Ian Hogben

Ian is an owner, director of Goldrush Ballooning and has been part of the company since 2001. Main backgrounds include: engineering, electronics and avionics.

Currently also Operations Manager for the Australian Ballooning Federation.

Ian has been involved in hot air ballooning since 1993 and has been a commercial balloon pilot for eleven years holding license endorsements for all hot air balloon classes.

Current qualifications and ratings: Private pilot instructor and examiner, night rating, commercial instructor and Balloon Maintenance Authority.

Still enjoys private flying and sharing the flying with friends and passengers.

Stephen Kenny

Is a fire-fighter with the metropolitan fire service and has been for the last 20 years.

He joined Goldrush Ballooning 3 years ago and at that stage was a private pilot training to become a commercial pilot.

Steven has many years under his belt and qualifies as follows Flying instructor, ABF State Rep, SABAC president, CASA authorised Maintenance authority, and commercial pilot. Steve has been involved with ballooning for over 20 years. Although only flying for the last 10, he is an excellent pilot and safety conscious. 

Steven thoroughly enjoys flying over Canberra and New Zealand.

Between fire fighting shifts, enjoys flying commercially with the company.

Kevin Hill

Kevin was formerly manager of buildings and grounds at the local University in Bendigo and is now able to dedicate his full attention to ballooning.

He has been ballooning since 1999, gaining a commercial licence in 2004 and has progressed through to his class four endorsement.

Passionate about ballooning he holds a private night rating and is a private instructor.

Kevin joined the company in 2004.

Kate (Girl Wonder)

Kate manages the office functions, and in her spare time crews for her Dad, Ian and has been working around balloons for the last 15 years. Highly skilled and knowledgeable, keeps the boys in line.