UNSW Women in Aviation Update
To mark UNSW Aviation’s commitment to increasing diversity in aviation, Business Development Manager, Lorda Omeissah led the creation of a UNSW Women in Aviation program, dedicated to supporting and improving the representation of women in aviation.
A key initiative was to drive the setup of a student society dedicated to this mission. The Women in Aviation Student Society was established in March, 2025. To ensure a symbiotic and functioning relationship, it was agreed that the President of the UNSW Women in Aviation (WIASoc) club will also be Co-President of the main Aviation Society (AvSoc).
Stay tuned for the exciting work that this club will be doing both in the education sector, as well as the community sector.
We are proud to announce the 2026 WIASoc Executive Team are:
President: Yasmina El-Bureeny
Secretary: Eden Kirk
Treasurer: Bethany Hooper
Welfare Officer: Anna Kakakios
Membership Chair: Grace Salkeld
Flying Director: Kirrily Blackwell
Outreach Chair: Harmony Boonaerts
WAI Scholarship - Focus on Drones
We are proud to partner with Women in Aviation International (WAI) to offer an exclusive scholarship for high-performing female students enrolling in our Drone Program, Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems). The Scholarship provides $15,000 to cover hands-on training so graduates are well prepared to start a career with the experience and certifications that will put them ahead. This enables an opportunity to break barriers, develop cutting-edge skills, and join a global community of women shaping the future of aviation in Drone Operations & Entrepreneurship. Whether a student is passionate about aerial surveillance, emergency response, environmental monitoring, or commercial operations, our program combines hands-on flight training and research testing with industry connections to launch their career, and maybe even their own business, in uncrewed aviation. This scholarship will help shape the future of aviation with UNSW Aviation's new Drone Program putting graduates at the forefront of one of the industry's fastest-growing fields. We are proud to announce that the 2025 recipient is Tennille Lindley. You can read about what this scholarship means for Tenille here.
2025 WAI Scholarship Recipient - Tenille Lindley
Tell us a bit about your journey so far
I grew up in a small town just north of the southern highlands and went to the local primary school. There I got involved in anything I could put my hand up for, whether it was sports, leadership or fund raising for Southern Highlands Koala Sanctuary. However, I think my favourite was being a part of Scouts where we went camping on weekends and learned skills in leadership and survival skills. I finished primary school as DUX and was able to attend a partially selective high school called Elizabeth Macarthur High School (EMHS). During my time at EMHS, I helped with the school’s farm and went to shows such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show. During my senior years was when I found out about the RPAS program through an open day. From about year 8 until now, I have volunteered at the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary which is a passion of mine that has only grown since I started there.
What drew you to the Drone Program at UNSW?
During high school I was heavily involved with agriculture and took it as an elective during yr 9-10. We did a one-day drone course through that elective, and I was immediately drawn to them. When doing geography and earth and environmental science as a senior, I found many different applications for drones in a wider context and, when I attended a UNSW open day, I was immediately interested in the RPAS course and what it involved. When I did some more research on it, it was comprehensive in all components of drone use in an industry including entrepreneurship as well as operating large drones.
What does this scholarship mean for you?
The scholarship means I will have the ability to pursue my goals in the drone industry without the stress of gathering funds. It will mean that I can not only complete my practical component, but it frees me up financially, hopefully helping me to achieve my end goal of starting up a business.
Plans for the future
For the near future, I wish to get involved in geographical surveillance as it combines both my interest in the environment and my passion for drone operation. Although, this will hopefully be a starting point for me to accomplish my end goal of starting up a business in drone services.