Young women gained hands-on, practical opportunities to learn about roles available in today's Air Force at RAAF Base Edinburgh during the recent school holidays.
Through the Women in Aviation program, participants learned first-hand how resilient, resourceful and ready Air Force is, and were given an opportunity to 'test' a series of different career opportunities.
Participants spent a week experiencing Defence life at Edinburgh by sitting in aircraft cockpits, walking through unit workplaces, playing with robots and trying on specialised suits used by the Air Force.
Year 12 student Zakia said she could definitely see herself in an Air Force career after the experience and would encourage other young women so they could get an idea of what a role in Air Force was like.
"I could potentially find a career suited to me as there is such a large variety of jobs in the Air Force," Zakia said.
"Coming into this program not knowing anything about the ADF, I learnt so much more. It gave us a real idea about what being in Air Force is really like.
"Diversity is really important to me because of my South Sudanese background, and [I valued] seeing people from different cultures and backgrounds accepted here [in Air Force].
"There is so much that goes into building and flying aircraft."
Year 10 student Abigael travelled from Victoria to participate in the program and also valued the opportunity to see the role that diversity plays in a modern Defence Force.
"People with different experiences can contribute different things, meaning the Air Force is more well-rounded and can have unique views on things," she said.
"Wearing the uniform meant that I felt a part of the team. I also felt that the technical equipment gave me an insight into Defence. The equipment and aircraft were cool. There was a lot more equipment than I thought and more specialised stuff."
