Harmony Boonaerts, a 19-year-old from Ulladulla, has been named as the recipient of the 2024 Trevor Gerber SYD100 Scholarship by Sydney Airport. The scholarship, established in 2020 to commemorate the airport’s centenary, is awarded to individuals from under-represented groups in the aviation industry. Harmony, who will begin studying Bachelor of Aviation Management at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is the third woman to receive the scholarship since its inception.
Harmony has always been fascinated by aviation, spending school holidays near Moruya Airport. “I love all things aviation; from the different types of aircraft to the atmosphere at an airport, and the feeling you get when you take off. It’s always been a passion of mine since I was a kid, and it’s a dream come true to be named the newest recipient of the SYD100 Scholarship,” she said.
The scholarship will make it possible for Harmony to pursue her studies in aviation management. “Being from a rural area, living in the city away from family and friends and completing a degree was always going to be financially challenging. The scholarship takes that stress away and means I can focus on my studies without the worry,” she explained.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton expressed the airport’s commitment to supporting diversity in the aviation industry. “Supporting under-represented groups in the aviation industry through the SYD100 scholarship is something we’re really proud of, and we’re pleased to be presenting the 2024 SYD100 Scholarship to Harmony who is our fifth recipient.”
Professor Brett Molesworth, Head of UNSW Aviation, highlighted the importance of the scholarship in providing access to underrepresented students. “The SYD100 Scholarship delivers an incredible platform that helps more students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education access a world-class education at UNSW.”
The Trevor Gerber SYD100 Scholarship aims to increase diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry, and Harmony’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
