1 minute read
JUGGLING FAMILY, WORK & SELF-DOUBT
CATRIONA ROWNTREE –Journalist, TV personality
Catriona has spent much of her life jet-setting across the world as a professional TV presenter, but now it’s time for her to jump in the cockpit herself. Catriona doesn’t think she is smart enough to learn to fly, so has to overcome her own self-doubt and insecurities.
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“There is not a fibre in my being that thinks that I can do this... and I really feel physically ill. It brings up all of these vulnerabilities. I’m trying to grasp hold of other people’s faith and belief in me. I am really worried that my head is going to go to mush and not be able to take the information in.”
The women come from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities and each of them have paved their own unique pathway in aviation.
Going Solo
DANNI MAYNARD –Head of Safety, Bonza Airlines
Danni has always wanted to be involved in the aviation industry and growing up thought her only options to be in the industry were cabin crew or ancillary positions like reservations for airlines. Being from a military family, Danni struggles with the notion that her husband can go away for months at a time to help his career, leaving her to look after their children. She feels guilty when she does something similar to help in her career, based on the perception of what others may think.
“It has been quite a challenging process... I loved that it was finally happening, I was on my own and it was completely up to me. It’s like no other feeling when you go solo.”
Chasing Dreams
ZAHRA RAJABI –Afghan Refugee
Zahra joined the Afghanistan air force in the hope of becoming a military pilot. Within months she had fled the country and arrived in Australia with little English, and no support when the Afghanistan government collapsed. A group of pilots heard her story on the radio and are helping her to learn to fly. Zahra hopes are to be a light for women and children in Afghanistan and show them that women can be whatever they want as she sees little female participation or visible women from where she grew up.
