The QCE Achievement Award winners for 2024 share their inspiration, goals for the future and advice to current students.
Their stories are shared with permission.
Aileen Hu
St Hilda's School (Southport)
Future plans
To commence a Bachelor’s degree at The University of Melbourne or overseas, with an interdisciplinary focus on how science interacts with society.
Career goal
To dedicate myself to making a positive change, possibly through policymaking, diplomacy or law, while integrating my love for STEM.
Inspiration
My teachers and parents have been the biggest inspiration. They taught me to challenge myself and strive to make an impact.
Tiah Kalaja
Brigidine College (Indooroopilly)
Future plans
To commence a Bachelor of Laws in 2025.
Career goal
To use my law degree to create meaningful change in the legal system, particularly in advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, and to represent my community as a proud Dunghutti, Gungalu, and Birri Gubba woman.
Inspiration
Growing up, I have been guided by passionate role models in my family who have instilled in me a deep sense of purpose. Their efforts in advocating for Indigenous rights have inspired me to pursue a career in law to make a meaningful impact.
Zara Kerin-Bird
Sunshine Coast Grammar School (Forest Glen)
Future plans
To study law at The University of Queensland and complete a diploma of French.
Career goal
To work for the United Nations, advocating for human rights.
Inspiration
My love for solving complex problems and engaging with real people drives my passion to pursue a career in law.
Parmida Darouei
Kenmore State High School
Future plans
To pursue medicine in regional Queensland and travel abroad.
Career goal
To combine clinical practice with humanitarian efforts to make a meaningful impact.
Inspiration
My parents are my greatest inspiration. Their resilience and hard work drive me to make the most of every opportunity and give my all in everything I do.
James Shin
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Future plans
To study pre-med and explore opportunities in music and science.
Career goal
To specialise in medicine, combining my artistic and scientific passions.
Inspiration
My mum taught me that it’s an honour to help others. This, combined with my love for learning, inspired me to pursue a career in medicine.
Archie Austin
Brisbane Grammar School (Brisbane)
Future plans
To study medicine at The University of Queensland and continue cross-country running.
Career goal
To graduate from medical school and pursue a specialty like surgery.
Inspiration
Medicine combines my passion for science and my desire to feel close to people in a fulfilling career.
Ellen Baek
Brisbane Girls Grammar School (Brisbane)
Future plans
To study medicine in 2025. I love science and interacting with others, making medicine the perfect fit.
Career goal
To continue training as a doctor while exploring research and public speaking.
Inspiration
I draw inspiration from my parents, who work in the health sector, and their dedication to bettering their community.
Darcy Basford
Brisbane Girls Grammar School (Brisbane)
Future plans
To study medicine and continue tutoring younger students at my school.
Career goal
To become a paediatrician, particularly focusing on surgery.
Inspiration
My biggest inspiration comes from my passion for helping people. I want to use my knowledge to improve the lives of those around me.
Max Beckmann
St Joseph's College (Brisbane)
Future plans
To study a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences and Medical Science at Australian National University.
Career goal
To creatively apply mathematics to solve medical and healthcare problems in the future.
Inspiration
My love for mathematics, inspired by mentors Cath Griffin, Brenton Gray and Tom Sprenger, drives my desire to use maths for practical and positive change in society.
Aryan Chandna
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To study a Bachelor of Actuarial Science/Mathematics at The University of New South Wales.
Career goal
To work as an actuary or quantitative trader.
Inspiration
My passion for maths and problem-solving drives my desire to pursue these career paths.
Alexander Chang
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To explore the opportunities and experiences university life has to offer.
Career goal
To actively contribute to my chosen field of study while exploring areas of interest for a future career.
Inspiration
I’m inspired by the idea of finding purpose in my career and staying driven and engaged in the long-term.
Rosalyn Cheung
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Future plans
To study dentistry at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To become a dentist.
Inspiration
I’ve always been interested in health and am intrigued by the mix of hands-on practicality and theory dentistry offers.
Aidan Chumbley
Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Buderim)
Future plans
To attend university in the United Kingdom and study physics.
Career goal
To work within academia, researching and teaching physics at a university.
Inspiration
I love the process of learning and sharing knowledge, particularly in physics, and I hope to keep learning through research.
Alex Fung
Brisbane Boys' College (Toowong)
Future plans
To study a dual Bachelor of Mathematics and Arts at The University of Queensland while gaining practical experience working in different settings.
Career goal
To work in a career that applies mathematical thinking and logic to solve real-world problems.
Inspiration
I was inspired by a YouTube video demonstrating how probability theories can help search for lost individuals, sparking my interest in applied mathematics.
Max Gao
Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane)
Future plans
To study medicine in 2025 while continuing my involvement in community service and extracurricular activities.
Career goal
To work as a clinical doctor and engage in research alongside my practice.
Inspiration
My community service experiences, such as visiting aged care facilities and running food drives, taught me the importance of kindness and inspired me to pursue medicine.
Louis Gunter
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Future plans
To study medicine in 2025.
Career goal
To begin specialised training in neurology or cardiology.
Inspiration
My family’s healthcare experiences inspired me to pursue a career where I can help others in the same way they were helped.
Junpeng Huang
Brisbane Boys' College (Toowong)
Future plans
To study Law and Commerce at The University of Sydney.
Career goal
To work in the corporate or intellectual property law field.
Inspiration
I want to contribute to society through my own efforts. I believe that as a lawyer, I can provide help and support to the vulnerable and contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Audrey Kuk
St Hilda's School (Southport)
Future plans
To study politics and economics or public policy in the United States.
Career goal
To work as an economist or policy advisor, creating valuable research.
Inspiration
I am driven by the desire to be the "legendary" relative my family speaks of.
Henry Li
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To pursue a Bachelor of Science followed by a Doctor of Medicine at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To give back to my local community while exploring rural and regional Australia.
Inspiration
I am inspired by the kindness of my local community, which encouraged me to pursue a career that allows me to give back.
Joy Lin
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Future plans
To study medicine.
Career goal
To work in healthcare, improving patient outcomes for underserved communities.
Inspiration
I’m inspired by Dinesh Palipana, a quadriplegic doctor whose resilience and advocacy for others taught me to believe in myself and pursue medicine.
Austin Liu
St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly)
Future plans
To study medicine at Monash University through the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine - direct entry.
Career goal
To complete my final years of residency in plastic surgery.
Inspiration
My motivation comes from my passion for applied sciences, lifelong teaching and learning, and a desire to better society.
Heather Mai
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To enrol in the provisional entry for medicine program at The University of Queensland while completing a licentiate diploma in violin.
Career goal
To become a surgeon after completing medical school.
Inspiration
My experience overcoming a severe illness in Grade 8 and the support of my paediatrician inspired me to pursue a career giving hope to others.
Will Monckton
St Joseph's College (Brisbane)
Future plans
To study dentistry at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To help build healthcare infrastructure for rural Australian communities.
Inspiration
My experiences living in rural areas taught me the impact of limited access to dental care, motivating me to make a difference.
Harry Naumann
Moreton Bay Boys' College (Manly West)
Future plans
To study a vertical double degree in Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Master of Engineering) at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To work in innovative research and development, designing and programming robots as a mechatronics engineer.
Inspiration
My love for STEM and encouragement from my family inspired my interest in robotics and the evolving Internet of Things.
Ellissa Nunan
Loreto College Coorparoo (Coorparoo)
Future plans
To study either a Bachelor of Commerce and Law at The University of Queensland or Commerce at The University of Melbourne.
Career goal
I am unsure where I’ll be in ten years but aim to find a career that makes me happy.
Inspiration
My goal is to simply be happy and engaged in whatever career path I choose.
Oliver Pan
Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane)
Future plans
To study a Bachelor of Medical Science at Griffith University.
Career goal
To become a medical specialist who makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Inspiration
My parents, who work hard to support our family, inspire me to use my education to give back to my community.
Sophia Rehn
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To pursue a degree in finance or economics.
Career goal
To work as a financial or economic analyst, possibly exploring actuarial science.
Inspiration
My love for analytical thinking and problem-solving motivates me to explore complex systems and make strategic decisions in this field.
Anusha Sabu
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To study economics at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To assess the potential impact of business and policy decisions through economics.
Inspiration
Studying economics in high school opened my eyes to the role of budgets in shaping people’s quality of life.
Arnav Shah
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To study medicine, possibly at The University of Queensland or Monash University.
Career goal
To specialise in immunology or orthopaedics.
Inspiration
Witnessing the positive impact of health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired me to pursue medicine.
Angus Slater
All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Future plans
To study advanced finance and economics at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To work in finance, investment banking, and eventually fund management or entrepreneurship.
Inspiration
I am motivated by my natural interest in the field.
Lachlan Wilson
The Rockhampton Grammar School (Agnes St, Rockhampton)
Future plans
To study a combined Bachelor/Master of Engineering at The University of Queensland.
Career goal
To work as an engineer and explore opportunities overseas.
Inspiration
I absolutely love maths, problem-solving, and the potential to better people’s lives. Engineering combines these passions into a meaningful pathway for me.
Andrew Xiao-Tang
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To study full-time at The University of Queensland while achieving balance and pursuing hobbies like fitness and travel.
Career goal
To contribute to innovation in the medical or engineering field, possibly through founding an organisation.
Inspiration
My religious commitment and the incredible support of my friends and family inspire me to glorify God and capitalise on my talents.
Max Yan
Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane)
Future plans
To study at the University of Cambridge or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with The University of Queensland or The University of Sydney as backup options.
Career goal
To complete a PhD in mathematics and become an assistant professor.
Inspiration
My senior specialist teacher, Ben Wasley, whose passion for teaching inspired me, motivated me to pursue a career in mathematics education at the university level.
Judy Zhang
St Hilda's School (Southport)
Future plans
To pursue a medical degree.
Career goal
To become a surgeon and possibly an author.
Inspiration
My goal is to fathom humanity, and medicine is so utterly raw in a way that aligns with this passion.
Zhanrui Zhang
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To study mathematics at university while engaging with the clubs and societies on campus.
Career goal
To contribute to academia or work in an applied mathematics field.
Inspiration
I want to continue engaging with my community through STEM learning and combining my academic interests with my career passions.
Anita Zhong
Brisbane State High School
Future plans
To study science at university while taking time to explore hobbies.
Career goal
To discover new things in academia or pursue whatever sparks my interest.
Inspiration
I am fascinated by the unknown and driven by a desire to make more of it known.
Louise Zhong
Mount Gravatt State High School
Future plans
To study the Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Griffith University.
Career goal
To become a doctor specialising in the field of chemical pathology.
Inspiration
I was inspired by a family friend specialising in pathology, who encouraged me to pursue my passion for the field.
Hayden Zhu
Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane)
Future plans
To study a Bachelor of Biomedicine followed by a Doctor of Medicine.
Career goal
To specialise in a field that interests and fulfils me.
Inspiration
I am inspired by my hardworking parents and the support of family, friends, and teachers.
- Last updated:
- 11 December 2024
