14 May 2026
Melville Senior High School Student, Brayden Rochford, has always dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. Now, with the Minister’s Aviation Scholarship in hand, he is one step closer to achieving that goal.
Brayden when he earned his Recreational Pilot Licence.
Brayden, who loves to fly, is now in Year 12 and recently graduated from the school’s specialist aviation program.
“My dream, since I was a child, has always been to become an airline pilot,” Brayden said.
“Flying makes me feel like I can take on anything life throws at me. It also allows me to express my passion for aviation.”
The Minister's Aviation Scholarship is open to WA public school students who are enrolled in a specialist aviation program. It has been running for more than 30 years and has helped many students go on to successful careers in the aviation industry.
These programs, which aim to help students prepare for careers in aviation, science or engineering, are offered at several public schools, including Melville Senior High School, Greenwood College, Kent Street Senior High School, Kinross College and Morley Senior High School.
Brayden's interest in flying took hold early.
The aviation teachers at Melville Senior High School, where Brayden attends, are all qualified commercial pilots. Learning takes place in the classroom, in the cockpits of the school’s full-motion flight simulators and up in the skies above Jandakot airport.
“Brayden is a deserving recipient of the scholarship due to his devotion to aviation and his commitment to becoming a professional pilot,” said Melville’s teacher in charge of the aviation program, Graham McGinn.
“The funds will help him progress his flight training with our partner flight school, Flight Training Perth.”
It is the second consecutive year that a Melville Senior High School student has received the scholarship, with Aeryn Wood collecting the $5,000 award in 2025.
Brayden’s passion for flying continues to soar outside of school, too.
He has also earned his Recreational Pilot Licence and is a keen aviation photographer.
You can check out some of his photos on Instagram.