Meet the Ipswich region’s top 20 rising stars set to lead the way
From sports stars representing the region on the world stage to musical theatre superstars, the Ipswich region is home to some incredible talented young people. Meet our top 20 rising stars.
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The Ipswich region is lucky enough to call itself home to some of the most incredible sportspeople, performers, community champions and academics, but an even prouder boast is that so many of these still haven’t graduated high school yet.
We have rounded up 20 of Ipswich’s most talented up-and-comers, be they rising stars in their chosen sport or a voice championing those of the underprivileged, these youngsters hold the future of the city in their hands.
Read their stories:
Bremer State High School Year 9 Girls Rugby Team
The 2023 Girls Rugby League Academy marks a first for Bremer State High School, and the Year 9/10 team has smashed all expectations.
In the Brisbane Broncos Schoolgirl Challenge earlier this month, the girls went undefeated across four games and are now heading into more competitions across southeast Queensland, and the schools Director of Sport, Michael Seiler said they have gone above and beyond to achieve.
“The girls have all gone to a new level of professionalism, dedication and determination this year, regularly completing extra training sessions on their own and are determined to become the best possible team they can, “ he said.
“Many of the girls hold dreams of becoming NRLW players and Bremer could not be prouder of the incredible young athletes and people they are becoming.”
The team consists of Vana Hobson, Indiana O’Dononuhue, Emere Walters, Emalini Waqairatu, Geraldine Lomas-Bonner (VC), Shynece Taylor, Shontaya Glass-Zammit, Kiarnna Cribb and Tyra Dezorzi.
Ricco Vaoa Webster
St Peter Claver College’s Social Justice Captain 2023 is no stranger to hardship, but for Ricco Vaoa Webster, this has only pushed him to achieve more in everything he does.
Ricco has spent a great deal of his life helping to care for his father, who was left paraplegic in a tragic car accident, but has continuously striven to maintain a positive mindset with everything he puts his mind to.
Despite suffering from the effects of these hardships, Ricco is an active participant both within his school community, but the wider community as an active participant in charity organisations such as St Vincent de Paul’s and Rosie’s.
He is a high-performing academic, according to his teachers, participates in most extra-curricular activities, is an ambassador of Caritas and has co-founded a mental health and wellbeing initiative at the school, alongside fellow nominee Louise Hinds.
Louise Hinds
Another St Peter Claver College student who has achieved extraordinary things in her life so far is talented artist and academic Louise Hinds.
Louise lives with a social emotional disability, and despite this often presenting her with significant challenges, she has overcome them time and again to not only achieve for herself, but also to better the lives and experiences of her peers at the college.
Louise and Ricco Vaoa Webster (mentioned above) came together this year to develop the “Mental Wellbeing Initiative” at the college alongside the school’s counselling team and art department, which aims to empower the student body to learn positive mental health and wellbeing strategies.
Izack Sinclair
Izack Sinclair has spent much of his life dedicating himself to the practice of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and also participates in freestyle wrestling.
The St Peter Claver College student has excelled in the competitive space for BJJ over the last six years, but has trained for far longer, earning him a blue belt in the sport.
Izack has competed in local, state and national championships and has won first and second place medals across the board, but nominating teacher Jacob Kavali said Izack’s talents go beyond his incredible physical skills.
“Izack was very proud to talk about his achievements while remaining humble and open to discussing, (my very basic) talking points on the subject,” he said.
“Recently, I attended a beginner’s class for jiu-jitsu and I was surprised to see Izack in attendance. He made a point to make me feel welcomed and supported while I was there.”
He is set to compete in the Freestyle Wrestling National Championship and the Queensland State and Australian National Championships for BJJ later this year.
Toby Stolberg
Year 12 student at St Peters Lutheran College Springfield, Toby Stolberg has reached new heights in her sport and her ambitions haven’t stopped there.
The incredibly talented high-jumper has big dreams of competing in the Olympics and the Diamond League Championships in the sport, but is already smashing her goals.
Toby has a personal best jump of 1.82m and represented Australia at the World Junior Track and Field Championships in Columbia, and achieved an impressive eighth place, despite competing against others far older than her.
Besides her sport, Toby aspires to become a successful business woman, with the hopes of starting her own company that focuses on empowering people to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.
William Varghese
William Varghese, 15, is a gifted Speech and Drama competitor with a passion for volunteering.
He recently received the highest total points in the state for his Grade 4 Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Speech and Drama exam, and in doing so received an invitation to perform at Brisbane’s Parliament House.
The St Peters Lutheran College Springfield student also recently completed a stint volunteering and working with street children in Nepal and is working towards his Silver Duke of Edinburgh award.
He and his brothers also volunteer with an organisation helping unhoused people in the region and he has goals to work in remote areas in Queensland to help disadvantaged people, possibly in the medical field.
Olivia Galea
Thirteen-year-old Olivia Galea is currently preparing to represent Queensland in the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships, but her ambitions stretch much further than the Sunshine State.
The year seven student at St Peter’s Lutheran College Springfield is a middle and long distance swimmer with dreams to follow in the footsteps of two of the college’s alumni — Arianne Titmus (2018) and Mollie O’Callaghan (2022), and represent the nation in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Earlier this month, Olivia won two gold and a silver medal at the 2023 Swimming Australia Age Championships, and achieved a personal best, swimming a 1500 metre freestyle in just 28 seconds.
Emily Goodlet
As a district finalist in the Lions Youth of the Year 2023, West Moreton Anglican College student Emily Goodlet strives to use her voice for good.
After winning the Fassifern Regional Final and the Rosewood Opening Round final of the competition, Emily is set to represent the Brisbane West region later this year.
The passionate debating competitor said she loves to speak in front of people to bring attention to important issues facing today’s children.
Not just a talented speaker, Emily is also a member of the College’s Firsts Football team which won the The Associated Schools Premiership this year.
Max McBain
Talented 12-year-old Max McBain wants to win gold in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the 2023 National competition and go on to compete overseas, and if his past performance is anything to go by, he is well on his way.
The Mount Marrow State School Year 6 student competed in the last two years’ Australian National Championships and received a silver and bronze medal.
This year he wants to step up his game.
But it isn’t just about competition for Max, who says he also values the friendships the sport helps him to develop and the physical benefits it has on his fitness.
Billy Smith
Not every 14-year-old can say they get As in everything, but for this year nine captain, he can boast that and more.
Billy Smith is not only credited with being a dedicated and studious academic, but his teachers have also highlighted his incredible commitment to his leadership role and bettering the culture and environment within his cohort.
He hopes to one day have a career in STEM, with the current dream being to attend the University of Queensland and to study Chemical Engineering.
Fraser Goodreid
The sky is the limit for Fraser Scott Goodreid, student at St Francis Xavier School in Goodna, who is a bona fide musical theatre powerhouse.
At only 11 years old Fraser has performed in more incredible shows than most people have seen, including most notably as Michael Banks in the major musical production of Mary Poppins in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
In 2022, he played the titular role in Oliver with Savoyards Musical Theatre Co in Wynnum and the role of Gavroche in Les Miserables with the Redcliffe Musical Theatre Society.
But Fraser earned his dancing shoes here in Ipswich, having trained at local institutions like Adrenaline Performing Arts and Fusion Arts Inc.
Outside of musical theatre, Fraser is also a talented ballet, tap and jazz performer.
Sinalofa Mulitalo
Passionate basketballer Sinalofa Mulitalo is forging her way to an incredible career in the sport and has secured herself a spot in the Bremer High Performance Academy.
Her dedication to her sport played a significant role in the team winning the CISSSA Year 7/8 Girls Basketball Competition this year and she has recently been selected to play for the Ipswich under 14 team.
She not only applies herself wholly to her own career, but also to helping other youngsters excel, and coaches and referees the sport in the school and wider community.
Tamara McPeake
Another incredible sportsperson out of Bremer High is Tamara McPeake, who has excelled in not one but two chosen sports.
Tamara was recently selected to represent the state in the under 15 hockey team and has now earned a place in the Bremer High performance Academy for her performance in Hockey and Rugby League.
Robert Nuttridge
Up-and-coming Junior golfer Robert Nuttridge is a true all-rounder.
With a strong passion and drive to perform in athletics and golf, Robert is also a high-performing academic who enjoys showing livestock.
He has recently competed Downs and South-West Regional Athletics Championships and came home with a silver and two bronze in shot put, discus and hurdles.
Dylan Elliott
After suffering a horrific break to his leg while competing in a motocross race, Dylan Elliot is ready to be back on the bike and competing again.
Despite having had two major surgeries on that leg, Dylan has persevered to regain his physical fitness, and has proved himself through gruelling enduro races and trials.
Before the accident, he had won countless races throughout Toowoomba, Kilcoy, Kingaroy, Fort Lytton and Hervey Bay and many more.
Sebastian Toms
Sebastian Toms is an incredible example of student truly ‘doing it all.’
The Ipswich Grammar School Year 11 student has an impressive resume, consisting of everything from community service to excellent academic performance to debating and photography.
He was a recent state finalist in the Lions Youth of the Year, is a member of the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council, has achieved his Bronze Duke of Ed and is now working on his silver, a photography mentor for young students and is a member of the school’s debating team.
Sebastian aspires to pursue a career in medicine, and hopes to help people long into the future.
Noah Springall
Ipswich City Council’s Young Australian of the Year 2023, Noah Springall, spends his life helping others.
Noah, 16, received the honour for his tireless efforts in not only fundraising for countless organisations and people, but also for the continued care and support he has offered to his community over the years.
Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries in a dog attack in 2008, Noah pulled through and has now raised money and collected essential supplies for victims of floods and bushfires, hospitals, cancer foundations and the RSPCA, to name a few.
Gout Gout
Record-breaking sprinter and Ipswich Grammar Student Gout Gout is almost a household name in the region, for his incredible achievements on the national stage.
Earlier this year, Gout received a commendation from Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding in recognition of his incredible record-breaking performance at the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Junior Athletics Championships.
He ran the 200 metre sprint in a jaw-dropping 20.87 seconds and in doing so broke the Australian record for under 18s.
Previously he broke the Australian under 16 record for the 100m sprint in just 10.57 seconds.
Mia Kertesz
Aspiring Paralympian Mia Kertesz is set to compete in the World Dwarf Games in Germany later this year, and hopes to bring home the gold.
Born with Achondroplasia, most commonly known as dwarfism, Mia has a huge passion for individual and team sports, and is smashing goals in athletics.
2023 marks the first year that Australia has sent a junior team to world games and says the competition is a stepping stone the 2032 Paralympics in Brisbane.
This year is the first time Australia has put forward a junior team for the world Games and said she was not about to miss what could literally be a golden opportunity.
Mia Kertesz said she dreamt of competing at the 2032 Paralympics in Brisbane and was treating the World Dwarf Games in July as a stepping stone.
Anuk Kottegoda
Anuk Kottegoda recently achieved his school’s first ever century in AIC cricket, a term which describes when a batsman achieves 100 or more runs in a single innings — an impressive feat for an 11-year-old.
The St Peter’s Lutheran College Springfield student has been playing cricket for the college since year 4 and has represented them in countless major competitions.
These have included the Queensland Representative School Sport cricket competition and district cricket competitions and he has recently been selected as a player in the Queensland team to compete in the National titles in Darwin later this year.
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