Sensational siblings both dux their school with their sights on a career in medicine

The sensational Susantos — Eva and Peter — both duxed their school at the age of 15. The next step on their journey is a career in medicine to serve their community. Read the details.

Erna Tjandra, Henri Susanto, Lenny, Peter Susanto and Eva Susanto are an exceptional family. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Eva Susanto, 15, has followed in the footsteps of her 18-year-old older brother Peter Susanto, becoming the second sibling to dux Haileybury Rendall School.

The perfect pair share many similarities, both have now graduated high school at the ripe age of 15, with both pursuing a career in medicine locally in the Northern Territory.

Haileybury Rendall School principal Andrew McGregor described the distinguished duo as “exceptional students”.

“It’s not just their brilliant academic results,” Mr McGregor said.

Eva and Peter Susanto with their principal Andrew McGregor. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“But also their involvement and leadership across our school.

“Both Eva and Peter have a strong sense of social justice and strive to make the world a better place.”

The sensational siblings shared their story with this masthead, demonstrating their amazing commitment to this mission.

“Coming from Indonesia, the focus is on the village rather than the individual,” Mr Susanto said.

“Our parents encouraged us to not only work hard for ourselves, but also for the community,” Eva added.

Eva and Peter Susanto have always cared for community. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Since the siblings were very young, aged 6 and 8, they sold snacks to raise money for various charities.

“Every Saturday evening at Cullen Bay, and Sundays at Nightcliff foreshore, we sell our grandma’s traditional snacks to raise money,” Eva said.

“This year we’re raising money for the Cancer Council NT.

“Last year we lost our great-aunty to breast cancer, so we wanted to give to that charity.”

It is this generous spirit, coupled with the pair’s exceptional intelligence, which has led both to pursue medicine.

“I have always been interested in neuroscience.” Mr Susanto said.

Mr Susanto is on the way to becoming a neurologist. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Mr Susanto is very modest — his “interest” is more of an expertise, having placed third in the world at the International Brain Bee Olympiad, a competition about the brain and neuroscience.

“I also attended the UN COP29 as a youth delegate,” he said.

“These two experiences have made me passionate about the field of medical administration and public health.”

Eva hopes to become an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

“My grandmother has cataracts and glaucoma,” Eva shared.

Eva hopes to become an ophthalmologist. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“I want to give back to the community who helped my grandma with her eye problems.”

Studying medicine is a long journey, and the pair are just at the start.

“When we graduate we hope to provide free medical treatment to those in need across the Territory,” Mr Susanto said.

“We’re all human and we all deserve treatment,” Eva elaborated.

These values were shaped by Eva and Peter’s parents, Henri Susanto and Lenny.

“We are so grateful to be given the opportunity to live here in Australia,” Lenny said.

Eva and Peter with their parents and grandmother. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“We feel that we can continue to give back through our children and their work.”

“We’re so proud of them and their hard work,” the children’s father Henri Susanto added.

“We came here as students with literally nothing.

“The Australian community helped us so much.”