Evidence of change.

Impact told through independent evaluation and the young people living it.

Why The Foundation Matters

Raising Horizons was designed in response to what young people and industry told us before the program began. In our 2025 baseline survey, all participating students had flown before, yet 1 in 4 knew little or nothing about aviation careers. Most were curious about the possibilities and recognised that family, teachers, mentors and programs all play a part in getting there.

Industry is ready, but needs practical pathways. Of eight Townsville aviation organisations surveyed, only one had an established First Nations employment strategy. All eight said they were willing to take part in Raising Horizons, pointing to resourcing, capacity and access to structured programs as the barriers. The Foundation connects the two: visibility for young people, and practical ways for industry to create opportunities.

Survey Results

Student baseline survey

At the start of the 2025 program cycle, 21 students aged 11 to 17 completed a baseline survey. They came from eight schools and a range of regional and remote communities across Far North Queensland, including Palm Island, Yarrabah, Normanton, Injinoo, Wujal Wujal and the Torres Strait. The survey recorded where students stood on awareness of aviation careers, interest in STEM, confidence and what support they felt they needed. It is the starting point from which growth will be tracked through the program.

Key stats:

  • 21 of 21 students had flown before

  • 6 of 21 knew little or nothing about aviation careers

  • 14 of 21 answered “Maybe, I need to learn more” when asked about a career in aviation, and 3 had a clear aspiration to pursue one

  • 12 of 21 believed aviation careers were accessible to First Nations people, 8 were unsure and 2 disagreed

  • Engineering, science and maths were the most popular STEM areas

  • “To help my community” was the most common career value, selected by 5 students on its own and by 9 more in combination with other values

  • Flying was the most interesting part of aviation (8 students), followed by fixing or designing (5) and managing or organising (3)

  • 7 students weren’t yet sure what they wanted from a future career

  • 17 of 21 said reaching their goals would need all of the above: family, mentors, teachers and programs

Industry survey

To understand the other side of the pathway, we surveyed eight aviation organisations in the Townsville region about their experience of First Nations employment, the challenges they face and their readiness to take part in Raising Horizons. All eight responded. The organisations are mostly small regional businesses, so the results give a grounded picture of what local industry can realistically do without support.

Key stats:

  • 8 of 8 organisations responded (100% response rate)

  • 2 of 8 had taken part in programs to increase First Nations employment, mostly one-off events rather than ongoing programs

  • 1 of 8 has an established First Nations employment strategy, 3 are developing one and 4 have none

  • 4 of 8 have never offered a traineeship, apprenticeship or other formal pathway (3 have offered traineeships and 1 an apprenticeship)

  • 1 of 8 felt it was adequately supporting First Nations employees to grow in their roles, and 3 cited capacity as the reason they weren’t

  • 5 of 8 employ fewer than 20 people

  • 2 of 8 reported no First Nations employees, and 3 reported 1–2%

  • Main barriers: difficulty accessing or partnering with programs, low awareness of opportunities, resourcing and workforce shortages, and balancing training demands with community responsibilities

  • 8 of 8 were willing to take part in Raising Horizons, with 5 very likely and 3 likely

Students are curious, community-minded and open to aviation, but many haven’t yet seen it as a career for them. Visibility and exposure are what’s missing.

Trusted by industry

  • Group Captain Stewart Dowrie, GAICD

    Royal Australian Air Force

    Raising Horizons delivers many important things to the Australian Aviation community and First Nation’s peoples. These include providing awareness of career options in Defence, Emergency Services, Corporate Aviation or the Airlines; and the broad range of Aviation training opportunities that can lead to one of the many other opportunities that exist in the sector.  Most importantly, the program delivers on the vision that an aviation career is accessible to everyone in this great country and those opportunities exist everywhere, including on Country.

  • Rick Hanlon OAM

    General Manager, AFL Cape York House Foundation

    Our partnership with the Gunggandji Aerospace Foundation reflects our shared commitment to working with our young people and their families to identify future careers and real life opportunities. Connecting young people with industry early helps build relationships and pathways to future employment, careers and wealth. We’re delighted to partner with a Foundation that shares these values.

  • Vanessa Spaans

    SPARAS Implementation Program Manager Toll Aviation (Industry partner)

    As an industry partner, I've seen first hand how Raising Horizons creates meaningful connections between young First Nations people and the world of work. The program and events brings organisations together to share the breadth of opportunities available across aviation and aerospace, allowing students to meet professionals, experience simulators, see live aircraft and hear real career stories. These experiences can spark interest in career paths that students may not have otherwise considered or may not have believed were within reach. By making these experiences accessible and showcasing what's achievable, Raising Horizons helps broaden perspectives, build confidence, and empower young First Nations people to explore pathways they can genuinely see themselves pursuing.

  • Peter Cushway

    Career and Transition Manager
    AFL Cape York House

    A young Year 7 student recently told me he’d always liked the idea of becoming a pilot. But after taking part in Raising Horizons, he could now see a pathway where that might actually be possible.

    It’s the first time I’ve had a young person here tell me they aspire to become a pilot.

Industry is willing but under-resourced. Small teams need structured, ready-to-use pathways, which The Foundation works to provide.

EVIDENCE

What the evidence shows.

The Baseline Survey reflects the perspectives of young people themselves.
The Industry Survey shows what employers need.

200+

Students Engaged

15

Events Delivered

22+

Industry & Education Partners

29

Communities Impacted

Evaluated in partnership with CSIRO.

The CSIRO have acknowledged the Gunggandji Aerospace Foundation as a valuable organisational partner. The Foundation's commitment to collecting information relating to student participation, aspirations and outcomes, and exploring approaches to strengthen data sovereignty without creating unnecessary reporting burden, has also been noted.

The Foundation is committed to engaging with the CSIRO’s Partnerships and Industry Engagement (PIE) and Impact and Evaluation Teams on-going, to build and maintain strategic partnerships that increase participation and investment in STEM. This work is underpinned by the CSIRO and Gunggandji Aerospace Foundation’s shared goals around inspiring young people and the adults who influence them.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

External recognition.

Winner

Diversity Initiative Program of the Year, Australian Space Awards 2025

Finalist

Training and Mentorship Program of the Year, Australian Aviation Awards 2025

Finalist

Best Indigenous Workforce Development Program, Defence and  National Security Workforce Awards 2025

Real people, real pathways.

  • Ellie

    From Torres Strait, Ellie finished school wanting to work as a flight attendant but wasn't sure where to start. The Foundation organised and paid for a work experience placement with Cairns Airport, Qantas and Jetstar to get around insurance barriers, which led to a job offer from Qantas.

  • Joey

    From Darnley Island, Joey took part in Raising Horizons' Cairns lessons, an Industry Tour of Cairns Airport, and Aviation on the Oval. He's now completing his second year of a Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance with Aviation Australia.

  • John

    From Yorke Island, John always liked the idea of becoming a pilot — but Raising Horizons and Aviation on the Oval were what made it feel like a real possibility for the first time.

Turning a proven pilot into something that lasts.

Qantas Regional Grant

The Gunggandji Aerospace Foundation was awarded the 2026 Qantas Regional Grant, a major validation of The Foundation’s model and approach.

Communities across Country

Young people at AFL Cape York House come from remote and regional communities across Cape York, the Torres Strait, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Northern Territory. Many travel long distances to study, and the Foundation’s work with these students means its reach extends well beyond Cairns and Townsville to the communities they call home. The map below shows some of the communities that past and present students come from.

Help extend this impact further.

SUPPORT THIS WORK

Let’s begin the conversation.

Whether you’re an individual, organisation, media outlet or industry partner, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to find out how you can be part of the Gunggandji Aerospace Foundation journey.