UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVERS

Ten outstanding young Queenslanders were today awarded State Government scholarships worth up to $10,000 to pursue their dream careers.

Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, said the 10 TJ Ryan medal winners were from both state and non-state schools, and graduated from Year 12 last year.

“The TJ Ryan Medal is awarded annually to Year 12 graduates who achieve excellent academic results and demonstrate strong leadership in their schools and communities,” Mr Welford said.

“The recipients will receive $2000 for each successful year of a university degree course, to a maximum of five years.”

Mr Welford presented the winners with their medals and scholarships at a presentation ceremony at Parliament House today.

Five students were highly commended and received $1000 prizes to assist them with their tertiary studies. Another 17 graduates will receive certificates of merit by post.

The medal is named in honour of Thomas Joseph Ryan, who was the Premier of Queensland from 1915 to 1919 and is recognised as an outstanding leader of his time.

From 1927 to 1970, the Medal was awarded to the top student in the state’s annual scholarship examination. In 1993, it was reintroduced and continues the tradition of recognising academic excellence and student leadership.

Each secondary school in Queensland is invited to nominate one student who displays excellent leadership and academic skills to be considered for the Medal. Information provided by the Queensland Studies Authority helps the panel of state and non-state education representatives and past medallists select the winners.

“The TJ Ryan Medal supports our Government’s Smart State goals of encouraging students to pursue further studies or training after leaving school,” Mr Welford said.

“It recognises a broad cross-section of students from city and regional centres and from state and non-state schools.”

A full list of recipients is attached.

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000

2007 T.J. Ryan Medallists

Daniel Bryan-Curnow, Noosa District State High School
Melissa Cox, Loreto College, Brisbane
Zemma Holmes-Story, Rockhampton Grammar School
Holly Manley, Aldridge State High School, Maryborough
Bryce Nicol, Isis District State High School, Childers
Steffanie Pernase, Innisfail State High School
Daniel Pitt, Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane
Thomas Power, Park Ridge State High School
Damien Rua, Kelvin Grove State College
Patrick Sullivan, Padua College, Brisbane

Highly Commended Recipients

Ruth Fuhrman-Luck, Caloundra Christian College
Samantha Jones, Kirwan State High School, Townsville
Travis King, All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac
Kylah McCarthy, Proserpine State High School
Luke Pembleton, Nambour State High School

Merit Certificate Recipients 

Hannah Bennet, Clayfield College, Brisbane
Ben Brimblecombe, St George State High School
Brioni Brooker, Western Cape College, Weipa
Elanor Carey, Stanthorpe State High School
Christopher Coey, Whitsunday Anglican School, Mackay
John Fox, The Southport Independent School
Laura Handley, Bundaberg State High School
Madeleine Kelso, Mount St Bernard College, Herberton
Nathan Klose, Redlands College, Cleveland
Minitha Manivasagan, Tannum Sands State High School, Gladstone
Kathryn McClelland, Holland Park State High School
Rohani Oorloff, St John’s College, Nambour
Glen Rolley, Trinity Bay State High School, Cairns
Patrick Saunders, Marist College Ashgrove
Andrea Schaul, Mareeba State High School
Dennis Sullivan, Villanova College, South Brisbane
Annie Tong, Brisbane Girls Grammar School