On a Wing and a Prayer

There’s nothing George Lee likes more than being in his glider “feeling the life of the air”.
Born in Ireland, George joined the British Royal Air Force at age 16. Determined to become a pilot he initially took up gliding to fast-track his training.
He remembers vividly his first flight. “I was 17, it was a three-minute circuit in light rain… and I was hooked.”
While flying fighter planes and working his way up to Squadron Leader in the RAF, George continued his passion for gliding.
In 1976 he reached the pinnacle – the World Gliding Championships. George went on to win three ‘worlds’ in a row, a first in gliding history. George’s eminence in the sport saw him receive an international award and an MBE, take Prince Charles for a flight and have lunch with the Queen.
After moving around England, Scotland and Germany, George and wife Maren settled in Hong Kong to raise their two children and for 15 years George flew 747s for Cathay Pacific.
But George’s dream had always been to set up an elite glider training program.  So, in 1999, the couple visited Australia in search of a base for their next adventure. 
Maren recalls, “We’d covered thousands of kilometres when someone suggested going to Dalby.  So we did. George went straight to the airfield, while I explored the town. There were some women selling home-baked goods for charity in the street, and I thought ‘these people really care about their town’.”
The friendliness of the people, the ideal flying conditions, and what Maren believes was a sign from God, led the Lees to purchase a small farm outside Dalby.  Over the next 10 years George ran a successful glider training school from his private hanger and airstrip.  Pilots came from all over the world to train with the former world champion.
“Many people have dreams, but how many get them to come true?” says George, “It was just as I had envisaged it.”
George is winding down the school in 2011 to concentrate on his work with church and community - he’s a church elder, writes motivational thoughts for the local paper, helps with Meals on Wheels and is planning a daily spot on community radio - and inspiring others to let their dreams take flight.