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Media ReleaseDAVID KEMP HONOURS HIGH FLYING YOUNG ACHIEVER21 January 1999 A young Northern Territory man who, at the age of 25, has already established his own air charter business was today honoured by the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp. Stefan Wood from the Darwin suburb of Larrakeyah was awarded the Commonwealth Minister for Youth Affairs’ Career Achievement Award. The award was one of seven categories announced during the Young Australian of the Year ceremony held at Parliament House. "Stefan is clearly a remarkable young man who is already an outstanding entrepreneur with the vision, drive and determination to take on and succeed in the highly competitive world of air charter," said Dr Kemp. "Although relatively brief, his career is already remarkable and I predict that he will go on to achieve whatever he sets his mind to. "Young people like Stefan and all those who were nominated are a vital part of Australia’s future. This award is one way of recognising and encouraging young people who will be the achievers and leaders of tomorrow," said Dr Kemp. "And the reality is that most young people are also achievers who strive to do their best in their studies and at work and who, like Stefan Wood, will make a real contribution to the future of the nation," said Dr Kemp. From being unemployed, Stefan has built up his successful air charter business in just three years. As well as being Chief Pilot, Stefan’s company, Northern Air Charter, now operates nine aircraft out of Darwin airport and employs seven other pilots. Writing in his nomination form, Stefan said that when he started the business, he was operating out of a spare room at home. "Within the first year I was able to put up a building at Darwin airport, despite the fact that the banks didn't want to know me," said Stefan. Mr Wood said he was grateful for the income support he initially received through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, a Federal Government scheme which helps job seekers with an idea for a business to become self-employed. "Everyone said that it couldn't be done and my family thought I was just crazy. I had no formal training and no aircraft but I had the one thing that many people lack -- the will to succeed and the desire to be successful," Stefan wrote in his entry. Stefan began flying in 1991, working three casual jobs to help fund the cost of his flying training. After flying passengers and freight for a series of remote Northern Territory stations and Aboriginal missions, Stefan decided to establish his own air charter business. Stefan's company now has an expanding client base which includes the local Aboriginal community and the British High Commissioner, numerous Northern Territory Government ministers and celebrities and tourists from interstate and overseas. According to his entry, Stefan believes, "The biggest mistake for anyone to make is to tell me something can't be done. I believe if you want to achieve something then anything is possible. I am always looking at ways to grow, be it inside or outside aviation." The Young Australian of the Year Awards cover seven categories: Science and Technology, Environment, Arts, Sport, Regional Development, Community Service and Career Achievement. One of the category winners is then selected as Young Australian of the Year. As this year's national winner of the Career Achievement Award, Stefan Wood was selected from a field of about 520 applicants from which three finalists were selected. Last year Stefan was recognised for his outstanding business and community achievements and was awarded the Young Territorian Of The Year for 1998. As the successful finalist in this year's national awards, Stefan will receive a $5,000 Commonwealth bank account and a trophy.
Media contact: Samantha Herron or Peta Lane 0412 639 754 or 02 6277 7460
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