 In 1934, the airport was formalised with the construction of a tin hangar.In 1940, the site was resumed by the Commonwealth of Australia, and a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield known as Empire Air Training Scheme No 1 Wireless Air Gunners School was established (EATS 1 WAGS) at the Ballarat Showgrounds on 22 April 1940.The hangar already on the site was relocated to the Commonwealth Flax Mill, and four Bellman hangars and numerous "P" (personnel) Huts were erected.