Featured, Stories - August 13, 2026
Esther charts her own course
Pictured above: Esther manning the helm of the Young Endeavour.
If there’s one thing Esther has never been afraid to do, it’s dream big.
At just 18 years old, the Glenburn teenager is an accomplished artist, has flown a plane, sailed tall ships, joined the Air Force Cadets, built intricate model sailing vessels from scratch and inspired other young people with disability to follow their dreams.
So, when asked about her greatest achievement, it’s no surprise she struggles to choose just one.
After a moment’s thought, Esther settles on a recent highlight: being selected to join the iconic Young Endeavour on a 11-day voyage at sea.
“It was fun,” she said.
“The best part was climbing up the rigging.”
For Esther, the voyage was much more than an adventure. It was the culmination of years spent pursuing a passion for ships, sailing and exploration.
For her mother, Ruth, it was also a proud reminder of how far her daughter has come.
“All of her hard work has accumulated into getting on a ship,” she said.
Esther’s watercolour painting of the Young Endeavour.
Above: Watch a short feature of Esther’s adventure on the Navy Tall Ship, the Young Endeavour.
Diagnosed with autism when she was six, Esther has always seen the world a little differently and it is proving to be her greatest strength.
Growing up on a rural property surrounded by bushland, she spent hours exploring, imagining and creating. Those interests have grown into a fascination with engineering, maritime history, aviation and drone technology.
Among her many passions is building functional model tall ships, a hobby inspired by a large painting of a ship, painted by its Captain, William Stevenson in 1904. William, Esther’s great-great-great-grandfather, sailed to Australia from England, with her great-grandfather as a young deckhand.
What began as a small project quickly became something much bigger. Esther now spends countless hours researching, designing, and constructing detailed sailing ships, combining creativity, problem-solving, and technical skill.
Asked about her fascination with tall ships, she quickly answers.
“It’s one big, massive machine that is operated by a team of people,” she said.
Esther with the model ship she is building.
“I like old things. They’re stylish, unique and beautiful.”
Her love of adventure doesn’t stop at sea.
Esther was an Australian Air Force Cadet for four years, completed a year’s worth of flight training on a Cessna 150 aircraft and is exploring opportunities in drone technology and maritime applications. She is also about to start work experience with a specialist hobby store aligned with her interests, helping her develop practical skills and explore future career pathways.
Esther is a young woman driven by determination, curiosity and a willingness to challenge expectations.
“She’s an unstoppable firecracker,” Ruth said.
“If she likes something, she’ll go and get it or do it. Hello world, let me at it.”
Esther flying a Cessna 150 aircraft.
Ruth said supports from Intereach and the NDIS had played an important role in helping her daughter build confidence, develop life skills and pursue her goals.
Through NDIS funding, Esther has accessed a range of supports over the past seven years, including speech therapy, psychology, occupational therapy, and podiatry.
One of the most influential supports has been her long-term speech and pragmatic communication therapist, who has worked alongside Esther throughout her secondary school years.
For Esther, those supports have helped her better understand herself and the people around her.
For Ruth, the transformation has been remarkable.
“Coming out of her shell, just blossoming, being herself, finding herself,”
she said.
“It’s helped her grow and blossom and be strong and independent.”
Attending Croydon Community School, Esther’s learning is tailored to her interests and aspirations through the school’s Big Picture Design.
With her sights set firmly on the future, Esther continues to build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to turn her passions into a career.
Most importantly, she has embraced exactly who she is.
It’s that unique way of seeing the world that continues to propel Esther forward, whether she’s navigating the deck of a tall ship, taking to the skies or building the next model vessel in her workshop.
And for other young people living with disability, she has one simple piece of advice:
“Don’t care about what other people think. You do what you want to do.”
If you’re living with disability and looking for support to achieve your goals, contact Intereach on 1300 488 226 or visit www.intereach.com.au/service/people-with-disability/
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