Aviation legacies inspire next generation to take flight

A student attending a NASA space program, a university aerospace technical society, and an organisation which fuels kids’ interest in aviation are just some of the recent recipients of the Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund.

It is the legacy of two distinguished South Australian brothers, Captain Sir Ross Smith and his brother Lieutenant Sir Keith Smith, who made history more than a century ago by flying from England to Australia in just 28 days.

Last year it supported young South Australian Isabella McCulloch to spend months studying at the International Space University’s Space Studies Program hosted by Rice University and NASA in Houston, Texas.

The astrophysicist, who works at the Australian Space Agency, attended alongside 150 other space professionals and was one of only six Australians selected for the intensive program.

“This program is not for the faint-hearted but seeing behind the scenes at NASA and learning alongside industry experts made every bit of the lack of sleep worthwhile,” she said.

The Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund was established nearly four decades ago by Sir Keith Smith’s widow, Lady (Anita) Smith, to advance the science of aeronautics and of education in South Australia.

Its wide remit also allows it to support organisations such as the Mid North Christian College for its Aviation Course, which supports students pursuing a career in aeronautic and aviation, and the annual Australian Air League, which encourages an interest in aviation as a career or hobby for children aged from eight years old and up.

“Our donation is the key to their annual program which provide children with flying experiences,” says Equity Trustees trustee representative Natalie Chan-Lei.

Aeronautics research is also included in the Fund’s philanthropic support through organisations such as Adelaide University Design, Build, Fly (AUDBF), which offers university students the opportunity to engage in hands-on aeronautical projects.

The grant has allowed them to reach more than 100 university students last year, as well as participate in the 28th Annual Design, Build, Fly competition, with a seven-person AUDBF team sent to the United States to compete.

“Throughout the competition, AUDBF members explored and developed innovative new design and manufacturing processes, all of which would not have been possible without the support of the Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund.”

The Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund is one of two aviation-focused trusts managed by Equity Trustees.

The Sir Reginald Ansett Scholarship – R.M. Ansett Trust has a more specific remit – to give scholarships to students studying for a Bachelor degree of Aviation at Swinburne University of Technology.

Students Andy Doan and Darcy James Cox were the most recent recipients while Edward Quinlan was the 2023 recipient.

“Upon receiving the scholarship, I felt a mix of absolute elation and relief,” Edward said in Swinburne’s 2023 scholarships report.

“After a very tough few years of financial uncertainty and difficulty with my father’s illness, reading the email of acceptance was a massive breath of fresh air and provided a sense of a change in luck.

“To continue receiving the Sir Reginald Ansett scholarship means a continuing feeling of stability as I move through my final semester of studies in aviation.”