We now so easily accept the benefits and advantages of air travel and air mail, and give too little thought and thanks to the gallant Harry Butler and the men like him, who willingly gave their very lives, and whatever else they had to make it all possible.

It is fitting that the town that reared him should now preserve and honour the memory and achievement of Harry Butler for all time. And it is pleasing to note that Minlaton was always aware of the status of Butler as an aviation pioneer.

On January 24th, 1923, a presentation dinner at Minlaton R.S.L. was extended to him as a thanksgiving and welcome home after recovery from his near-fatal smash. This was only six months before his death, and it is recorded that Butler was overcome and speechless at the sincerity of the tributes that were paid to his ability as a flyer, and to his fine qualities as a man. To him was given on this occasion the rare distinction of being a pioneer who received recognition and honour in his own land.

In more recent times, commemorative Air Pageants have been held near Minlaton. The first, on 11th October 1958, coincided with the official opening of the Butler Memorial Building in Minlaton.

On 10th August, 1969, an Air Pageant was again held as was the unveiling of a plaque depicting the spot where Harry Butler crashed his Avro Bi-plane in 1922, sustaining injuries which later contributed to his death. The plaque was unveiled by Sir Donald Anderson the then Commonwealth Director General of Civil Aviation, who had been a resident of Minlaton during his early years. A similar Pageant was again held in August 1979.

The new Butler Memorial Building and refurbished plane were unveiled at a ceremony on Sunday 6th August, 1989, in conjunction with another commemoration Air Pageant held at the airfield near Minlaton.