Eliza Schwab

"Yarra helped build my confidence, independence and work ethic. It also helped me to see what was important to me.”

During her school years, performing was a routine part of Eliza’s life. She belonged to the Stage School Australia music theatre company and toured and performed in 28 shows during her VCE years.

“That was a juggle, but I am all for having extra-curricular activities when you are at school because you learn to multi-task and you develop time management skills.”

“At Yarra, I always felt at home in the Drama department and around the stage. I played Mrs Bumble in Oliver one year and had to wear a fat suit because I’m tiny and she was quite a plump character. I was in Year 8 or 9 and performed a solo - scary but a great opportunity,” says Eliza.

Eliza joined Yarra Valley Grammar in Year 7 and has fond memories of the Yarra Café, her first camp to Phillip Island and the excitement of getting her first locker! 

“I remember that on Orientation Day all the girls wore side ponytails. So, on my first day, that’s how I did my hair. I still have the school photo to prove it!” she says.

Eliza had friends of different ages at school. “I was a bit of a drifter and mingled with groups from all year levels - that made me independent,” she says.

“I went to uni and got into the course I wanted but there’s more weight put on ATARs than there should be. Working hard is important and a good ATAR is great, but you can’t let the rest of the world stop.” 

At university, Eliza thought about becoming a criminal profiler but during her degree she also did a make-up course, got a part-time job in a make-up store and began posting her work on Instagram.

Demand for her make-up skills grew and a year later, Eliza opened her own Make-up Academy. She now has a successful business that employs ten people. She also launched her own make-up brush line.

“I love business and I want to grow different businesses. I give focused attention to each thing, grow that and then think ‘what’s next?’,” she says.

“COVID-19 was a hurdle. My salon had to shut but I had the brush business in the works and fast-tracked that, and I’m getting ready to turn my Academy into a registered training organisation. COVID forced me to reflect on where I’m at and where I want to go next.”

The Yarra motto remains inspirational for Eliza.

“I see it as meaning you should always look forward and look to the future – don’t look back.”