Given the potential for a buyer who is also proposing to retain, and even expand, the use of the airfield, one could hardly blame Mr Johnson for giving the multi-million dollar offer serious consideration.

However, that’s just what it appears some in the Bega Valley are doing – blaming Mr Johnston.

In a letter sent to local media just before Christmas, Mr Johnston made public his intention to close down the airfield by April 2018.

He said he believed the airfield to be an asset to the Valley and outlined the many organisations that have made use of it over its 80 year history, 51 of those with Mr Johnston as its owner.

“I have paid the rates, taxes and insurance over that time. I believe the airfield to be an asset to the Valley, but I was wrong,” he wrote.

“I apologise for my property causing so much pollution from noise and aviation fuel over the shire.” 

However, other sources paint a more disturbing view of why Mr Johnston may have taken this decision.

One contact, who wished to remain anonymous, said he knew of Mr Johnston being the subject of abuse and vitriolic comments since the proposal to develop a flight school for Chinese student pilots became public.

These comments have been “from strangers and sadly long-time friends and associates as well” they said.

“Mr Johnston is not the enemy here, and his treatment to date is without cause and is not the Australian way. 

“I have met Mr Johnston on multiple occasions, and each time I see a hardworking, friendly and extremely generous man.

“Who else in these hard economic times would freely donate a significant percentage of his grazing land as a community resource while personally picking up the associated bills.

“If you have issues with the idea of this so called flying school, as it appears most of the Valley's residents do, direct your angst and outrage at those that deserve it, not Mr Johnston.

“To those of you that have indeed been the authors of this abuse, you should hang your heads in shame.”

The Frogs Hollow Flying Club, which has used the strip for more than 12 years, is unsure what the future holds for the club if the proposal gets off the ground, but previously stated no members begrudge Mr Johnston for trying to sell his land.

However, Steve Jackson, one of the proposed flight school’s most outspoken opponents in recent months, remained unimpressed after Mr Johnston’s notice to close his airfield.

“What Eric Johnson forgot to mention in his letter was that as of April 30, 2018, he intends to sign over the ownership of his airstrip to a development company for $3.5million so they can build a noisy, polluting, unsustainable development exclusively for foreigners to the total exclusion of the community,” Mr Jackson said.  

“This development will destroy the lives of hundreds of good community-minded people that have invested everything to live a peaceful life in this beautiful district – that will be the legacy of Eric Johnson and nothing else will matter.”

Clarification: An earlier version of this article could have been read to infer Mr Jackson was among the instigators of abusive comments towards Mr Johnston. This is not the case and the Bega District News regrets if that was the resulting belief by readers. 

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However, others rallied behind the legacy of Mr Johnston, pointing out it goes well beyond the potential sale of his land and its future use.

“Eric Johnston has long been a stalwart of the Bega Valley community, having personally championed many worthwhile initiatives to its benefit, including the renowned youth safety driver program RYDA,” Wallagoot’s John Richardson said.

“It is therefore very disappointing to learn that Eric has come to believe his unrivalled contribution to the community enabled by the Frogs Hollow facility has not been appreciated and that as a result, he intends to close the airfield in a few months’ time.

“It is even more disappointing that Eric could think that the community’s opposition to the proposed future use of the Frogs Hollow airfield is in any way a reflection on his past generous support for the community, when the opposite is true.”