ANGUS SLATTERY
EXPERIENCE
I have been a second officer on the 777 for just over a year now, with this position being my first as an employee of an airline.
BACKGROUND
Prior to 777, I was fortunate to have been selected for the Virgin Cadetship and was a course member of VA3. This training program took place in Adelaide where I lived for 13 months. Before commencement of my flight training I ran a personal and professional development program at Griffith university, while completing my undergraduate studies.
SITUATION
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RELATED INTEREST/S
I believe I could be a valuable connection for current or future cadets, and other young pilots within the Virgin Group, who may be experience difficulties with relationship upkeep due to long distance arrangements, relationship breakdowns, study/workload management as well as assistance with navigating an initial airline position, which can be incredibly daunting.
BRETT MORONEY
EXPERIENCE /
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SITUATION
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
RELATED INTEREST/S
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
ROSS VAN NIEKERK
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Having flown many different aircraft types, both locally and internationally, long and short haul, he understands the unique challenges faced by colleagues in the aviation industry.
SITUATION
He can relate to many situations that might affect his peers including commuting, command upgrade, living away from family, moving countries, raising teenage children, caring for family with unique medical issues and stressors that working in the industry can have on a marriage, amongst other things.
RELATED INTEREST/S
He is a passionate supporter of the Connect program and has a close association with other volunteer peer support organisations in his spare time. With first-hand experience of the benefits of peer support he is well equipped to assist his colleagues through difficult times.
BEN SPENCER
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I have been with Virgin since the start. First on the B737 and now the A330. Raised and educated with two bothers in Newcastle and completing B.Sc Aviation at Newcastle University. Post graduate work both in Business Administration and Aviation Safety Investigation at University of Southern California. Recently in the last 7 years the founder and director of Pilot Association Peer Group Support, backed by CIMA (Crisis Intervention Management Australia) and our own clinical psychologist.
SITUATION
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
RELATED / INTERESTS
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
TRENT JACKSON
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Joining Tiger Air in 2018, Brendan is a SYD based A320 FO. Brendan has 20 years experience in the aviation industry, 14 of those years flying in the Air Force.
SITUATION
Brendan lives in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west with his wife Naomi and dog Tigger. During his time in the Air Force, 5 of those years were long distance from his wife, so he can understand the pressures on commuters.
RELATED INTEREST/S
Brendan enjoys cycling, skiing, spending time with family / friends and is a passionate peer supporter.
BRENDAN SMITH
MICHELLE HUNTINGTON
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I obtained my commercial pilot licence in 2005 with various jobs around Australia/South Pacific before joining Virgin at the start of 2011, this being my 10th year at Virgin.
SITUATION
I spent most of my early life growing up on the Sunshine Coast surfing and involved with Surf lifesaving. I am separated with a beautiful 5 year old daughter which sees me commuting from Adelaide to Brisbane where I am based on the 737 with VAI.
RELATED INTEREST/S
I have been exposed to a number of tragedies and situations of close family and friends and, due to these circumstances and my continuous happy and positive outlook on life, I feel that I’m well equipped to be there to be able to help and support someone who finds themselves struggling to come to terms with the various situations that life inevitably presents.
CHRIS HULLEY
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
SITUATION
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
RELATED / INTERESTS
Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.Helvetica Light is an easy to read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.
JASON SEDLOCK
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Originally from the United States, I migrated to Australia to play professional basketball. After 10 seasons playing in Mt. Gambier, SA, I commenced my aviation career with the Rex Cadet program at the age of 35 and joined the VA group (Tigerair) in late 2016.
SITUATION
I’ve been married for 13 years to an Australian and we have three young children under 9 years old.
RELATED INTEREST/S
I’ve had experience with cadets and teammates dealing with performance anxiety and stress, broken relationships, team dynamics and home sickness. My brother has managed a substance abuse problem, mental health issues and traumatic injury. My dad has successfully beat bladder and prostate cancer.
WARREN MACKAY
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Commenced first flying job in 1998, I’ve been with Virgin coming on 2 years now. Previous role 15 years was within the air ambulance industry.
SITUATION
I live in Hamilton NZ with my Wife and between us we have 5 children, I have 3 children to a previous relationship, One of which now lives with me full time and the other two live with there mother in Tauranga which is a 1.5 hr drive away, this relationship ended when the children were quite young. Also for the past 9 years we have had my wife’s two grandchildren in our full time care, this came about due to the common trend of teenage pregnancy and then a parent going onto choosing to live a lifestyle not conducive to parenting, including Drug abuse.
RELATED INTEREST/S
Consequently I have some exposure/experience in each of the aspects above and the complexity these adds to life
SCOTT BAKER
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
With Virgin since 2017, flying the ATR based in Canberra, I came to VAA via general aviation. Over the years I have had a lot of difficulty launching my flying career and have been in and out of aviation over the last 20 years. Outside of flying I have worked in the health industry as a nurse in cancer care, cardiology, general practice and other community roles. My general aviation flying included two years being based at remote towns or communities of Borroloola in the NT and Weipa in north QLD and have experienced the social and family isolation that can be associated with that life, as well as the constant moving and change associated with picking a career in this field.
SITUATION
I am now happily married with two great little kids, and spend most of my time juggling career, family time and childcare.
RELATED INTEREST/S
I have met great people in Aviation but have lost best friends in fatal accidents and know how it feels. I have been involved in caring and advocacy for people with disabilities as my sister has cerebral palsy and I grew up helping her to be included in a normal adult life.
ADAM TURNER
CONNECT COORD
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Joining Virgin in 2010 Adam is a Sydney based 737 FO. A military veteran of 21 years he has completed operational tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. Adam has been involved with peer support for several years.
SITUATION
Adam lives in Wollongong on the NSW South Coast with his wife Kathy and two children Jemma (16) and Owen (14).
RELATED INTEREST/S
A huge Sydney Swans fan he loves anything red and white and has been known to get quite vocal at games sometimes needing peer support after a Swans loss!!!
MATT O'KEEFFE
CONNECT COORD
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
Matthew is a Coordinator with the Virgin Connect peer support program. He is also a founding member of the HIMS Australia Advisory Group, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for pilots. Matthew was the inaugural Welfare Director for the AFAP, a position he held until the beginning of 2020.He has made many presentations to industry on pilot peer support and has actively worked with a wide range of stakeholders including regulators, health professionals, management and peers to advance peer support. Matthew is passionate about supporting colleagues to return to flying and has over 8 years' experience as a pilot peer support volunteer.
BRETT LOELIGER
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
July 2020 will see 2 decades with Virgin for this permanent part-time Captain on B737 based in Melbourne, now entering the 60+ twilight years! A flying career spanning over 42 years (and counting!) with diversified domestic flying in Australia and extensive B737 international experience throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and most of the Asianic nations.
SITUATION
Divorced, now happily remarried, have 2 adult children and over the last year became a grandfather!
RELATED INTEREST/S
Finally, I’m an inaugural peer supporter within the AFAP Welfare and HIMS Australia programs and look forward to assisting with the Virgin Connect program.
SCOTT BAKER
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I joined Virgin 2017 on the ATR in Canberra and came up through general aviation. 2020 hit hard, between COVID-19 and administration, I lost my position as a pilot but since then have been lucky enough to join the group medical team in Brisbane. Over the years I have had a lot of difficulty launching my flying career and have been in and out of aviation over the last 20 years. Outside of flying I have worked in the health industry as a nurse in cancer care, cardiology, general practice and other community roles. My general aviation flying included two years being based at remote towns or communities of Borroloola in the NT and Weipa in north QLD and have experienced the social and family isolation that can be associated with that life, as well as the constant moving and change associated with picking a career in this field.
SITUATION
I am now happily married with two great little kids, and spend most of my time juggling career, family time and childcare.
RELATED INTEREST/S
I have met great people in Aviation but have lost best friends in fatal accidents and know how it feels. I have been involved in caring and advocacy for people with disabilities as my sister has cerebral palsy and I grew up helping her to be included in a normal adult life.
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I am a Melbourne based 737 FO and have been flying for 24 years.
SITUATION
I am currently married with a daughter and I have many different hobbies and interests which include playing the guitar and drums. I also like to keep fit and go to the gym regularly. Other interests are fast cars, boating, cooking, remote control flying and aircraft modeling.
RELATED INTEREST/S
I am passionate about mental health. Bullying is one of my pet hates which can create significant anxiety. This could lead to depression, disruption to circadian rhythms, performance and a feeling of worthlessness.
Also I feel men in general have a harder time expressing their feelings, talking or seeking help as society perceives men to be strong and resilient.
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I have been in the aviation industry for 23 years, the last 17 years with Virgin Australia.
SITUATION
Happily married with 3 beautiful primary school aged children.
RELATED INTEREST/S
It wasn’t until my children presented with learning difficulties (dyslexia) that I embraced the science and research that underpins Psychology. I have supported close family members that have faced their own challenges associated with bipolar, anxiety and depression. Whilst previously, I enjoyed boating and fishing, I find myself immersed in the science of reading (a topic that usually ends a conversation!) and am currently undertaking accreditation as a Multisensory Structured Language tutor. I hope to provide my peers with the kind of support and understanding that I needed when I was going through challenging and uncertain times.
Grant McKern
TRENT JACKSON
EXPERIENCE / BACKGROUND
I obtained my commercial pilot licence in 2005 with various jobs around Australia/South Pacific before joining Virgin at the start of 2011, this being my 10th year at Virgin.
SITUATION
I spent most of my early life growing up on the Sunshine Coast surfing and involved with Surf lifesaving. I am separated with a beautiful 5 year old daughter which sees me commuting from Adelaide to Brisbane where I am based on the 737 with VAI.
RELATED INTEREST/S
I have been exposed to a number of tragedies and situations of close family and friends and, due to these circumstances and my continuous happy and positive outlook on life, I feel that I’m well equipped to be there to be able to help and support someone who finds themselves struggling to come to terms with the various situations that life inevitably presents.