Following in flight paths: Swinburne aviation graduate continuing family legacy

For Ellie Webber, choosing to study Aviation at Swinburne was about more than pursuing a career in the skies; it was about continuing a family story that began decades earlier.

Her connection to the university runs deep. Ellie’s parents met while studying Aviation at Swinburne, and today, her siblings are also students. As a second-generation student to graduate from Swinburne’s Bachelor of Aviation program, Ellie represents a unique chapter in the university’s history.

“Swinburne has been part of my family’s story for decades,” she says.

“Growing up, I heard countless stories about my parents’ time here and the opportunities and skills the university gave them in their careers. Those stories inspired my own decision to study a Bachelor of Aviation, and now seeing my siblings studying here as well makes it feel like we’re continuing a family tradition.”

A family connection that spans generations

Ellie’s parents were among the earliest cohorts to complete Swinburne’s Bachelor of Aviation when the program was first introduced. Their experiences, both at university and in their early flying careers across regional Australia, became a blueprint that helped shape Ellie’s own aspirations.

Having witnessed how the university evolved across generations, Ellie says she developed a unique appreciation for her time at Swinburne.

“My parents remind me that education isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about the relationships you build, the experiences you have and the opportunities that shape your future.”

Their stories of regional flying jobs in remote communities, aviation adventures across Australia and careers with airlines including Ansett and Regional Express (Rex) ignited her passion for aviation from an early age.

“You could argue I was trained by a group of pilots on how to think from before I could walk,” she laughs.

Memories that will last a lifetime

Some of Ellie’s favourite Swinburne memories are surprisingly simple.

One of her earliest was stepping into the engineering building and riding the distinctive single-lane escalators her parents had spoken about so often.

“They had fond memories of their uniqueness and funny interactions they’d had with friends on those moving staircases,” she says.

The moment became a tangible link between her university experience and theirs.

Other memories came from hands-on learning opportunities that are a hallmark of the Bachelor of Aviation.

A day spent in Altona Meadows earning drone licences stands out as particularly significant.

“We went with a small group to learn to fly drones under the guidance of our unit convenors,” she recalls. “It was also the day my two strongest friendships from university were consolidated.”

Inspired by a life in aviation

For Ellie, aviation was never simply a career choice. It represented a lifestyle she had seen firsthand throughout her childhood.

The flexibility, travel opportunities and variety of work her parents experienced all left a lasting impression.

“The lifestyle my sisters and I were brought up in, with lots of time spent together and some amazing family holidays, was a primary factor that made me choose a career in the industry,” she says.

“I love the travel opportunities that come from the career, and the lack of a fixed week-to-week schedule keeps life interesting for me.”

That sense of adventure continues to drive her today.

Learning beyond the classroom

Reflecting on her university experience, Ellie believes some of the most valuable lessons came from outside the lecture theatre.

“University teaches you more than just the content you learn,” she says.

“The unintended consequential skills, like communication, teamwork and learning to navigate challenges with people from different backgrounds, are just as important.”

She encourages future aviation students to take full advantage of practical learning opportunities and to embrace the broader university experience.

“Some of the best memories and most valuable lessons come from the people you meet and the experiences you have outside lectures and workshops. Those experiences are just as valuable as the degree itself.”

For students following in the footsteps of family members, she offers one particularly important piece of advice.

“Honour that connection but remember that your journey is your own. Use your family connection as guidance rather than a point of comparison.”

Staying curious

The principle that continues to guide Ellie is simple: stay curious.

It is a mindset she developed at Swinburne and continues to carry into her professional life.

“I think the guiding belief is to always be willing to learn and have a go,” she says.

“Every experience and every person has something to teach you.”

Since graduating, Ellie has begun her aviation career in one of Australia’s most spectacular locations: Coral Bay in remote Western Australia.

Working as a spotter pilot over the Ningaloo Reef, she helps guide guests on wildlife experiences with manta rays, whale sharks and humpback whales. Her role also includes scenic flights and charter operations to remote destinations across northern Western Australia.

“I feel very lucky for my first job to be in such a beautiful location,” she says.

Living and working in a remote coastal community has also sparked a fascination with the marine environment and wildlife, demonstrating the variety of experiences a career in aviation can offer.

Looking ahead, Ellie hopes to one day follow more of her family’s flight path, with aspirations to work for Rex, as her mother once did, before ultimately pursuing her long-term goal of joining Qantas, like her father.

“It would be very special to pilot an aircraft alongside him one day,” she says.

For now, she credits Swinburne with giving her the confidence, skills and professional network to navigate the next stage of her journey.

“Having studied at Swinburne, I carry a quiet self-assurance that I have not only a good understanding of the industry, but the skills to apply for jobs and a talented network of people to fall back on for guidance."