FORMER Albany resident, Aircraftman (AC) Rueben Bush, has been awarded the most outstanding student in his Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) faculty at the 17th Annual Institute Awards for Excellence in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

AC Bush was born in the region, and was originally employed as a plant operator at Albany Port until joining the RAAF in 2007.

His family comes from the Porongurups.

He is currently based at RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, as an aircraft fitter in 37 Squadron maintaining C-130J Hercules aircraft.

Both his and his wife’s immediate families still live in Albany.

AC Bush’s achievement, the Riverina Institute Aviation and Aerospace Faculty Award for Excellence, was based on outstanding academic achievement, being a positive ambassador for TAFE, and significant workplace achievement.

He completed the TAFE Plus Statement in ADF Technician Aircraft / TAFE Plus Statement in Defence Explosive Ordnance Introduction / TAFE PLUS Statement in CAMM2 for Tradespeople as part of his initial employment training for RAAF aircraft technicians.

AC Bush said he was proud to be recognised for something he loved doing.

“Joining the RAAF has given me the opportunity to be trained as an aircraft technician and simultaneously be paid to study something I love,” he said.

“The RAAF has provided me with invaluable lifelong skills, whilst at the same time ensuring job security.”

37 Squadron commanding officer Wing Commander Matt Hegarty congratulated AC Bush on his achievement.

“AC Bush’s hard work and dedication to his training and career has been acknowledged by him being awarded the most outstanding student in his faculty,” WGCDR Hegarty said.

“He has been described by his instructors at TAFE as an ‘ideal’ student, and is well known and respected by the instructional staff primarily due to his high standards, natural leadership ability and his motivation to continually provide assistance to other students experiencing difficulty.”