Flying start for FNQ graduate
THE Australian Defence Force has snapped up one of the Far North’s brightest graduates of 2018 with Brian Komatsu-Quinn selected to train as an officer and pilot in Canberra.
Fresh from Cairns State High School and armed with a high-flying score of OP2, Brian has already finished his initial military training and celebrated with 350 other first year officer cadets at the 2019 Chief of the Defence Force Parade.
The ceremony, attended by his family, was held at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra and is considered a significant milestone as cadets progress into the Australian Defence Force.
“Brian has worked really hard to get where he is and we are all very proud of him,” said his father, Brodie Quinn.
“Last week, he started at the University of New South Wales, which is on the ADFA campus, as part of his studies to become a pilot,” Mr Quinn said.
“He hopes to become a fighter pilot and fly the F-35, but he would just be happy to fly anything.”
The top of Year 12 at Cairns High in biology, Japanese, Maths B and graphics, Brian had a tough choice to make between medicine and the military.
“He was invited to James Cook University in Townsville for an interview to do a Bachelor of Medicine, was successful and an offer was given to him, however, the offer from the RAAF to train as an officer/pilot came through first and the rest is history,” Mr Quinn said.
“He is still thinking of doing his Bachelor of Medicine later and a Diploma of Japanese. That’s what his goals are.
“Brian speaks and writes Japanese and he won a scholarship with the Australian Japan Society in 2018 to stay in Japan for five weeks.”
Mr Quinn said his son deserved every success.
“He used to study until three in the morning. All he did was come home and work.”
He also held part-time jobs at the Baskin-Robbins icecream shop on the Esplanade and at Dash’s Takeaway in White Rock.
“He only finished working with them several weeks before going to Townsville for the official appointment ceremony in late January. He was the only pilot selected from North Queensland for the RAAF at this ceremony.
“I’m very proud of him. He’s a lovely kid.”