Connor Meldrum recovers from brain surgery but falls short of HSC

A Northern Rivers teen who battled through two brain operations has missed out on achieving his schooling goal but is determined to move past the setback.

Trinity College student Connor Meldrum says he is staying optimistic despite not gaining his Higher School Certificate.

Connor Meldrum has had more than his share of setbacks but has shown remarkable resilience relearning how to talk, walk and read after suffering a life-threatening brain injury.

The Trinity College Year 12 student hasn’t been able to gain his Higher School Certificate but hasn’t let that diminish his optimistic outlook.

Celebrating their senior year are (from left) Sebastian Feliu, Connor Meldrum, Amelia Murray-Prior, Bronte Clarke, Adelle Kubatka, Ivy Hoskins, Lilian Droulers and Lily Schumack.

Therapy rooms, speech pathology and rehab centres have been his playground on his road back to independence.

He was 15 when he suffered multiple skull fractures and damage to his brain in a fall from a cliff at Cape Byron in March 2019.

“I would like to have a year doing some travel with my mates, even around this area which is really beautiful,” Connor said.

“After working so hard for so long, I want a break.”

He said he wanted to take a year “to be a young person” and get a part-time job that he had been unable to do because of his fatigue and medical appointments.

“I’d like to experience that and more of the world,” he said.

“I’m very determined not to come back to school and feel like I very much need a break from the last few years.” 

After a strong recovery from his initial craniotomy, a high-density porous polyethylene material plate was inserted into Connor’s skull that mimics the properties of living bone.

His mum Kim Goodrick said her son did want to go to university.

“But we’re concerned because the first plate failed in January this year from an infection and we’re not sure why,” Ms Goodrick said.

Trinity HSC students (from left) Connor Meldrum, Luka Gregory, Ebonee Bateman, Lily Farmer, Sebastian Feliu and Kai Hanly.

Connor underwent a second surgery and now has a polished acrylic plate instead.

He said his 2019 fall and subsequent recovery had impacted his world-view, making him vigilant of a condition that will be with him for the rest of his life.

“Why I’m so determined is that I learned the hard way and I’d like to take every moment as much as I can – I don’t know if it’s the next day or 40 years and I’m going to die some day ... I don’t want to be kept behind because of something that wasn’t my fault.”

Trinity Catholic College deputy principal Jessie Smith said Connor had managed to navigate significant challenges with poise.

“This is a cohort of young adults that have had their two senior years of education messed up by the pandemic,” Mr Smith said.

“There aren’t many adults that have had that in their education experience.”

He said the most impressive trait of the class of 2021 was their remarkable resilience to stay in the game and do their personal best.

Connor Meldrum (left) celebrates with his Trinity College schoolmates Max Giese, Alex Coleman, Mitchell Mackney and Oscar Steiner.

Connor was voted by peers and staff for the school’s prestigious Marcellin Champagnat award.

“It’s about being selfless and helpful, generous and kind,” Connor said.

He acknowledged the support of all his fellow Year 12 students and school staff who backed a petition calling for him to be allowed to gain his Higher School Certificate.

The petition has gained nearly 10,000 signatures since it was launched in May.

Connor said he wanted to attend Melbourne University to study environmental science, ecology and conservation.

“I’d like to specialise in that area,” he said.

“We don’t have that much time left for our environment.”