Raising Horizons
Creating early pathways into aviation, aerospace, Defence, and future industries.
Helping young people see futures they may never have imagined possible.
Building aspiration.
Creating opportunity.
Expanding what feels possible.
The Gunggandji Aerospace Foundation exists to build aspiration, self-determination, and opportunity for young First Nations people, because talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should too.
Raising Horizons grew from Daniel Joinbee’s belief that young people cannot pursue possibilities they have never been able to see. If the next generation is going to shape the future of aviation, aerospace, Defence, and emerging industries, they need exposure to those worlds early, before decisions about careers and what feels possible have already been made.
Through our flagship program, Raising Horizons, we connect young people with aviation, aerospace, Defence, and other future-focused industries through practical experiences, meaningful industry engagement, and direct access to the people, workplaces, and pathways that shape those careers.
By making industries visible, accessible, and human, we help remove barriers between aspiration and opportunity, giving young people the confidence to explore futures they may never have imagined possible.
Award-Winning Program
🌟 Winner - Diversity Initiative Program of the Year, Australian Space Awards 2025
🌟 Finalist - Best Indigenous Workforce Development Program, Defence and
National Security Workforce Awards 2025
🌟 Finalist - Training and Mentorship Program of the Year, Australian Aviation
Awards 2025
Impact
🌟 200+ Students engaged
🌟 29+ remote and regional communities across our student cohort
🌟 Cairns and Townsville program hubs
🌟 22+ industry, government, and education partners
“The next person to walk on the moon is in school right now. Why can’t it be a young First Nations person?
We have to make sure young people can see those possibilities, access them and believe they belong there.”
Daniel Joinbee
Founder & Managing Director
Gunggandji Aerospace
From exposure to opportunity
Raising Horizons brings young people into real industry environments, connecting them with the people, workplaces and experiences that make future careers tangible.
Raising Horizons brings young people into real industry environments, connecting them with the people, workplaces and experiences that make future careers tangible.
Across classroom sessions, industry experiences, workshops and events, students explore the breadth of opportunities across aviation, aerospace, Defence and emerging industries, while building the confidence, knowledge and connections to understand where those opportunities could take them.
Exposure is the beginning, not the end. Where a young person discovers an interest, we work with our partners to help connect that aspiration with practical education, training, work experience and career pathways.
When possibility becomes a pathway
“A young Year 7 student recently told me he’d always liked the idea of becoming a pilot. But after taking part in Raising Horizons, he could now see a pathway where that might actually be possible. It’s the first time I’ve had a young person here tell me they aspire to become a pilot.”
Peter Cushway
Career and Transition Manager
AFL Cape York House
Impact, independently measured
Raising Horizons is built to create meaningful outcomes, not simply meaningful experiences.
The programme has been independently measured and evaluated by CSIRO, providing an evidence-based understanding of its impact and helping identify what works, where barriers remain and how the programme can continue to evolve.
This sits alongside our own baseline research with young people and industry, giving us a clear picture of both the need for Raising Horizons and the difference it is making.
Our Partners
Raising Horizons is built through collaboration. Our industry, education and community partners help open doors to real environments, experiences and pathways that no single organisation could create alone.
Interested in Supporting Raising Horizons?
Join our growing network of industry, education, government, and community partners helping create access, opportunity, and aspiration for the next generation.
Contact Us
