Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence VPC secondary students at the Tocumwal Aerodrome.
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“It’s just a really great opportunity, being able to learn these things as First Nations women.”
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Those were the words of one of the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence VPC secondary students who visited Tocumwal Aerodrome on Thursday, May 14 as part of ‘Australia’s first-ever Junior Aviators’ Day for Indigenous students’.
The event was hosted by the Southern Riverina Gliding Club and funded by the Victorian Soaring Association, with the aim of encouraging women and Indigenous students to consider careers in aviation.
Southern Riverina Gliding Club chief flying instructor Judy Renner said it was a “really great day”.
Ms Renner said students took part in a range of activities, including a tour of the aerodrome, aviation safety education, the opportunity to sit inside a real glider, and the use of a flight simulator brought in by the VSA.
Tocumwal Lions Club volunteers provided lunch for the students and organisers.
“I think everybody we took out was interested,” Ms Renner said.
“They learned things they had never even thought about before ... I think it’s changed people’s minds about how accessible gliding is.”
Rumbalara senior secondary teacher Melissa Schwab said programs such as the aviation day helped Indigenous students build confidence and explore new career pathways.
Ms Schwab said it was about improving accessibility, inclusivity, and students being able to see it as a “real, viable pathway”.
“Coming out to the aerodrome gives them the chance to envision themselves working in the air force, aviation or other areas of the aerospace industry,” she said.
“There is a lack of Indigenous people in aerospace, so exposing students to these opportunities is really important.
“I know that Judy has done a lot of work trying to get funding for this so that they can have more people coming out and experiencing it.”
Ms Schwab said the students had embraced the experience.
“The smiles on their faces prove it’s gone really well,” she said.
“Even if they don’t end up going into the field, it’s still about being exposed to something different.
“As a teacher, your role is to keep reminding them these opportunities are possible.”
Kady Harrison-Proctor, 17, sitting in a glider at the Junior Aviators’ Day for Indigenous students.
Photo by
Abby Green
Munarra student Zhaia Neal, 17, said the experience had opened her eyes to possible careers in aviation.
“We’ve learnt a lot of new things that we probably wouldn’t have learnt in a traditional school environment,” she said.
“Being able to come out here has been really good and everyone here has been so lovely.
“Putting First Nations people in an area where we are under-represented is making change.
“It’s just a really great opportunity, being able to learn these things as First Nations women.”
Munarra student Seianna Cooke, 17, agreed with Zhaia, describing the experience as a “privilege”.
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