From the Archives, 1978: Up, up and away... at the Birdman Rally We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss From the Archives, 1978: Up, up and away... at the Birdman Rally Flying machines made from bicycle pedals, newspapers, bamboo and self-raising flour soared briefly above the Hawkesbury River in pursuit of a $10,000 prize. By Staff reporter Normal text size on March 6, 1978. Twenty-three men in their flying machines set off to the tune of a similar name at Paradise Gardens, northwest of Sydney, yesterday in the Pepsi Birdman Rally. But a quick cool dip in the Hawkesbury River in front of hundreds of fascinated spectators, rather than a pleasant flight, was the order of the day.