By 18 he had secured his commercial pilot's licence. And at 19 he made international headlines when he became the first teenager to circumnavigate the world in a 45,000-kilometre solo flight in a single-engine aircraft.

That seven-day journey took him to 34 destinations in 15 countries on four continents and, as a result, the boy from the Far South Coast became an Australian aviation hero and is on a first-name basis with people such as Dick Smith. But when Campbell spoke to business, civic and political leaders at a black-tie event in Wollongong this week he revealed just how down-to-earth he was.

He also showed just what an ambassador he had become to young Australians.

The young commercial pilot was invited to speak at The Illawarra Connection after Illawarra Sunrise Rotary public relations officer Tony McAdam travelled to Merimbula for his book launch in August.

The Illawarra Connection also invited Campbell's parents, Lindsay and Joanne, to this week's dinner and they glowed with pride as they heard him tell the full story to a large audience for the first time.

"It's really good to be back in Wollongong near where my flight finished and started at Albion Park," Campbell said.

"To be back sharing stories with familiar faces in the place where it all happened is really exciting."

During his talk he revealed what a role model he had become.

"I'm just a typical young guy, but what I am hoping to do is share a story, one that changed my life in so many different ways ... one I hope can continue to inspire and open the eyes of people who have a challenge," he said.

Campbell said he wanted to encourage other young people and make them realise that if they have a dream anything is possible.