Annabelle is pursuing her passion for working with children while chasing her dreams on the global sporting stage, with Scope's Customised Employment coaches by her side.
Growing up with a younger brother and four younger cousins, Annabelle found she was a natural with children. But she also discovered her talent for running, which has since taken her to the 2024 Paris Paralympics where she placed fourth in the 1500m T20.
Annabelle joined Customised Employment in March 2024, where she has been supported to find employment in a childcare centre in Melbourne that provides flexibility and support around her busy training schedule.
For more than a year, Annabelle has provided care to children ranging from 18 months to three years old while building her knowledge and skills to thrive in the sector.
“I’ve loved that I have a lot of support. There’s a lot of teamwork with how to look after the children, nurture them, and communicate with them. It’s really been about building relationships with my colleagues and the children."
Annabelle has been supported by Julie, Customised Employment coach, who worked with Annabelle and her family, sports coaches, and supervisors at the childcare centre to create a role that suits both her training schedule and workplace.
"It can be pretty hard sometimes. It sometimes feels like I'm in my own gym but with children that I need to look after and bend down to – but it's good," said Annabelle.
“Julie knows a lot about my running and with her supporting me by my side it makes the routine very easy and flexible."
Julie said the commitment Annabelle brings from her running shines through in her work.
"Developing that level of skill in a sport that has a lot around it – getting the body and mindset right and the demanding training schedule – has given her an excellent basis to transfer those skills in childcare," said Julie.
"She's a good negotiator with toddlers. She just has a way of understanding the children, making them feel heard and seen and keeping things flowing. She is absolutely marvelous."
Annabelle started running at a young age, following in the footsteps of her father who is a marathoner, and began training and racing more seriously in high school. She joined Inclusive Sports Training and the Old Xaverians Athletics Club where she had success in both cross country and on the track, but the 1500m soon became her focus.
“I love running long distance, it feels like meditating. When you have a tough day at school or work, running is a really great exercise…you just have to let the toughness out of you,” said Annabelle.
“How I would describe it is run consistently and feel committed and courageous.”
At the Paris Paralympics, Annabelle ran an incredible nine-second personal best to clock 4 minutes and 31 seconds in the 1500m T20, making her the current Australian record holder.
“When I looked up at the board, I thought there’s no way that could be my time – I was blown away. I felt very calm and confident looking back to that day.”
Julie said Annabelle has taken the approach of achieving personal bests (PB) in her childcare work.
"The PB is the most important thing, it doesn’t matter about anything else. Because Annabelle thinks that way, we work that way, and she will keep improving her PB in the work she does,” said Julie.
Annabelle loves to share her passion for running at work by setting up sports days and races for the children, who are equally excited to share in her achievements.
“The children and my colleagues were so excited when they heard I was selected for the Paralympics. It’s not every day they see their kindergarten teacher on the TV.”
This week, Annabelle is headed to New Delhi, India to compete in the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships. To prepare for the heat, Annabelle and her team have been heat training at the Victorian Institute of Sport and will spend her final weeks of preparation in Cairns and Dubai.
“What I’m really hoping to achieve is that I get under 4:30 and hopefully try and make it to the podium, but that’s the last thing I’m thinking about,” said Annabelle.
“I just hope I have a good experience out there because in my experience going overseas for competition can be pretty nerve wracking, but I need to try and be a role model and be the best athlete I can be.”
Annabelle shared her message for other young people with disability thinking about using Customised Employment.
“I would say express your experience and what you are good at. There’s no right or wrong way to say it, just jump in and show them what your skills are like," said Annabelle.
“When you have a disability, you shouldn’t think about it too much because you have abilities that you are good at and most passionate about.
“When you're as calm as a teacher and as fierce as an athlete, anything is possible.”
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