2024 LIST: Sunshine Coast’s students of the year
From dedicated volunteering at community and school events to excellence in science and sport, these are the 2024 Year 12 students who their schools think shone bright. See who the schools chose.
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Schools across the Sunshine Coast have nominated their Year 12 students of 2024 who have shown excellence, effort and kindness in their senior years.
More than 25 graduates have earned the title of Student of the Year for their work in the academic space, volunteering, leadership, sport, art or trade.
See all the nominations:
Caloundra Christian College
Drew
Drew, 18, was nominated for his exceptional leadership and work as an “inspiring role model” as a college captain.
His dedication on the worship team, leadership team, and as a maths tutor significantly impacted other students.
He also received A grades in all of his subjects in addition to top academic achievement awards in English, Arts and Mathematics as well as the Ampol Best All Rounder Award and Creative Arts Awards
Liam Walsh
Liam Walsh, 18, earned A grades in all his subjects, and his achievements reflected his effort, dedication and hard work.
He won the top academic award for the Sciences and the prestigious Australian Defence Force Future Innovators award.
Liam’s “consistent pursuit of excellence” also earned him academic excellence awards in English and Science.
Corbin Easton
Corbin Easton, 17, created an “amazing example” for other students through his drive, community spirit, and willingness to lend a hand in all situations.
He was a leading member of the sound, lighting and tech crew, founder of the Drone Club, and a key member of the school’s student leadership team.
Corbin showed selflessness and care to students and staff and has been an “amazing friend” as well as a “positive role model” to his younger peers.
He received the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership award and the Principal’s Award.
Caloundra City Private School
Keira Minahan
Senior teacher Paul Miller said Keira Minahan achieved A+ grades in all of her physics assessments in the two-year senior course and has been recognised by the Australian Institute of Physics and awarded a Certificate for Excellence in Physics for her outstanding performance.
Mr Miller said she “worked tirelessly” to research global trends in quantum physics and performed her own investigation this year into “interference patterns produced by laser beams created by different wavelengths of light”.
Coolum State High School
Savanah Mahony
Vice-captain Savanah Mahony, 17, was nominated for her work as a “fantastic role model and ambassador” through public speaking, including at the Coolum Beach Anzac Dawn Service.
Savanah also played clarinet in the school’s award-winning wind symphony and has a successful mountain biking career between three jobs.
She won a music platinum award and has placed in various international mountain biking competitions.
Shiloh Housley
Shiloh Housley, 17, has “worked tirelessly” to complete her hairdressing apprenticeship and Certificate III in Hairdressing through TAFE since Year 10.
The school described her as a “well-respected member” in the salon, whose staff are “proud” of Shiloh’s continuous growth.
Meridan State College
Diego Rojas Del Fierro
Diego Rojas Del Fierro, 18, was nominated for his academic excellence in his general studies — achieving more than 90 per cent in assessments — alongside his role as a fundraising co-ordinator for the Red Cross Appeal, international student leader ambassador and Lions Club Youth of the Year regional winner.
At the school’s awards night, he was also crowned the International Student of the Year and the college director’s Igniting Minds, Empowering Futures Award recipient.
Beerwah State High School
Macey Searle
Beerwah State High School principal Lyn Thomas said Macey Searle, school captain and Year 12 dux, is well respected by her peers and staff.
Ms Thomas said Macey strived to achieve academic excellence and held leadership positions throughout her time at the school.
“I personally commend the way in which she conducted herself in representing the students at Beerwah State High School and also continued with excellent academic results,” Ms Thomas said.
Alongside various top of subject awards, she also received the Cultural Excellence, Academic Excellence, Ampol All Rounder and ADF Future Innovator awards.
Throughout her high school years, she participated in extracurricular activities and was chosen as the Youth Parliament Member for Caloundra.
Good Samaritan Catholic College
Poppy Tindal
Poppy Tindal, 18, displayed “leadership beyond her years” in her role as one of the first college captains, thereby establishing “traditions and a legacy” for future students.
She excelled academically, recently receiving a QATSIF Young Indigenous Leader award and, as part of the WAFL Brisbane Lions Academy and Coates National Talent League, was selected in the Queensland girls under-18s squad to compete nationally.
Poppy was also part of the Firsts Rugby Union team, the Karen Murphy 9s senior rugby league team, the rugby 7s Firsts team and has been volunteering as a lifesaver at the Noosa Surf Club since the age of 13.
Georgia Mason
Georgia Mason, 18, demonstrated and looked beyond the “core principles of leadership development” as house captain.
Her community volunteer work, academic work, participation in school events and extracurricular activities bolstered her image as a role model for other students.
Georgia coached junior netball and touch teams, assisted in organising school sports activities and represented the college in the Queensland All Schools Firsts Oz tag team, Karen Murphy 9s senior rugby league team, and the rugby 7s Firsts team, ultimately leading her to receive the school’s inaugural Tindall Family Leadership Award.
Kade Venables
House captain Kade Venables, 17, received the school’s inaugural Golden Heart award, recognising him as an all-rounder with a genuine kindness and respect towards students and teachers.
This award proved Kade to be willing to “try their hand” at anything, befriend anyone, balance their school, sport, social and work as a “true team player” with a great work ethic.
He was also awarded a QATSIF Young Indigenous Leader award.
Maleny State High School
Eliza Portas
School council president Eliza Portas, 17, has been a member of the school’s Interact program, previously working as secretary and most recently president as well as secretary for the environmental committee.
Eliza spent much time organising, participating and volunteering for various events in and outside of school to help the environment and raise funds.
She is also a member and secretary of the Maleny Blackall Range LEOs Club and has been working towards forming a LEOs club in Caloundra West.
She was recognised for her work after she became a district finalist for Youth of the Year.
Helen Owens
Helen Owens was executive member and secretary of the student council as well as member of the Interact program, holding positions such as treasurer and membership co-ordinator.
Helen participated in various science programs in the past two years, particularly through several Queensland and UK universities and has been in the school band since Year 7 playing the flute.
On top of her part-time job, she has committed herself to the Dance Academy in Maleny since she was young and has completed a Royal Academy of Dance ballet exam next year.
Leo Sanderson
School captain Leo Sanderson frequently participated in and volunteered for various school events and lends a hand monthly to raise funds for the Conondale Sports and Rec Club at the Sunday Witta Markets.
As part of the Warriors softball team, he has competed in state and national championships and has represented the school in state athletics and cross country competitions.
Leo has become a role model for younger male students, encouraging them to take on leadership positions through his volunteering, participation and time as school captain.
Celine Xavier
Celine Xavier was the president of the Interact program and co-instigator of the yearbook committee.
She volunteered to work with the principal to develop policies, represented the school at the RSL’s Anzac Day ceremony and held roles to help organise events and interact with students and teachers.
Celine worked to take on organising roles for youth music nights at Maleny Lane and volunteers at the Nambour Soup Kitchen.
She also coached students and parents in stable and horse health management, involved herself in community sports teams and school carnivals, participated in the Lions Youth of the Year competition and was selected among 30 students for a Sunshine Coast and Brisbane health immersion program.
Glasshouse Christian College
Madeleine Mullins
School captain Madeleine Mullins, 17, was described as having a “tremendous heart for the community and service” by the school.
Having a “wonderful singing talent,” she participated school musicals, choir volunteering, schools chapel band worship team and Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod and was invited to take part in the Australian Honours Ensemble Program.
Madeline also performed at Anzac and Remembrance Day services for the past five years.
Outside of her musical talent, she also volunteered weekly at an aged care home, led worship at the Australian Christian Schools Conference, provided French tutoring to other students and created a Year 12 volunteer program for aged care.
Madeleine ultimately won the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award and Principal’s Award.
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Max Mays-Duncan
Max Mays-Duncan showed dedication, intellect and curiosity in five senior STEM subjects, maintaining his academic achievements to the highest level.
His “unique and insightful” work in a challenging quantum physics claim was recognised by the head of faculty as the “most impressive investigation” they had seen, ultimately leading to Max receiving the ADF Future Innovators Award.
Libby Higgs
Libby Higgs was nominated for her dedication to her academics, particularly in STEM, and aspires to work in mechanical or aerospace engineering for leading world companies.
Her team claimed victory in the regional Da Vinci Decathlon and Libby grew in her academic journey through scientific assignments and experimental research.
Kawana Waters State College
Kirrily Petfield
Kirrily Petfield, 18, was nominated for her outstanding academic results, including achieving 100 per cent for her Japanese and Chemistry assessments, to ultimately become the dux of 2024.
Dakota Luke
Dakota Luke, 18, racked up outstanding sports achievements and participated in the Australian Surf Life Saving Titles and Asia Pacific Sprint Cup. Dakota won a gold and two silver medals in the kayaking category and also maintained outstanding grades while taking part in the Queensland Academy of Sport.
Zoe Morris
Zoe Morris, 18, completed a school-based pastry chef apprenticeship with “outstanding achievement,” earning her the school’s apprenticeship award and a full-time apprenticeship offer.
Jackson Bailey
Jackson Bailey was the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation scholarship recipient and now graduate.
The scholarship required excellent behaviour, effort and academic results.
Among various university interviews, Jackson became a successful candidate for Griffith University’s school-to-university program and is now preparing to complete a medical degree.
Mercy Matthews
Mercy Matthews, 18, received “exceptional feedback” from her trainer during her traineeship in childcare, ultimately winning her the school’s school-based traineeship award.
She has since been offered full-time employment at a childcare centre and will pursue a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies before aiming for a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
Mountain Creek State High School
Lara Schofield
Lara Schofield was described by her teachers as a “highly academic student” studying the International Baccalaureate program and achieving high grades along the way.
She also played a lead role in the school’s concert band as a violinist.
Chloe Saliba
Chloe Saliba was nominated for her achievements “exceptional athlete” having competed in national CrossFit and powerlifting competitions.
Chad Challenor
School captain Chad Challenor received the DATTA Queensland’s Engineering Subject Award State Champion, an Order of Australia State Citizenship Award and an ADF Long Tan Award.
Mitch Thompson
Mitch Thompson was recognised for his work as an “incredible artist” after he won the Queensland Government’s Creative Generation Excellence Award in Visual Art alongside 39 other students across the state.
His artwork will be displayed in the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane next year.
Lily Thomas
School captain Lily Thomas earned the school’s all rounder award and represented the school at sporting events for netball and AFL.
Caloundra State High School
Malakye B
Malakye led the school’s Bu’ran’dou Boys Leadership Program which focuses on mentoring and inspiring younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
He also supported students and provided cultural care at the Sunshine Coast University, now pursuing a Diploma in Primary Health Care while working at Nambour Hospital.
Rojan M
Rojan mentored younger students in the Dance Edge Signature Program as the 2024 dance captain and showcased “exceptional talent and leadership” by choreographing several performances.
He has since been accepted into the Brent Street Dance Academy.
Connor T
Connor was named the vocational student of the year after he completed six certificates including a Certificate III in Carpentry through a school-based apprenticeship.
He produced “high-quality work” ahead of deadlines and locked in a full-time apprenticeship with Pumicestone Constructions next year.
Lachlan A
Lachlan won the school’s Hope Dell Award, recognising his compassion and humility, and for uplifting his peers and creating a “welcoming and supportive environment.”
He was nominated for his discipline, commitment, honestly, accountability, gratitude, unwavering effort, kindness towards his teammates and “positivity with a big smile.”
If you know an outstanding Year 12 student who should be on this list, email jorina.maureschat@news.com.au
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Originally published as 2024 LIST: Sunshine Coast’s students of the year
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