How aviation trailblazer Deborah Lawrie defied the odds to become a pilot

Did you know that Deborah Lawrie AM was the first woman in Australia to become a pilot for a commercial airline? It wasn’t easy and only happened after a ground-breaking legal battle.

Despite being qualified, Deborah Lawrie’s applications to be a pilot were repeatedly rejected due to her gender.

In 1979, she won Australia’s first successful High Court sex discrimination case for employment, a decision that paved the way for women to get equal rights in workplaces across the country.

Deborah Lawrie made history on 22 January 1980 when she co-piloted an Ansett flight from Alice Springs to Darwin.

In light of her trailblazing efforts, last year Sydney Airport named the new flyover into the domestic airport after her.

The Deborah Lawrie Flyover has been named in recognition of her significant service to aviation and her advocacy for gender equality.

The flyover was constructed as part of the NSW government’s $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway project to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times.

The Deborah Lawrie Flyover is adorned with the Aboriginal artwork titled ‘following the glistening of the sun’ by Dennis Golding and Carmen Glynn-Braun from the Re-Right Collective, in partnership with the La Perouse elders and cultural advisors.

The 800-metre-long flyover opened to traffic in November 2023, streamlining access to the T2 and T3 domestic terminals.

Sydney Airport CEO, Scott Charlton said since the flyover opened, it’s been an everyday reminder of the trailblazer that Deborah Lawrie was.

“As Australia’s first commercial female pilot Deborah Lawrie broke the barriers for women in aviation and inspired a nation of girls and women – reminding them that they could do anything,” Mr Charlton said.

“It’s inspiring to see her piloting planes for Virgin to this day at 71 years old.

“She fought tirelessly to earn her place in the skies, and now leaves a lasting legacy with the Deborah Lawrie Flyover.”

Pilot Deborah Lawrie AM was thrilled to be honoured in such a significant way.

“If someone had said to me way back when I was 25, taking on Ansett in the High Court to become a commercial airline pilot, that one day there would be a flyover into Sydney Airport named after me, I would have thought they were mad,” said Ms Lawrie.

“I am very honoured and humbled by the incredible gesture to name this impressive flyover after me and I hope I can continue to inspire future generations of aviators.

“To me, the flyover is like a gentle descending turn onto final approach, an engineering masterpiece.

“Friends and colleagues are delighted when they hear that the flyover passes right over the top of Sir Reginald Ansett Drive.

“I’ve walked beside and been fascinated by the construction of the flyover many times on my way to work but since I found out it will carry my name, I’ve stopped to take photos.”

Watch the video of Deborah Lawrie on Sydney Airport’s Facebook page and follow for more inspiring stories.