Daniel Joinbee, Managing Director, Gunggandji Aerospace

Dr Alice Gorman Space Archaeologist at Flinders University

Alice Gorman is a space archaeologist at Flinders University, Adelaide, and a member of the Advisory Council of the Space Industry Association of Australia. Every issue she will showcase up-and-coming talent, thought leaders, and companies in the Australian space sector.

In this issue, her guest is Daniel Joinbee. Daniel Joinbee is a proud descendant of the Gunggandji Tribe (Yarrabah, QLD) and is the Managing Director of Gunggandji Aerospace. Daniel served in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller with postings to RAAF Richmond, RAAF Pearce, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Albatross and Head Quarters Joint Operation Command. Whilst providing technical and professional program and project management services, Daniel and Gunggandji Aerospace create nontraditional pathways into Aviation, Space and Emerging Industries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

1. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?

Effective leadership is key to my space work. Dr Nelson embodies the type of leader that I aspire to be. Starting Gunggandji Aerospace. Backing myself and starting my own business has been the most challenging, stressful and rewarding of professional achievements. In twelve months, we have sought out and are currently delivering:

• Program Management services to Space Command;

• Project Management services to AIR5431 Phase 3; and

• Technical Aviation Regulation Consulting services to Air Force Headquarters.

These professional consulting services have created opportunities for Gunggandji Aerospace to invest in and deliver First Nations Traineeships. Our first two trainees are placed with Jacobs Australia and we have two additional traineeship positions coming online shortly at an Aerospace Defence Prime.

2. What was the most useful subject you studied at school or university for your current career?

Maths has been the most useful subject I studied at school for both my former and current careers. It has provided me with a strong foundation in problem-solving, logical thinking, and data analysis. These skills have been invaluable in all my previous roles. As an Air Traffic Controller I calculated aircraft arrivals based off speed and distance or angular vectors to ensure procedural separation when the radar failed. Working as a business leader and now business executive, I use the same year 11 and 12 calculus skills to build financial models for tenders and forecast my company’s performance. Overall, mathematics has been a critical component of my success in all roles I’ve undertaken.

3. What are you currently reading and how does it relate to your space work?

Brendan Nelson, Of Life and Of Leadership, 2022. I was fortunate and humbled to introduce Dr Brendan Nelson, AO to the cohort of the Boeing Capability Uplift Program in November 2022. Dr Nelson introduced them to this book and noted that all royalties from its sale will be donated to Lifeline and Legacy.

Leadership is the relevance to my space work. Dr Nelson embodies the type of leader that I aspire to be like and has left me with lessons to live by. I take his leadership lessons into Gunggandji Aerospace as I strive to create nontraditional pathways into the Aerospace Domain.

4. If you went on a one-way trip to Mars tomorrow, what is the one item you couldn’t leave without and why?

My laptop. Little known fact, I’m a ten out of ten 4X grand strategy nerd. Civilisation IV, Humankind and Transport Fever 2 are my favourite strategy games. I am often in trouble for setting myself time limits for playing only to find myself deep into a diplomatic negotiation or power struggle with another civilisation at 2 o’clock in the morning! I’d get lost playing these games on the ride to Mars, so I’m hoping it would help make the time go quickly!

5. What is your vision for the future of Australian space industry?

I think Australia has a uniquely innovative space industry because it doesn’t have the same size and scale as foreign space industries. Whilst I don’t want that ‘underdog Aussie’ vibe to change, I want to see a prosperous space industry where we are making meaningful contributions to international programs and it is seen as a viable career paths for all Australians.

I want to see an Australian Astronaut that is a proud First Nations descendant in the next ten years – David Corporal, I’m looking at you – and for First Nations Australians to take up technical and professional leadership roles in the Space Industry.

Daniel Joinbee, Managing Director of Gunggandji Aerospace