25 Sunshine Coast, Noosa dux reveal lives and careers post high school
From an astrophysicist to a “weed decimator” find out what some of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s best and brightest are doing after high school.
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They are the best and brightest of their classes, and are awarded dux at the end of their high school lives.
These dux span more than two decades and have varied lives and career paths post high school.
From an astrophysicist to a “weed decimator” find out what some of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s best and brightest are doing after high school.
Immanuel Lutheran College
James Rafter – dux 2015
James graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) in 2019 from the University of Queensland.
While he was at university, James worked part-time at Glencore in its procurement team for four years and interned in his final year at EY in the valuations, modelling and economics division.
In his final year, he went on a short-term exchange to the London School of Economics and completed a course in analysis and management of financial risk.
After completing his degrees in 2019, he interned for 10 weeks over the 2019/2020 summer break at Credit Suisse in Sydney in its investment banking division rotating through the general industrials and financial institutions teams.
He was fortunate to receive a return offer and began working full-time at Credit Suisse in February 2021 in the resources, energy and infrastructure team of the bank.
In April 2022, James made the move to Bank of America to join its investment banking natural resources team and has been there since.
Ellen Lynch – dux 2014
Ellen graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree specialising in mechanics and materials.
She is finalising her PhD, which will be submitted in 2023.
Conducting a deep dive into intellectual humility, Ellen’s research area is Humility as a Professional Engineering Asset.
Ellen has critiqued design approaches with a view to examine how engineers work with others and each other, with the goal to build and better maintain relationships.
Ellen said she was drawn to university and industry collaboration and wanted to work on projects that created cities of the future.
Her other interests include working with Engineers Without Borders, an outreach program she was involved with during her third year at university when she travelled to Cambodia.
In her Honours year, Ellen again worked with EWB and travelled to Nepal.
Her thesis topic involved recommendations which would make EWB’s program more inclusive.
Verity Smith – dux 2011
Verity is a senior solicitor at McInnes Wilson Lawyers, working in the personal injury (compensation) field.
In addition to her day-to-day work, Verity coordinates her firm’s national pro bono program and donates her time to community legal centres and charity organisations.
Verity lives in Brisbane and loves travelling.
She returns to the Sunshine Coast whenever possible.
Major Matthew Jones – dux 2007
Matthew Jones is a Royal Australian Infantry Officer in the Army Reserves.
In his civilian role, Matthew is a paediatric surgical registrar at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne where he is training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and completing a part-time PhD.
Major Jones enlisted in 2007, posting to the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.
He has assisted in a Queensland flood operation among other deployments including for bushfires.
In his civilian capacity, Major Jones is a paediatric surgical registrar undertaking his fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons with a sub-specialisation in burns and trauma surgery for children.
His tertiary studies also include a Master of Surgery, Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Medical Science and Diploma in Child Health.
Major Jones is married to Natalie, a paediatric social worker, and has an baby daughter Arabella.
He enjoys motorsport including racing in Targa Tasmania to raise money for The Royal Children’s Hospital, sailing, surfing, running and academic writing in his spare time.
Jason Marquenie – 2000 dux
Pilot Jason Marquenie is a type rating instructor and first officer who flies the B787 for Qantas.
He also does work for Boeing Defence Australia as a quality systems specialist, supporting defence programs.
Jason has considerable experience on the Boeing 787-9, the B737 and the B747-400.
In addition to his pilot licenses and ratings, he has a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, lead auditor qualifications, a remote pilot licence and a Certificate IV in training and assessment.
Glasshouse Christian College
Katherine Vlaanderen – dux 2009
After graduating from the first Year 12 cohort of the college, Katherine started a Bachelor of Law at the Queensland University of Technology, but swapped to secondary education after her first year.
“It was a much better fit,” she said.
“I had been working with children and young adults in various capacities via church groups for a long time and found I had a knack for it.
“From there I completed my bachelor degree with honours and got a full-time position after graduating.”
She has been an English coordinator for four years and completed her Masters of Education (Leadership) in 2021.
Outside of work, Katherine’s favourite things include “trying to make things grow” in her garden, climbing mountains, drinking coffee by the beach with her partner, playing with her dog Cloud and collecting books that she hopes she will one day get to read.
Kaylee Young (nee Utting) – dux 2014
After graduating high school, Kaylee was awarded a Vice Chancellor Merit Scholarship to study at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
She spent the next three years completing a Bachelor of Paramedic Science.
She said the highlight of her studies was her third year practical where she got the opportunity to visit Vanuatu for five weeks as a student paramedic to learn about austere medicine.
“After graduating university, I worked events as a trackside medic for a while before stumbling into a mine rescue paramedic job up at the Bowen Basin, which I have been doing ever since,” Kaylee said.
“I work FIFO, week on, week off, and live in the Moreton Bay region, and this lifestyle has allowed me to live life to the fullest during my time off.”
She was married in November, 2021, and took a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip all over Europe in December 2022, visiting 10 different countries.
“In the near future, I will be transitioning to work closer to home and spend more time with friends and family,” Kaylee said.
Ariana Dolan – dux 2019
After leaving school, Ariana was awarded the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship and became a member of the Griffith honours college.
She is currently in her final year at Griffith University studying Business and Environmental Science.
Ariana works as the youth program co-ordinator for the organisation Zero Positive for Schools, which is a world-first initiative supported by the United Nations to take schools on the journey to net-zero.
“Since leaving school I have had the opportunity to be youth member of Parliament for the electorate of Glass House and was able to produce an eco-tourism commercial to encourage people to come to the Sunshine Coast when Covid restrictions eased, featuring Robert Irwin and Baz Luhrmann’s daughter Lily,” Ariana said.
Ariana is an active member of the community and works alongside council and state government members to create positive environmental change.
She is working with the Sunshine Coast Council and member for Glass House Andrew Powell on a youth-led tree planting event planned for August to encourage young people to get out in nature and rejuvenate our local environment.
She has also trained with the organisation Force of Nature to be the first in Australia to run climate anxiety to agency workshops with students.
Julian Utting – dux 2011
In the years since graduating, Julian studied at Queensland University of Technology and completed a Bachelor of Mathematics and a Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment, both with distinction.
For the past eight years, Julian works as the main software developer for ITM Projects making apps, websites and other software for primarily the bus industry – chartering systems, shuttle and tour booking systems, school bus manifests and more including student management software for GCC.
Julian got married in early 2021 and lives in Beerwah with his wife, Talitha and their cat.
Dylan Stevenson – dux 2010
Dylan Stevenson has completed an Honours in Electrical Engineering at the University of New South Wales.
He started pilot training with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2015 and graduated in 2016.
“Since then my work has given me an opportunity to live all around Australia and travel all over the world,” Dylan says.
Dylan lives in Canberra with his wife.
“I am married to a phenomenal paediatric occupational therapist from Nanango who is the most talented and patient person in the world considering my transient work,” Dylan said.
Dylan captains RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft for number 34SQN.
He is soon completing a Masters of Space Operations.
Dylan said he looked forward to pursuing a career in the emerging space industry in Australia.
Caloundra City Private School
Taylor Bindon – dux 2013
Taylor studied a dual degree of Bachelor of IT (Comp Sci) and Bachelor of Science (Phys) completed with distinction at Queensland University of Technology.
He said his main goal was to use technology and software to enhance processes and systems.
“This goal started out in relation to physics, where I gained experience in how software is used in computational physics through a research project at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute,” Taylor said.
“I have since translated this goal to software development by creating applications that build upon and improve existing processes and systems for businesses.”
Taylor is now the director and founder of Atlis Technologies, a software development business on the Sunshine Coast, which is currently developing Mother of All Spreadsheets, a modern financial advice platform.
Taylor says he enjoys “the challenging puzzle-like nature of programming” and “every day feels different as problems often require vastly different solutions”.
“Although our business is relatively new, I enjoy all aspects of running a business and look forward to the challenges that come as we continue to grow,” he said.
Cieran Kent – dux 2014
Cieran graduated from the University of Queensland in 2018 with a Bachelor of Software Engineering, first class honors.
“After graduating, I worked for two years at Orange Sky Laundry, building software that streamlined our charitable operations and helped our volunteers help more people,” he said.
He now works for Canva as a software engineering manager, working on the new Canva Docs editor.
“My job is to lead, coach and coordinate my team of engineers so they can do the best work of their lives, and make a few key technical contributions of my own along the way,” Cieran said.
“I love working with so many talented people, working on very interesting and complicated problems.”
He said a career highlight was having Canva Docs announced to the world at the Canva Create showcase.
“The atmosphere in the room was something special, and I’m really proud to have built something that
our Canva community loves,” Cieran said.
Kawana Waters State College
Carlos Bray – dux 2016
Carlos was part of the first cohort of students to enter into the Bachelor of Medical Science program at the University of Sunshine Coast.
He received a full scholarship largely attributed to his school results and involvement in extra-curricular activities.
Carlos is currently in his second year of Griffith University’s Doctor of Medicine program at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute.
Sunshine Beach State High School
Holly Trickett – dux 2020
Holly studied a Bachelor of Secondary Education and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sunshine Coast for a year, before she decided to switch to a Bachelor of Laws.
“I think this was the best decision I have ever made,” Holly said.
A few months ago, she also completed training that qualified her to work as a pharmacy dispensary technician.
“My grandfather encouraged me to apply at a local pharmacy where he had worked before retiring and that’s what I did,” Holly said.
“I’ve worked at the pharmacy for the past year and love it.”
Holly also hopes to travel this year and has a trip to New Zealand and Europe planned.
She is now in her second year of Law and plans to complete honours.
“I have my sights set on becoming a barrister,” she said.
Josie Lee – dux 2018
After graduating, Josie studied arts majoring in peace and conflict studies at the University of Queensland and also picked up law at the Queensland University of Technology.
“I’ve been studying part-time and working full-time for a while now,” Josie said.
Her job progression after high school saw her working at a law firm, a union and most recently at a fintech company where she is part of a team developing a government approved rating product for builders, developers, subcontractors, and consultants.
In her spare time she is active in the political scene, volunteering for youth organisations, and keeps active with ballroom dancing and tango.
Josie said she was also preparing for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Del Bleechmore – dux 2016
After graduating, Del moved to Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Queensland and “with a whirlwind move to Melbourne” dropped out after the third semester.
He said he thought “real-world experiences” would help him develop a stronger sense of purpose and “the values he would develop and strengthen would help inform his studies should he return to an academic path in the future”.
Del worked in retail, as a school tutor and also volunteered at a refugee resource centre before he became involved in a bush care program where he volunteered once a week.
“I’d always experienced an immense sense of gratitude for the beauty of my natural surroundings having grown up in Peregian and Sunrise Beach,” Del said.
In December 2021 he enrolled in a horticultural course at TAFE and says the first semester spent studying a Certificate II “did wonders for my mind and soul”.
“The staff were lovely and ever-encouraging and I made several new friends, one of whom would become my girlfriend,” he said.
“I was elated that my patience in allowing a personal path to emerge organically had directed me toward this thoroughly enjoyable routine, and that I looked forward every day to talking and learning with my classmates and teachers.”
Shortly after completing the course, Del started a bush regeneration job working for a family-owned environmental services company and he has been “decimating weeds” for the past six months.
Noosa District State High School
Ella Wilkinson – dux 2021
After school Ella travelled for a year to “check off some things off my bucket list”.
She snorkelled with giant trevally in the Great Barrier Reef, coached a soccer team and played “all the sports under the sun”.
She also travelled overseas for the first time and went to India with her mum.
“(Last year) taught me an awful lot about myself and who I really wanted to be,” Ella said.
Having already deferred a University of Technology Sydney Bachelor of Design course for 2023, she decided to apply for the National Institute of Dramatic Arts.
“Completing one hefty application process and three interviews, one conducted at 6.30am on top of a building in Pushkar, India, I was accepted into NIDA’s Design for Performance course,” Ella said.
“So, I guess that takes me to where I am today – a Sunny Coast girl living her designer dream in the shiny city of Sydney.”
Marijn Van Der Kooij – dux 2020
In 2021, Marijn moved out of home to Brisbane and started a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics at the University of Queensland.
“I’m now roughly halfway through my degree and looking actively to develop my industry experience to expand my career opportunities,” Marijn said.
He describes moving to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast as “quite a change for me”, living alone for the first half of the year “while juggling the increased commitments of my degree”.
Marijn also began tutoring high school students through Creating Students, as well as running additional study sessions for a first-year subject he completed earlier in the year.
In 2022 he says he worked on balancing his studies, social life and work while also working for a student society at the University of Queensland, which he became president of, and over the summer he completed two internships at KPMG and BDO.
This semester he became a business school tutor for two subjects he completed last year, which he said would keep him busy “in combination with part-time work in industry”.
Marijn is now looking to explore further finance internships for winter and summer of 2023 to pursue a career in financial services after he graduates in 2024.
Jarrah Marchio – dux 2019
Jarrah took a gap year before starting a Bachelor of Film at Griffith University.
After submitting her scholarship application she received the Dean’s Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship and the Chancellor’s scholarship.
She was also offered membership for the Griffith Honours College.
Jarrah said her interests in film were in directing as well as the camera department.
“Since first year I’ve spent 72 days on set across 33 productions,” Jarrah said.
She was also the president of the Griffith Screen Society in 2022.
Matt Craigie – dux 2016
Matt is an astrophysicist at the University of Queensland in the middle of a PhD using “cutting-edge artificial intelligence” to unravel some of the greatest mysteries of the universe.
As a member of an international space collaboration, Matt said he had the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s leading researchers.
“Beyond my PhD, I look forward to continuing this exploration of the cosmos as a professional astrophysicist and data scientist,” Matt said.
Cady Chappell – dux 2013
Cady studied a Bachelor of International Studies after school, majoring in political and international relations at the University of the Sunshine Coast and graduated in 2016.
She was then accepted into a graduate program with the federal government Department of Finance and moved to Canberra, where she progressed as a budget and policy analyst, assisting with the development of federal budgets particularly in the areas of law enforcement and national security.
In 2019 Cady moved back to the Sunshine Coast and worked in administration for the Department of Justice in the Queensland courts.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to work in a non-government organisation with a community focus,” Cady said.
She currently works as an NDIS support co-ordinator, assisting people with disabilities to manage and implement their NDIS funding and supports.
She also studies creative writing and publishing at the University of the Sunshine Coast “as a side hobby”.
Cady has a one-way ticket to London booked for later this year where she will undertake some “vigorous travelling before I hit the big 30” before deciding what’s next for her life and career.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Laura Webb – dux 2022
Laura is studying at Griffith University in its accelerated Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine.
In Laura’s dux speech in February 2023 at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, she said she “would not have been able to achieve this without the support of so many people”.
Laura thanked her teachers, friends and family for “their continuous support” during a challenging year.
“In particular, I have to thank my parents for feeding and watering me like a houseplant,” she said.
“While some people say that I’m lucky, I believe that you make your own luck.”
You have so many opportunities available to you and it is important to take as many of these as you can.
“But remember, while there are so many people who are here to help you, it is ultimately up to you to achieve your goals.”
Claudia McPherson – dux 2021
Last year, Claudia started a dual degree in mechatronic engineering and computer science at the University of Queensland which she described as “something new”.
“I think a large misconception at most schools is that once you graduate, you have to know what you want to do,” she said.
“This definitely weighed heavily on me as I definitely didn’t have a clear path ahead of me, or an area I was deliberately focusing on.
“Despite being completely new to both engineering and computer science, I loved the idea of a new challenge, a high rate of learning and developing new skills.”
Claudia said she “initially felt impostor syndrome” as a woman in a “mainly male-dominated” dual degree.
“However, thanks to the amazing tutors and the support of Women in Engineering, Robogals, and other equity-based STEM groups, I quickly found my place,” she said.
“If my experience has taught me anything, it’s that building your network and taking opportunities is the most important step if you want to make impact.”
Claudia has also founded her own university club, UQ Reality Labs, which focuses on bridging the ever-present divide between universities and industry in relation to emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.
She is also a part of the Liveris Academy, an international delegate at the Stanford ASES summit, mentoring younger students through various university societies and speaking on an upcoming panel about female empowerment in STEM-related fields.
Justin Holland, dux 2020
Justin is a passionate environmentalist.
Justin and his twin brother Karl won the 2020 Generation Innovation Challenge for their business, Communibee, which provides practical solutions to save the honey bee.
In 2021, Justin began his Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast as he strives to fulfil his dream to become a surgeon.
Zennjo Searle – dux 2019
Zennjo was awarded the Warden’s Medal for Academic Achievement at St John’s College, University of Queensland in 2021.
In 2020 Zennjo was presented with the Queensland Certificate of Education achievement awards.
He has spent the past three years at the University of Queensland completing a science degree majoring in bio medicine.
In 2023 he started the first year of a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Queensland.
Over the past three years he has been part of the music bands associated with St John‘s College at the University of Queensland.
Kristina Lane – dux 2018
Upon graduating high school Kristina received dux of Matthew Flinders and got the top position in five of her six subjects: physics, chemistry, maths C, maths B, accounting and was awarded Certificate for Excellence in Physics by the Australian Institute of Physics.
“I moved to Sydney to pursue tertiary studies at the University of Sydney undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies, majoring in finance and chemistry,” she said.
“I was fortunate enough to earn scholarships that enabled me to live on campus at St Andrew’s College.
“For the next three years this became my new ‘home’, where I met lifelong friends and also took advantage of the many opportunities that campus life had to offer.”
During university, Kristina played for the division one tennis team as well as being the tournament elite competitions director for the Sydney University Lawn Tennis Club in 2021.
She also committed herself to other organisations, undertook an internship and worked part-time as a tennis coach.
Last year, she was an equity analyst in the university’s student managed investment fund.
Kristina graduated university in 2022 and started her career as an investment banking analyst at Jarden.
Mountain Creek State High School
Tim Mayall – dux 2002
After a few false career starts, Tim Mayall works in investment banking and lives near the beach in Sydney.
He said the Sunshine Coast was one of the most beautiful places in the world to grow up.
After graduating from Mountain Creek State High School, he completed a science degree at the University of Queensland but still did not know what he wanted to do in his career.
“I spent a long time working casually and backpacking through most of the continents to understand the world and my place in it,” he said.
“It was the time of my life, but the main takeaway was how lucky we have it in Australia.
“Not only in the beauty of the land and the helpfulness of the people, but also the equal opportunity.”
Tim said his “humble” beginnings had not restricted him from achieving.
“I received a quality education in a public school and was able to further that at university by living on Centrelink and getting a fairly priced HECS debt,” he said.
“Most of the world is not so fortunate.”
Tim said “after trying a few false career starts” he landed in investment banking.
“One day I saw the opportunity to pursue a path that could use both what I was good at and enjoy,” he said.
“As an example, I found that I was better prepared than many of my colleagues in the industry to consider environmental, social and governance factors for investments.
“As Eminem put it in the year I finished high school: ‘You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow’.”
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