Julia Mitchell inaugural Ray Stalker Memorial Award winner

On Monday 25 February at the Australian International Aerospace Congress dinner, Julia Mitchell became the inaugural Ray Stalker Memorial Award winner.

Humbled by receiving the award, Julia said that meeting Ray Stalker’s daughter and speaking to her about her father’s amazing contribution was a highlight of the evening.

“Ray was the first professor of space engineering in Australia,” Julia said. “I hope to follow his legacy and build and strengthen the space industry here in Australia, providing more jobs for Australians.”

We couldn’t be prouder of Julia. This latest award is just one of several accolades and not just within Australia. Julia spent a week in Brussels last year at the EU-Australia Leadership Forum, where she was selected as an emerging leader.

“Being in Brussels surrounded by other young and energetic professionals, MPs, academics and policymakers from both Australia and Europe was such a fantastic opportunity,” Julia said. “It was great to solidify professional relationships I had been building, not just with emerging leaders but with the senior leaders present, as well as to be given a platform to discuss my ideas  and recommendations with a wide group of people from the EU and Australia.”

The Raymond John Stalker Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Australian Aerospace Industry is an award jointly hosted by the Australian Youth Aerospace Association (AYAA) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). The award is designed to recognise exceptional young professionals in the aerospace industry for their outstanding achievements and leadership.

“I have always been passionate about space,” Julia said. “The opportunity to work on the SBAS test-bed, working with over 100 organisations to trial and have them understand the gains more precise positioning can bring to their organisations has been an exceptional experience.”