The Grand Master's Australian Medal
Awarded to an individual, a group or organisation involved in any branch of aviation in the Australian Region or to Australian nationals abroad, who or which has made a meritorious contribution to any aviation activity, either by displaying technical excellence or by the development of a procedure or operational technique of an outstanding nature.
2023 awarded to: Qantas Group Pilot Academy
The Australian aviation industry in 2017 was facing a pilot resourced challenge at all levels for well-trained pilots. This challenge resulted in various general aviation operators unable to provide key aviation services to remote communities throughout Australia.
The Qantas Group identified the need to develop a strategic mechanism that provides pilots for Australian general aviation as charter pilots and flight instructors but also develop a talent pipeline for the nation carrier’s needs. In February 2018 the Qantas Group proposed the establishment of an ab-initio pilot training school capable of training up to 250 students and it was envisaged that the Group would partner with an established flight training organisation to set up and operate the Academy in a regional location. The Academy’s strategic aims are:
- Increasing attractiveness of a flying career for school-leavers, clearly defined career paths, support diversity and First Nations peoples in becoming pilots and generate employment, especially in regional Australia
- Providing well trained professional pilots across the Australian aviation industry in particular supporting general aviation and flight instructing
- Providing a talent pool to support the Qantas Group pilot resource needs.
Within 18 months, the Academy had opened its doors in partnership with Flight Training Adelaide at Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba. By January 2020, the Academy’s facilities were completed including state of the art flight training and learning facilities plus onsite accommodation. Students of the Academy have experiences including an allocated Qantas Group Pilot mentor; professional development program; engagement with Qantas Group Chief Pilots and Heads of Training and Checking; site visits to Qantas facilities and access to Qantas resources to support their learning. These experiences are unprecedented in the Australian aviation industry.
Despite the pandemic the Academy to date has a zero-accident record and graduated 230+ students, with over 30+ gaining employment with the Qantas Group, 100+ are employed across the Australian aviation industry through various established partnerships and 30+ employed as flight instructors. Various programs including scholarships have been implemented to support diversity with over 22% of graduates being female and 3% First Nations which is a leading industry statistic. Over the coming twelve months, 100 graduates are planned to join the Qantas Group.
For their contribution to supporting the Australian aviation industry, the Qantas Group and Flight Training Adelaide are recognised for the establishment of the Qantas Group Pilot Academy and awarded the Grand Master’s Australian Medal.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson and the Qantas Academy Team at Flight Training Adelaide receive the Grand Master's Australian Medal from the Master Captain Jonathan Legat during the Master's Tour 2023
Previous Winners:
1981/82 CSIRO Interscan Team - H C Minnett Esq, Dr D N Cooper, Dr J P Wild
1983 not awarded
1983/84 Brian Hamilton Heeps Esq
1985 not awarded
1985/86 Dr Henry Millicer
1986/87 Ingo Renner Esq
1987/88 Wg Cdr Bernard I Fernandes
1989 - 1990 not awarded
1990/91 Don M Kendell Esq
1991/92 Laurence C Gruzman Esq
1993 not awarded
1993/94 Sqn Ldr Kevin W Rushworth
1994/95 Captain Ernest A Girault
1995/96 Gary Lawson-Smith Esq
1996/97 Australian Mission Aviation Fellowship
1997/98 The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc.
1999 not awarded
1999/2000 John G Roncz & Graham Swannell
2000/01 Captain Trevor Jensen
2001/02 Bob Peake
2002/03 Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
2004 - 2006 not awarded
2006/07 C-17 Transition Team & 36 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force
2007/08 Number 92 Wing, Royal Australian Air Force
2008/09 The School of Air Warfare, Royal Australian Air Force
2009/10 816 Sqn Royal Australian Navy
2010/11 Air Mobility Control Centre RAAF
2012 not awarded
2012/13 Emergency Management Queensland - Helicopter Rescue
2013/14 Royal Australian Air Force Ageing Aircraft Systems Audit Team
2014/15 Flight Training Adelaide
2016 Temora Aviation Museum
2017 Royal Australian Air Force Aerobatic Team - The Roulettes
2018 James Eric Thurstan
2019 RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit
2020 Captain Susan Mchaffie
2021 Flt Lt Laura Ashleigh Haws RAAF
2022 Centenary Flypast Team RAAF
2023 Qantas Group Pilot Academy