Meet Angel Marino, 18, whose first flight to Australia at seven sparked an aviation dream and led to a scholarship covering four years of tuition plus A$25,000 a year

For the uninitiated, now in its seventh year, the SYD100 Scholarship was set up to support people from underrepresented backgrounds in aviation including women and young people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

For Angel Marino, the life-changing journey began thousands of feet in the air. Her first flight was at the tender age of seven, when she traveled with her family from the Philippines to Australia. A typical childhood trip turned into the start of a dream that would eventually lead her into the world of aviation. Now 18, Marino is the 2026 Trevor Gerber SYD100 Scholarship recipient, which will allow her to turn that childhood fascination into a career. According to an online report by Sydney Airport website, Marino moved to Australia with her family in 2015. That first flight only made her more interested in airplanes and air travel. She started following aviation news, watching planes overhead and researching the many careers in the industry. Her interest grew through the Australian Air Force Cadets where she attended air shows, saw aircraft up close, and learned firsthand about aviation and flying. Currently, she is studying Aviation Management at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) on a scholarship that will pay for up to four years of full tuition and A$25,000 annually in residential fees.

A scholarship making opportunities

For the uninitiated, now in its seventh year, the SYD100 Scholarship was set up to support people from underrepresented backgrounds in aviation including women and young people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The award is more than just a monetary award for Marino. “Getting this scholarship from Sydney Airport has given me the opportunity to follow a dream I’ve had since I was a child,” she said, recalling how her first flight sparked what she calls the “aviation bug.” “I don’t see a career in any other industry,” she added.

From one generation to the next

To recognize the scholarship, Marino and her parents Marybell and Reynold were presented with a behind-the-scenes tour of Sydney Airport’s airfield. The tour was hosted by former SYD100 scholar Jessie Huynh, who is now a member of Sydney Airport’s Operations team after completing degrees in Commerce and Aviation Management at UNSW. Huynh’s trip offered Marino a real-life picture of where her own path could lead, from student to aviation pro.

Building the future of aviation

“Supporting talented young people helps create clearer pathways into the industry,” said Karen Tompkins, Group Executive Sydney Airport. The acting head of school at UNSW Aviation, Associate Professor Cheng-Lung (Richard) Wu, said the scholarship demonstrated how universities and industry can partner to increase access to aviation education and build Australia’s future talent pool. Awarded for the first time in 2020 to mark Sydney Airport’s 100th anniversary and acknowledge the contribution of former chair Trevor Gerber, the scholarship is now helping a new generation take flight – with Marino’s childhood fascination set to become the foundation of her future career.Images Courtesy: istock and Sydney Airport