark Lawrence Hargrave's death 100 years ago.
"It is the centenary of his death but we are celebrating a life of one of Illawarra's chief pioneers ... and on the world stage a great aeronautical pioneer," he said. "We have around 12 different events this year that we are spreading funding from the IMB Community Foundation over."
Hargraves' achievements will also be celebrated at the Festival of Wings at Bondi in September which is being renamed the Lawrence Hargrave Festival of Wings.
"That is a wonderful kite flying show that attracts tens of thousands of people including many from overseas," Mr Adams said.
"And this year they wanted to lift somebody up 16 feet from the beach at Bondi under a Lawrence Hargrave kite, except the insurance company said no. So it is a good thing Lawrence Hargrave did it in 1894. They are going to use a dummy instead."
Hargrave will also be celebrated at Viva la Gong this year and the Festival of Flight at Stanwell Park.
Mr Adams said the Lawrence Hargrave Centre was dedicated to educating and promoting the heritage of Lawrence Hargrave.
On Sunday there will also be entertainment by Michael Blanche, the composer of two iconic Hargrave songs.
He will be joined by fellow composer Stephen Goldrick and playwright and film-maker Geoff Sykes.
Mr Adams, a local author, said members of the Hargrave family would attend and Lawrence John Hargrave would give the welcome address.
Entry is $20, payable to Carl Webb at the door, and kids are free. A Roman Dabrowski Hargrave wood-cut print will also be taken home by someone.
