Volunteer Spotlight: Annabelle, our inspiring 16-year-old volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight: Annabelle, our inspiring 16-year-old volunteer

Some people wait until adulthood to find their purpose. Annabelle found hers in a high school classroom.  Making the world a more compassionate, empowering place.

At just 16, she’s already living it out at the Asylum Seekers Centre.

A country girl with a huge heart

When she’s not volunteering, Annabelle loves to read and write.

“I’m also passionate about children and teaching them the right ways in life.” 

That passion shows in the patience she brings to her work — especially when she’s helping someone who speaks little or no English.

“We (volunteers and staff) help each one (community members), finding ways around the language barrier”

That instinct is coupled with a fierce determination to contribute. 

Anabelle doesn’t live locally. She lives in Gunnedah, a small country town about an hour west of Tamworth in regional New South Wales — hours away from the Centre. It takes almost 6 hours for her to get to our Newtown Centre! 

It’s a genuine commitment of time and travel, made willingly, day after day, because Annabelle believes in standing with people seeking asylum and supporting them in rebuilding their lives.

How a school lesson inspired everything

Annabelle’s journey to the Centre started in a classroom.

“My inspiration to work with people seeking asylum began a couple of years ago, when my teacher did a section on refugees at school,” she explains. 

“I was captivated and wanted to know more.”

That curiosity grew. With her mum’s help, Annabelle found the Asylum Seekers Centre and arranged to complete her work experience there.

“My curiosity and compassion continues to grow as I learn more about the challenges people seeking asylum are forced to face,” she says.

A day in Annabelle’s shoes

Anabelle arrives at 10am sharp, grabs her laptop and joins the very welcoming team of volunteers manning the Every Day support desk.

From 10 am to 2:30pm , her role as a Centre Support Volunteer is hands-on. She tops up Opal cards so community members can travel to work opportunities and access other services. She also assists in recharging phone plans – a critical lifeline for those needing to contact government agencies, employment and training  prospects, and community engagement activities.

Some days also include a shared meal with other volunteers and community members. 

Annabelle calls it a “a very rewarding experience”.

One community member in particular left a lasting impression on Anabelle. It was a man who had waited ten years for a permanent visa.

“He had been waiting a shocking amount of time for a permanent visa. 10 years in fact. 

“I found this impactful, because that is such a long time to have to wait, and it is an immense handicap, as certain rules have to be followed, hindering this gentleman’s dreams and hopes.”

It is a celebration of the community member’s journey to protection, but a reminder that the critical work continues to support people seeking asylum who are still in limbo while waiting for protection.

Looking to the future

Annabelle’s hope is simple yet powerful: a future where “everyone seeking asylum can be welcomed and supported by the whole of Australia, not just a handful of people.”

Until then, she sees volunteers as essential.

“As more people volunteer, more awareness grows and more people are looking out for new Australians who need a hand.”

Learn how to volunteer at the Asylum Seekers Centre