Graduate wildlife biologists, Aaron Mocciaro and Maggie Murphy, joined Avisure a little over six months ago. Based in Avisure’s Melbourne office, they enjoy working with a mix of Defence and civil airports.
Maggie Murphy completed a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation biology at La Trobe University. ‘It was great – there were only 36 of us and it was a really hands-on course. Over the three years, we did seven field trip subjects all around Victoria – we spent two weeks of intensive field work in the Mallee (the Murray-Sunset National Park), Falls Creek, Gippsland, Wilsons Promontory, and then would come home and write up the reports.’
Family circumstances meant Maggie could not put the skills she learned into practice immediately after graduating, but since joining Avisure earlier this year, she says she has ‘found something which is aligned with her interests. I have always enjoyed travelling by air, and pre-Covid, had visited Africa, India, Egypt and most of Southeast Asia, but hadn’t thought of wildlife and aviation. It makes perfect sense that birds (wildlife) are a major issue for aviation.’ Speaking of which, Maggie’s favourite bird species is her namesake, the magpie. ‘I’ve always loved them – they’re such smart birds, and I’m a Collingwood supporter for the same reason.’
Her favourite parts of the job are dispersal and working with data. ‘I like dispersal on the airfield – I find it really interesting being out there in that hectic, high-stake environment.’ And appealing to her scientific side, she says ‘I really like working with data – analysing, manipulating and ordering it – and would love to learn more about more advanced systems for analysis.’
‘I am the youngest of four siblings; my eldest sister is a nurse, my brother’s an electrician, and my other sister is a teacher. I always knew my career path wouldn’t be conventional, and although it took a few years, I am very happy to be in such a very different and exciting role.’
Like Maggie Murphy, Aaron Mocciaro didn’t realise aviation wildlife hazard management was ‘actually a role’, until successfully applying for a graduate biologist position with Avisure. Unlike Maggie, his first love is reptiles, the focus of his honours degree thesis at Deakin University on ‘The effects of body size and introduced predator exclusion fencing on reptile detection and occupancy’. ‘I have always worked with animals,’ and while studying, worked in biosecurity and quarantine, volunteered in conservation work with dingoes, Tasmanian devils and Leadbeater’s possums, and worked with Wildlife Victoria in their emergency call centre.
Working at Avisure ‘is a fantastic opportunity’ he says, ‘to work with a diverse variety of wildlife at unique sites. I enjoy going to new sites, seeing the wildlife they have there. I also love the land management part of the role, problem solving ecological issues’ such as how to manage vegetation which is providing habitat for feral animals such as rabbits and foxes.
The role involves both outdoor and indoor work. ‘It’s a good combination of both’, Aaron says, with desktop work and analysis keeping you on your toes.’ And it’s been eye-opening learning about aviation, with radio calls, and safe operating procedures meaning a steep, but enjoyable, learning curve.
In his spare time, Aaron keeps active by playing soccer and follows the Richmond Tigers in the AFL. ‘When I’m watching the footy on TV, in the comfort of my own home, I also enjoy knitting – blankets, and pouches for rescue kangaroo joeys.’
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