Brisbane, QLD – Our future aviators and their teachers were celebrated today at Aviation Australia’s 2025 Aerospace Industry Education Awards (AIEA).
More than forty finalists from around Queensland were honoured in categories recognising innovation, academic achievement, leadership and inclusivity in aerospace education across fourteen categories.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates presented the first award, the Teacher Excellence Award – sponsored by Boeing Defence Australia, GE Aerospace & Northrop Grumman, congratulated all the students and the winners who received a variety of prizes, some including ‘behind the scenes’ tours and mentoring from industry partners, gift cards, scholarships and trophies or certificates recognising their achievements.
“The Aerospace Industry Education Awards shine a light on the people who have led the way as exceptional teachers or stepped up to overcome challenges in their training,” Minister Bates said.
CEO Glenn Ryan AM said the Awards shine a spotlight on students, educators and schools participating in the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Program (AGISP) who are paving the way for Australia’s future aviation and aerospace workforce.
“We are exceptionally proud of our diverse talent as well as their passion and enthusiasm to play a role in the future of Australia’s dynamic aerospace sector,” said Mr Ryan.
“Each year we see more and more young people embracing aviation and aerospace as a career pathway and this year is no exception.”
”We are grateful to our educators, schools and the industry who partner with us to champion this program. Together we’re building exciting aviation pathways that connect learning with real industry outcomes.”
Aviation Australia is a subsidiary of TAFE Queensland and proudly hosts the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools project, which is funded by the Queensland Government.
We appreciate the sponsors of the Aerospace Industry Education Awards 2025 for their role in recognising and celebrating the next generation of excellence in aerospace and aviation: Airbus, Australian Youth Aerospace Association (AYAA), Brisbane Airport, Boeing, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, GE Aerospace, Griffith University, The Honourable Company of Air Pilots – Australian Region, Northrop Grumman Australia, Qantas, Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division, TAE Aerospace, Virgin Australia and GoFly Aviation. Your generosity and support make this event possible for our Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Program each year.
A full list of 2025 winners, finalists and award categories follows:
- Teacher Excellence Award (Runner Up) – Sarah Loos, St Thomas More College, Sunnybank. Sponsored by Boeing Defence Australia, GE Aerospace & Northrop Grumman & Virgin Australia.
- Teacher Excellence Award (Winner) – Marty Hollis, St Mary’s College Toowoomba. Sponsored by Boeing Defence Australia, GE Aerospace & Northrop Grumman & Virgin Australia.
- Aviation Enterprise Award (Winner) – Harrison Medill, Iona College. Sponsored by Brisbane Airport Corporation
- Empowerment Award (2x Winners) – Chloe Beck, Indooroopilly State High School. Jacob Rowling, Iona College. Sponsored by Griffith University
- Young Aviator Award (Runner Up) – Louis Whittaker, St Mary’s College, Toowoomba. Sponsored by Aviation Australia & The Honourable Company of Air Pilots (Australian Region)
- Young Aviator Award (Winner) – Hayden Hookham, Iona College. Sponsored by Aviation Australia & The Honourable Company of Air Pilots (Australian Region)
- Young Innovator Award (Winner) – Eve Bowler, Miami State High School. Sponsored by TAE Aerospace
- Future Aerospace Award (2x Winners) – Penny Colyer, Capricornia School of Distance Education and Faith Enoka, Marsden State High School. Sponsored by Australian Youth Aerospace Association
- Year 10 Aerospace Award (Winner) – David Kennedy, Mueller College. Sponsored by GE Aerospace
- Year 11 Aerospace Award (Winner) – Jet Jackson, Benowa State High School. Sponsored by Qantas
- Year 11 Aerospace Systems Award (Runner Up) – Elloise Edwards, Mueller College. Sponsored by Airbus
- Year 11 Aerospace Systems Award (Winner) – Miranda Thomas, St Mary’s College Toowoomba. Sponsored by Airbus
- Year 12 Aerospace Systems Award (Runner Up) – Tharuli Sakya Abeyrathne, Indooroopilly State High School. Sponsored by Airbus
- Year 12 Aerospace Systems Award (Winner) – Oliver Kettridge, Coolum State High School. Sponsored by Airbus
- Year 12 Aerospace Project Award (Runner Up) – Hayden Hookham, Iona College. Sponsored by The Royal Aeronautical Society (Australian Division)
- Year 12 Aerospace Project Award (Winner) – Da Hoon Choi, Indooroopilly State High School. Sponsored by The Royal Aeronautical Society (Australian Division)
- Spirit of Boeing Award (Winner) – Bailey Buckle, St Columban’s College Caboolture. Sponsored by Boeing Defence Australia
- Female Aerospace Scholarship (Winner) – Francia Leoryn Villanueva, St Columban’s College Caboolture. Sponsored by Boeing Defence Australia
- Aeroskills Scholarship (Winner) – Alex Druce, St Mary’s College Toowoomba. Sponsored by Boeing Defence Australia
- Aerospace Gateway School of the Year (Winner) – Miami State High School. Sponsored by Civil Aviation Safety Authority
