‘Found in Space: Lifting Indigenous Horizons Through Aerospace Education & the Value of Co-designed, Flexible Career Pathways’
Daniel Joinbee is a proud Gunggandji man, a descendant of the Gunggandji people of Yarrabah, Far North Queensland, and the Founder and Managing Director of Gunggandji Aerospace – Australia’s first and only 100% Aboriginal and veteran-owned aerospace consultancy.
His Raising Horizons program reaches First Nations students in Years 7 to 12 across 29 remote communities in Far North Queensland. It was recognised as Diversity Initiative Program of the Year at the Australian Space Awards 2025. That program is the lived proof behind everything Daniel will share today about what co-designed, flexible career pathways actually look like in practice.
A former RAAF Air Traffic Controller and Military Search and Rescue Officer, Daniel brings over 18 years of experience across military service, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the defence industry. He holds an Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, a BSc from UNSW@ADFA, and a Diploma of Aviation – and is currently completing a Master of Applied Finance, walking the talk on lifelong learning.
His accolades include the Indigenous Space Leader of the Year 2023, Indigenous Space Business of the Year 2024, the UNSW Young Alumni Award 2025, and the Australia Day Medallion.
Daniel’s blend of military discipline, entrepreneurial leadership, and deep cultural connection to Country makes him one of Australia’s most compelling voices on building workforce pathways that actually work for the people they’re designed to serve.
