Hannah Carter

“At Yarra, you can be so many different things. You can give everything a go and people support that.”

Since leaving Yarra Valley Grammar, Hannah Carter has juggled two careers. Now living in Canberra, she is a speech pathologist in acute care but she is also a talented musician and singer.

“My speech pathology work is in complex areas from ICU to general medical wards and it’s fascinating. I am always learning. Performing is my other career - I love singing and since being in Canberra I’ve been in two operas,” says Hannah.

Hannah joined Yarra in Year 7 and built on her early love of music by learning to play the flute, which she continued throughout high school.
“I played sports, I performed in ensembles and so there were lots of rehearsals, and I was a prefect. Being busy makes me tick. My friends were talented over-achievers and they were passionate and motivated and they motivated me. I remember one of my best mates and I had the same period free every Friday and we had hot chocolate Fridays where we’d debrief and chat about how we were coping with Year 12.”
After Yarra, Hannah went to the University of Melbourne to complete a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Voice. She then studied Speech Pathology – a career choice partly inspired by her experience of vocal injuries through the stresses of singing.
Hannah recovered but the healing process led her towards speech pathology - a career she hadn’t expected to pursue after school.
Being open to new directions is something that was fostered by the Yarra Spirit.
“I loved the school spirit. I wasn’t straight down the line – I wasn’t just nerdy or just a muso and I played sport and did some debating. I tried different things and I liked Yarra’s inclusive culture. It was a supportive, positive environment.”
The Yarra Spirit remained with Hannah during her university years when one of her lecturers questioned whether she could realistically pursue her two careers.
“There was a suggestion it wasn’t possible but when people say something can’t be done - it makes me want to do it. I think the key is to remember why you are doing something. My motivation to keep singing is because I like making music with other people. You always have to remember your why.”
Hannah has also held the Yarra motto close.
“Things in your life don’t crumble because one bad thing happens. It’s about looking at the bigger picture and having people around you who can help you navigate life.”