About Us

The Australian Youth Aerospace Association (AYAA) is a not-for-profit organisation managed by student volunteers and young professionals, who have the objective of promoting education, awareness and involvement in the aerospace industry to young Australians.

AYAA hosts two major annual events, the Australian Youth Aerospace Forum (AYAF) for high school students, and the Aerospace Futures conference (AF) for undergraduate and postgraduate university students. AYAA also operates AeroDesign which facilitates hands on aerospace projects for students and runs local events in each state to further expose students to the aerospace industry and facilitate networking among peers.

Craig Hattersley - President

Craig graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering in 2010 and is currently employed as a Control Systems Engineer with a local systems integrator.

Peter Blyton - Vice President

Peter Blyton is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer currently working for an engineering consultancy in Brisbane. His involvement with AYAA began in 2010 when he attended the inaugural Aerospace Futures conference. Peter has previously been appointed as the Queensland Vice President and IT Officer of the AYAA, and is currently Vice President of the Association.

Alexander Bowen-Rotsaert - Secretary

Alexander is currently in his final year of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at The University of Queensland. He has always had a keen interest in the aerospace industry having participated in the Australian Space Design Competition during high school and competed in the United States on two occasions.

Mohammad Othman - Treasurer

Mohammad is a graduate of RMIT University, where he completed Bachelors of Aerospace Engineering and Business Management. Mohammad attended the inaugural AYAA Aerospace Futures conference in 2010, and has been heavily involved with the organisation ever since, having been a part of the Aerospace Futures committee the year after, and is now in his second term as Treasurer.

Jessica Orr - QLD State Representative and AYAF Brisbane Vice Chair

Jessica Orr is in her third year of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The University of Queensland. She has been involved in AYAA since attending AYAF as a student in 2009/2010, then as a group leader in 2011. In 2012 she was Treasurer for AYAF Brisbane. This year she is Co-Chair for AYAF Brisbane and is currently completing work experience at Australian Aerospace.

Eren Gorur - NSW State Representative

Eren is currently completing his fourth year of a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of New South Wales. His main interests lie in aircraft and space transport systems in both civil and military applications.

Shivani Patel - VIC State Representative

Shivani is currently in her fourth year of a double degree in Aerospace Engineering and Commerce at Monash University. Shivani has been fascinated by space from a young age, and became involved with AYAA after attending Aerospace Futures as a delegate in 2012.

Akshay Malde - WA State Representative

Akshay is currently in his third year of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Since a very young age, he has always been fascinated and intrigued by flight and space travel and all the adventures it could bring to mankind.

Jack Yeh - PR Officer