My name is Annabelle Carter and I am currently studying a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. I have just commenced Phase 3 of the degree whereby students are given the opportunity to spend 12 months becoming exposed to practicing medicine in a rural community. I was lucky enough to be placed in the Milton-Ulladulla hub with placements at the Milton-Ulladulla hospital and Ulladulla Medical Clinic.
Having grown up in Milton, I always endeavoured to return to the region and help replenish the medical workforce. My clinical and personal experiences have exposed to the inherent inequities facing rural towns and motivates me to become a Rural GP with training in Critical Care specialties. It is an honour to give back to the community I grew up in through delivering culturally safe care and be an active, positive influence. It has been interesting to watch the evolution of Milton over the years and I am thrilled to immerse myself in the wonderful community again.
I attended Milton Public School and Ulladulla High School with my final years spent at Frensham School in the Southern Highlands. I then moved to Sydney to study a Bachelor of Medical Science (Class I Honours in Cell Pathology) at The University of Sydney. Here I received an Education Grant from the Heart Research Institute to assist in investigating improved medical devices for the prevention of heart disease. I started studying Medicine at UOW in 2020 which has been incredibly exciting and challenging.
From a young age, I always enjoyed working in local businesses. Over the past few years, I volunteered with St John First Aid Ambulance and developed education programs with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience. I am a very active person and have been heavily engaged in local and competitive sport such as Touch Football, Netball and Basketball. Whenever I get free time, I try to get out to the ocean for a surf or swim and enjoy bush walking.
I am excited to be able to return to Milton-Ulladulla to broaden my knowledge base, experience rural medicine and stay connected thereby investing in my commitment to this wonderful community. I attribute my sense of value for community and teamwork to the incredible role models in my life, my family – my parents, Amanda & Stephen, my sister, Sally, and my brothers, Hugh & Henry.