Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent, recently met with high-flying individuals from DreamSky Aviation, Australia’s first Indigenous flight school.

“DreamSky is based at Cessnock Aerodrome and is working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to give them the chance to pursue a career in aviation,” he said.

“The Hunter region has a long association with the aviation community and it was a privilege to meet young pilots who are refining their skills at our local airport.”

“DreamSky have set their sights beyond education and are also looking to improve access to medical services in remote communities by training pilots who can provide aeromedical services.”

DreamSky Aviation Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Spicer, said Robert Wright and Buen Jacobsen, their first two students, had proven very early that they were the most suitable candidates to kick off their Indigenous Pilot Program.

“Our students and staff are very excited to be contributing to the ‘Closing the Gap’ initiative by way of improvements in education, improvements in health services and employment readiness for our nation’s first Australians,” Matthew said.

Cessnock Aerodrome is located in the vineyards area on Wine Country Drive at Pokolbin, approximately seven kilometres north of Cessnock. It is the base for a number of flying schools and aircraft maintenance operations.

Joy flights, hot air ballooning, helicopters and business/tourist charters also utilise the airport connecting visitors to the region.

Image | Buen Jacobsen, Mayor Bob Pynsent, Robert Wright