A Sussex Inlet teenager with a passion for aviation is one of a select number of young people who will attend the Australian Youth Aerospace Forum.
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Ulladulla High School student Leroy Lidbetter is one of “15 to 20” senior students from across Australia, who has been selected to attend the five-day conference in Brisbane from July 9 to 13.
The event showcases various university and employment opportunities available to young people in the aviation or space industries after secondary school.
Mr Lidbetter said he was interested in the “aviation part” of the conference.
“There’s presentations by Boeing, Qantas, and Boeing do defence and commercial, but they also do space aircraft as well. So it's pretty much everything,” he said.
The year 11 student said he wants to be a pilot in the Navy and a career in the Navy would allow him to return and work in the region.
School visits to HMAS Albatross and presentations from defence force personnel had inspired him to pursue a career as a pilot.
“I’m actually applying for the Navy on Sunday, when I’m 16 and half years old,” he said.
“If I get in that will hopefully bring me back to the Shoalhaven and Albatross.
“That’s the goal for now.”
Mr Lidbetter said it was “pretty good” his career adviser reminded him to nominate as a representative.