Learning to fly is something many aspire to and being able to help make that dream a reality for three deserving young people was a proud moment for RAAFA.
Receiving over 30 applicants for the revitalized 2022 Swetman Aviation Education Fellowship, Division Councillor, Charles Page said, “we set out to make this a huge success to ensure the Fellowship’s viability. Our aim was to inspire the younger generation, but with their deep passion, determination and resilience, they have inspired us.”
The award included early-bird prizes and short list prizes of either a flight or simulator which were awarded to nine enthusiastic applicants.
First prize
The first prize of $5,000 was awarded to Dylan Wilson, an Army cadet sergeant from Busselton, with the ambition to attend ADFA and qualify as a RAAF fast jet pilot.
Dylan became interested in flying at the age of ten and has set his sights on attending ADFA, attaining a BSc and qualifying as a pilot. He is also interested in the Space program. Meanwhile he is an active member of the Busselton Aero Club, and has passed his pre-solo flight exam, and is working towards his Restricted Private Pilot’s Licence.
The Selection Panel were most impressed with the resilience and determination Dylan has shown. He has been the recipient of both the Young Carer of the Year Award and Lions Club International Children of Courage Award. His strong focus on a career in aviation, and his deep passion for flying shone through. In a very strong field of candidates, he was the unanimous choice for First Prize.
On Sunday, 14 May SQNLDR Paul Falconer-West RAAF Ret’d took Dylan on his award flight in the Pearce Flying Club Piper Cherokee Warrior II, PA28-161, VH-FES. Departing Jandakot on a route that included Fremantle, Hillarys Boat Harbour, returning to Jandakot.
With the help of the Swetman Fellowship, Dylan has recently gone solo at Busselton Aero Club. We are so happy to have helped him achieve one of his life goals.
Second prize
Second Prize of $2,000 was awarded to Eduardo Paolucci, a 7 Wing AAFC SGT, attending an aviation course at Greenwood College.
Edoardo’s love of aviation stemmed from attending air shows in Italy with his grandfather, and from the age of three, he knew he wanted to be a pilot. When asked why he was so passionate about flying, he said, ‘I find beauty, peace and inspiration in aviation’ and went on to say, ‘winning the Scholarship would be a massive help and a leap forward in my dream of becoming a pilot’.
He has commenced the application process for ADFA, with the aim to become a fast jet pilot on Super Hornets or F35s.
Third prize
Third Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Indiana Baines, a young lady with a passion for flying. Originally from Broome, she is now attending an aviation course at Kent Street SHS.
Indiana’s interest in aviation was sparked by a RAAF and RFDS Open Day at Broome Airport. She then decided to move to Perth so she could study aviation at Kent Street Senior High School. Her ambition is to attend ADFA, achieve a BSc, and gain her wings.
Despite attending 14 different schools, Indiana has thrived at Kent Street SHS and has joined ‘Follow the Dream’, and the ‘Homework Club’. She has recently been accepted into the CSIRO Young Indigenous Women in STEM.
All applicants have shown a strong passion and focus for Aviation Education.
The Leadership Award 2023 for No.7 Wing – Australian Air Force Cadets is now being launched on the RAAFA WA website. The prize is $1,000 plus two months paid work experience. There is also a bonus prize of $1,000 for the winning cadet’s squadron. Closing date is 30 August 2023.
The McIntosh Memorial Scholarship 2023 is due to be launched in July 2023.
Photos:
I have advised the Swetman Trustees, Pres Clive Robartson, State Sec Norm Waldie, and CEO John Murray,
of the Swetman Aviation Education Fellowship results
Selectors Charles Page, Steve Dawson (ret teacher), Jim Shackleton (AAFC and All Saints educator), and reserve John Rowe (Macchi instructor)
have completed the 9 interviews of the shortlist candidates.
All were of a very high standard.
Using a weighted points system, we have scored individually, and then
combined the points. The results were unanimous.
First Prize $5,000 to Dylan Wilson, a 17 yr old Army Cadet Sgt (no AAFC in BSN) and trainee private pilot from Busselton.
Second prize $2,000 to Edoardo Paolucci, a 16 yr old born in Italy, AAFC cadet and Greenwood SHS Aviation Program.
Third Prize $1,000 to Indiana Baines, a 16 yr old indigenous female from Broome, and now enrolled in Kent St SHS Aviation Program.
All have shown a passion and focus for Aviation Education.
Biographies will shortly be available.
Images show presentation of their Shortlist Certificates. Hi res available.
A final presentation TBA.
Dylan Wilson
First Prize Winner
Swetman Aviation Education Fellowship 2022
Dylan Eli Wilson is a very mature 17 year old, born in Subiaco, and now living in Busselton, with his single disabled mother.
He attends Cornerstone Christian College, where he is Head of House which means he is a leader and role model for younger students. Dylan has had several excellence awards, came 2nd in a spelling competition, and is studying for his ATARS. He is also on the Student Leadership Council, Head of the Graphic Design group, and a member of the school’s Bushranger Cadets.
Dylan is also a Cadet Sergeant in the Australian Army Cadets 511ACU Busselton, there being no AAFC in Busselton. He regularly attends camps, commemoration ceremonies, parades and rifle shooting. In 2021 he won the most Improved Cadet of the Year Award.
For his extra-curricular activities, Dylan was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, and is working towards his Gold. He also attends gym, and volunteers in the Busselton Iron Man contest.
Dylan has for many years, helped to care for his disabled mother, and has assisted with her furniture finishing business. In 2013 he won the Young Carer of the Year Award, and in 2021 he won the Lions Club International Children of Courage Award.
To help pay for his flying lessons, Dylan has worked part time at Dominoes. He was also awarded a RAAUS Flying Scholarship. Dylan became interested in flying at the age of ten and has set his sights on attending ADFA, attaining a Bsc and qualifying as a pilot. He is also interested in the Space program. Meanwhile he is an active member of the Busselton Aero Club, and has passed his pre-solo flight exam, and is working towards his Restricted Private Pilot’s Licence.
The Selection Panel were most impressed with the resilience and determination Dylan has shown, through a difficult upbringing. He deserves every encouragement. He is strongly focused on a career in aviation, and his deep passion for flying shines through. In a very strong field of candidates, he was the unanimous choice for First Prize.
Edoardo Paolucci
Second Prize Winner
Swetman Aviation Education Fellowship 2022
Edoardo Paolucci was born in the Abruzzo region of Italy, and migrated to WA with his family in 2013 when he was seven years old. His first school was Highgate Primary, where he was placed in a special program for non-English speakers. He showed remarkable adaptability, and soon became fluent in English. After gaining his Languages Certificate he moved to Sacred Heart Primary, Highgate.
Edoardo easily caught up to his class peers, and later attended Kent Street Senior High School, where he qualified for the Aviation Specialist Program. He later transferred to Greenwood College Aviation Specialist Program. He has flown five hours in a Cessna 152.
Edoardo’s love of aviation stemmed from attending air shows in Italy with his grandfather, and from the age of three, he knew he wanted to be a pilot. When asked why he was so passionate about flying, he said, ‘I find beauty, peace and inspiration in aviation’. He went on to say, ‘Winning the Scholarship would be a massive help and a leap forward in my dream of becoming a pilot’. He has commenced the application process for ADFA, with the aim to become a fast jet pilot on Super Hornets or F35s.
In further pursuit of his ambitions, Edoardo is a Cadet Sergeant in the Australian Air Force Cadets 723 squadron. He achieved Duxed Basic and Proficiency stages, and passed his Junior NCO course with a Distinction and Senior NCO course with a Credit. He is now Assistant to the Cadet Squadron Warrant Officer, and recently was presented with the Commander’s Coin by Air Commodore Craig Heap. He also won the UAV drone racing competition. In January 2023, he was awarded a Participation Certificate in the RSL Cadet of the Year. This involved making a speech in front of an audience of 250.
In extra-curricular activities, Edoardo is a Surf Lifesaver at Alkimos and Mullaloo, and won Lifeguard of the Year. He also works part time in the family catering business.
As can be seen, Edoardo has been extremely keen and industrious. He has the passion and focus for aviation that will see him succeed. His presentation and personality were most pleasing, and he is confident, polite and very well spoken. The selectors were much impressed and his Second Prize was unanimous.
Indiana Baines
Third Prize Winner
Swetman Aviation Education Fellowship 2022
Indiana Storm Baines is a 16 year old girl with a passion for flying. She was born in Perth, but has lived in many different towns, most recently in Broome. Indiana is of Indigenous descent, as her grandmother came from the Gunai Kurnai mob in the Traralgon area of Gippsland, Victoria.
Indiana was brought up in a single parent family, and took care of her two disabled siblings, while her mother worked overtime with the Justice Department to pay for medical needs and therapies.
Indiana’s interest in aviation was sparked by an RAAF and RFDS Open Day at Broome Airport. She then decided to move to Perth so she could study aviation at Kent Street Senior High School. After sharing a flat, she was accepted as a boarder at Rotary College, Kensington.
Despite attending 14 different schools, Indiana has thrived at Kent Street SHS, achieving ‘A’ grades in Science, Aviation, English and HASS. She also joined ‘Follow the Dream’, and the ‘Homework Club’ to improve her ‘C’ Maths. Also, she has recently been accepted into the CSIRO Young Indigenous Women in STEM.
For her extra-curricular activities, Indiana is active in netball, soccer, and AFL. She is also a Surf Lifesaver at Quinns/Mindarie, where she won Under 17s Champion Girl, and saved two young children from a strong rip. Other activities include rowing and the Avon Descent. Indiana is also learning the guitar, loves reading and writing, and enjoys public speaking.
Indiana’s ambition is to attend ADFA, achieve a BSc, and gain her Wings. She has already had three Air Experience flights with Kent Street SHS, but needs financing for further lessons to take her to solo level.
The selection panel were most impressed with Indiana’s personal qualities and presentation. She has the most vibrant personality, and is extremely articulate, with a high level of maturity for a 16 year old. This young lady is marked for success, and the panel were unanimous in awarding her Third Prize.
RAAFA WA SWETMAN AVIATION EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PRIZE.
On Friday 21Apr23 SQNLDR Paul Falconer-West RAAF Ret’d flew the sixth of the shortlist winners, Pierce Newman, in the Pearce Flying Club Piper Cherokee Warrior II, PA28-161, VH-FES.
Departed Jandakot in W/V 090/5, Temperature 10 Degrees C, Cloud 2 oktas at high level. Flight was Jandakot RWY06L – Yangebup and Thomsons Lakes at 1000ft – Serpentine Airfield at 1500ft – Murray Field – Mandurah –Boatyard – Adventure World – Cleared for Visual Approach to Finals Jandakot RWY06L for a smooth landing in W/V 060/5, Temperature 17 Degrees C, Cloud 2 oktas at high level.
Pierce was absolutely delighted with the aircraft and the flight!
RAAFA WA SWETMAN AVIATION EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PRIZE
On Monday 17Apr23 SQNLDR Paul Falconer-West RAAF Ret’d flew one of the shortlist winners, Harry Sugars, in the Pearce Flying Club Piper Cherokee Warrior II, PA28-161, VH-FES.
Departed Jandakot in W/V 030/5, Temperature 13 Degrees C, Cloud 4 oktas at 2000ft. Flight was Jandakot RWY06L – Yangebup and Thomsons Lakes at 1000ft – Serpentine Airfield at 1500ft – Murray Field – Boatyard – Cleared for Visual Approach to Finals Jandakot RWY06L for a smooth crosswind landing in W/V 030/5, Temperature 16 Degrees C, Cloud 4 oktas at 2000ft.
Harry appreciated this morning's experience and the performance of the Cherokee as he is training for his helicopter CPL on a Robinson R22.
He has also seen the Robinson R22 at the RAAFA WA Aviation Heritage Museum!
RAAFA WA SWETMAN AVIATION EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PRIZE
On EASTER SUNDAY, 09Apr23, SQNLDR Paul Falconer-West RAAF Ret’d flew one of the shortlist winners, Corey McCan in the Pearce Flying Club Piper Cherokee Warrior II, PA28-161, VH-FES.
Visited RAAF Pearce and Muchea Air Weapons Range today at 1500ft! Included a RAAF Pearce history for Corey. He was surprised it has been operational since 1938.
Departed Jandakot in W/V 120-190/8(Xwind 8kts and Tailwind 2kts), Temperature 18 Degrees C, Cloud 4 oktas at 1500ft. Flight was Jandakot RWY24R – Fremantle at 1500ft – Mullaloo Point – RAAF Pearce – Muchea Air Weapons Range – Ocean Reef Marina – Fremantle – Powerhouse – Adventure World – Cleared for a Visual Approach for Final on Jandakot RWY12. Crosswind landing in W/V 100-180/8, Temperature 20 Degrees C, Cloud 4 oktas at 1800ft.
dwilson Selector Steve Dawson, Coordinator Charles Page, 1st Prize Winner Dylan Wilson, Selector John Rowe
dylan_wilson Steve Dawson, Charles Page, 1st Prize Winner Dylan Wilson, John Rowe
Dylan_Wilson_First Dylan Wilson, 1st Prize Winner
edoardo_paolucci John Rowe, Steve Dawson, Mr Paolucci, Charles Page, 2nd Prize Winner Edoardo Paolucci, Mrs Emanuela Paolucci
edoardo_paolucci_Second Edoardo Paolucci, 2nd Prize Winner
ep John Rowe, Mr Paolucci, Charles Page, 2nd Prize Winner Edoardo Paolucci, Mrs Emanuela Paolucci, Steve Dawson
ep2 Edoardo Paolucci, 2nd Prize Winner
epaolucci John Rowe, Steve Dawson, Mr Paolucci, Charles Page, 2nd Prize Winner, Edoardo Paolucci, Mrs Emanuela Paolucci
indiana John Rowe, Charles Page, 3rd Prize Winner Indiana Baines, Mrs Casey Baines, Steve Dawson
indiana_baines-Third Indiana Baines, 3rd Prize Winner