Avalon Airshow

On Friday 4th March students from Rochester Secondary College, Echuca College, Kyabram P-12 College, Rushworth P-12 College and Cohuna Secondary College travelled to Avalon Airport to participate in a Careers and Skills in Aerospace and Aviation student information day.

This meant an early start for the day but it was certainly well worth it.  Students were introduced to a number of interesting speakers from a range of employers in the field, including Defence Materiel Organisation (who spent 10 billion each and employ 7000), QANTAS, Virgin Blue, Defence Force Recruitment and Defence, Science and Technology Office.

However, the highlight for students in the morning session was hearing from Young Ambassadors who work within the industry.  These young people talked about their career, their career pathway and the best things about their job.  This included an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer, aeronautical engineer, a Virgin Blue pilot (in fact a captain), an air traffic controller (only 22 years of age and earning $90,000 per annum), an apprentice in avionics, and finally, stunt pilot Matt Hall (who became bored with flying FA-18 Hornets and switched to flying for Red Bull!).

After the presentations, students were able to visit the many and varied displays, including hundreds of different aircraft.  Some of these were put through their paces, including the Hornets, various aircraft from the World War 2 and Matt Hall then thrilled the crowd with a series of aerobatic moves in a stunt plane.  Students arrived home late on Friday but all enjoyed the experience and it certainly opened their eyes to the many and varied careers that are available in the aviation industry.

The Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning & Employment Network arranged for the students to attend, organised transport and sourced funding for the buses from Careers in Manufacturing.

For more photos from the days go to our gallery on the website, or visit our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Campaspe-Cohuna-LLEN/180459055329225