SAFA Skysailor Magazine

37 March | April 2022 SKY SAILOR The State of Origin provided Catherine with the people and experiences that showed her how good flying could feel and she was grate- ful to the other pilots who attended the event. “My passion, my joy, my inspiration, my light, my laughter and my happiness was rekindled and enlivened again.” It was the State of Origin where Catherine met other female pilots whose enthusiasm was electric and their unwavering support led her to join Women with Wings. “All the beautiful women I have met as part of this group, have also been highly instrumental in facilitating my transition into my current state of being consumed by a joyful, flying addiction.” Catherine undertook a refresher clinic in May 2021, which was sponsored by Women with Wings and was perfectly timed to help her get her confidence and skills on the rise. When she returned to her hometown of Wollongong and continued her flying from Bald Hill she was pleasantly surprised by the support she received from all the other pilots, despite being away from flying for so long. She continued to fly as often as she could and soon felt a part of what she describes as ‘this wonderful collective of spectacularly diverse humans’. She was offered advice, guidance and support in abundance and soon felt a welcome part of the Fly Stanwell community. “I have never felt more held, supported, encouraged and included than I have with this eclectic bunch of misfits… I am endlessly grateful. My heart is full of love and my soul is in the clouds, soaring joyfully and buoyantly full of light – loving this new flying-life I now find myself living and it is such a blessing.” The FlyStanwell crew