The shameful neglect of a rare connection with Australia's aviation history in Darwin continues . It consists of the names of pioneering aviators scratched into the wall of The Victoria Hotel, where they stayed after long and dangerous flights , with an associated pictorial display . The scratchings are in a glass case in which gecko droppings and spider webs are visible, and have been for years . Little Darwin drew attention to this unsatisfactory situation years ago. At the time it also pointed out gross spelling errors in the names of countries in Darwin's war memorial and the incorrect reference to the United Nations . Slow on the uptake government and civic leaders and a sleepy media took a longtime to respond before the glaring cenotaph errors were corrected . However, the unsatisfactory situation still exists in respect of the faint, decaying aviators marks inside the glass case. If spiders and geckos can get in , so too can the air, contributing to the powdering of those messages and signatures left behind by men who turned Darwin into the gateway to Australia. An SOS should be sent to President Obama asking him if he can arrange for the next detachment of Marines that fly in to come armed with experts who can help advise on how to protect this most important link- not only with Australian aviation- but that of the globe. Darwin clearly aint up to the job. NEXT : Aviation souvenirs from Darwin's past .
