Abe's story

Captain Starlight is a superhero from Planet Starlight. Our team of Captain Starlights capture sick kids’ imaginations and create a positive environment, filled with fun, joy and laughter.

Drawing on their unique talents, they’re highly skilled professional performers who help sick kids through their most challenging moments. Captain Starlights are a critical part of a child’s overall care.

At University, I studied a Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) at University of Wollongong. I then worked as a performer for a bilingual children’s theatre company in Seoul, South Korea.

After returning to Sydney, I knew I wanted to continue to use my skills in performance but it was hard to find work. I ended up working in the box offices of music venues for a couple of years. It was rock’n’roll, late nights, sweaty punters and fun while it lasted.

Over time, I felt like my skills weren’t being tested. That’s when I heard about auditions for Starlight. I knew of Captain Starlight because my family’s charity of choice has always been Starlight. My sister was regularly hospitalised growing up so I knew how boring hospital can be for a child. She was never lucky enough to have crossed paths with Starlight.

When I heard there was a job where you get to act like a superhero and play it seemed too good to be true. The auditions were really specific, and I wasn’t sure I’d get the role.

When I did, it was overwhelming at first. Captains who are fresh off the red rocket have a lot to learn. There’s the mythology, hospital protocol, the technology, the Ukulele, ALL the Dad jokes and more. There is so much to learn, even after all these years.

This role is unlike anything else you’ll ever get to do. I get to work with an incredible bunch of talented people every day and we get to play. I love playing and the longer I’ve worked for the organisation, the more weird and wonderful ways I’ve got to play - from something as simple as blowing bubbles with a baby to piloting underwater drones and live broadcasting it to the Starlight Express Room at Westmead.

Something that has really benefited me along the way is the flexibility and support we get to pursue our creative careers. I know that I wouldn’t still be acting without this flexibility.

The training and support we receive is so helpful. For example, we come together from around the country for CapFest. It’s really fun and jam-packed with some of the best training I’ve ever received which is equal parts the facilitators and equal parts the Captain community. Every single person you meet over those few days has a unique set of skills and approach. It’s because of this that the role never gets old.

One highlight was being selected to do the Starlight CEO Larapinta Challenge. I’m obsessed with hiking so it was a dream come true. It was amazing to watch the sunrise with a group of people who have pushed themselves to their limits, all to make sure they raise as much as they can for Starlight’s Healthier Futures Initiative.

Trekking the Larapinta, I learnt so much about the land, about being present, about ways we can approach Reconciliation and I also learnt just how much people outside of the organisation care about what we do.

Their willingness to give and make sacrifices of time and money was humbling and a reminder not to take for granted how lucky we are to have the support we need to do what we do.

If I met someone who was thinking about joining the team, I’d tell them to do it. Don’t be afraid to fail or try to be perfect. Just make sure you’re listening and try to be present. The job isn’t always about being funny. So much of it is situational sensing.