Virgin Australia and an indigenous mentoring group took a few Indigenous high school students and entertainment industry mentors to the skies to host Australia’s first mentoring session at 30,000 feet.
On board the dedicated Virgin Australia flight out of Sydney over the Land of Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the students were mentored by music industry experts, including Nat King Cole’s nephew, Lionel Cole, Busby Marou duo, Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou, Triple J National Indigenous Music Award winner in 2014, Phillip Murray aka Philly, and Channel V Presenter Danny Clayton.
The session celebrates a four-year partnership between Virgin Australia and the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), which is focused on supporting Indigenous students through high school and into university, employment or further education at the same rate as their peers.
Virgin Australia Group Executive, Danielle Keighery, who was also a mentor on the flight said Virgin Australia is passionate about supporting the next generation of Australians and maintaining our focus on youth-at-risk.
AIME is currently the biggest support provider to Indigenous high school students in Australia and is proven to transition students through school and into university and employment at rates approaching the same rate as every Australian child.
The students in Years 9 and 10 participated in the session as winners of AIME’s Got Game, an online talent competition showcasing a generation of talented Indigenous youth who want to send a message to Australia that is filled with hope, positivity and success.
The AIME’s Got Game finalists travelled across Australia to participate, representing communities in Perth, Ipswich, Ballarat, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Yeppoon, Freemantle and Helensvale.
The sky high mentoring session gave the students invaluable guidance and a confidence boost ahead of their upcoming public performance in Martin Place, Sydney at midday on Friday 5 December.
Virgin Australia crew and pilots volunteered their time for the sky high mentoring session. The flight was captained by Indigenous pilot, Kali Bellear. Support was also received from Shell through a generous donation of fuel, Sydney Airport, who waived landing fee surcharges for the event and Gate Gourmet, the on board catering for Virgin Australia.
Do you think more airlines need to adopt charitable activities like this?
