BRIGHT FUTURES Our city’s leaders of tomorrow
THROUGH IT’S BEEN A TOUGH 18 MONTHS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NAVIGATED THEIR WAY IN SCHOOL AND UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALL WHILE EXCELLING CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. FROM NEARING THEIR FINAL MONTHS OF HIGH SCHOOL, WE SAT DOWN WITH 12 SENIOR STUDENTS NOW OF THEM. TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL TO DISCUSS THE BRIGHT FUTURES THEY HAVE AHEAD THE FIRST STEPS WHETHER THEY ARE FLOURISHING IN THE ARTS, KICKING GOALS IN SPORTS OR TAKING MOST INSPIRING DOWN THEIR CHOSEN CAREER PATHWAYS, HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE SCHOOL’S STUDENTS.
Douglas Plant
HELPING others has always come naturally to Douglas Plant, who loves nothing more than making a positive impact.
Dedicating his time through Toowoomba Grammar School’s Interact Club, the senior student was nominated by his peers to lead the group as the service committee’s president.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother who was also voted in as the group’s president, Doug said the position enabled him to channel his desire to make a difference.
“Our most notable initiative has been focusing on spreading the message of the White Ribbon Foundation to help end domestic violence nationally and in our local Toowoomba community,” Doug said.
“Obviously we weren’t able to do too much as a club during the Covid-19 situation, but the members and I have adapted really well and the response has been great.”
Oliver Schubert
NOT one to blow his own trumpet, Oliver Schubert has little reason to be modest.
In 2019, the TGS student was one of six finalists selected from across the state for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Young Instrumentalist Prize.
Aged just 15 at the time, the now senior student came fourth in the prestigious music competition – an accomplishment he still considers to be one of his best.
“I first started playing the trumpet when I was about six or seven and I’m still playing to this day,” Oliver said.
“Something I love about the trumpet is that it can cover a lot of different styles but I picked that instrument when I was young because like most kids, I was drawn to the loud noise it made.”
But the all-rounder’s talents don’t stop there, with the 17 year old making quite the impact on the sporting field and in the classroom too.
Hoping to later pursue a career in psychology, the Year 12 student is planning to take a gap year first. Peter Rathie
IT’S been anything but an easy journey for Peter Rathie, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia at just 14 years old.
And after facing a tough battle that no teenager should ever have to experience, the now senior high school student is in remission and thriving.
Alongside four of his mates, Peter helped raise more than $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation this year, when he participated in the World’s Greatest Shave.
Now aged 17 and nearing his final months of high school, Peter plans to apply for a biomedical science degree at the University of Queensland.
Using these qualifications, the hardworking student then intends to get provisional entry into medicine.
“I’m hoping to one day get into oncology, partly because of what I went through and my desire to help others,” Peter said.
“But I’ve also wanted to become a doctor for quite a while now – there’s a few people in my family who have also followed that path and they’ve had a huge influence on me.”
And while academics is Peter’s main focus, he is quite the artist too.
Taking out first place in the senior category at the school’s art show, he said he’s inspired by the famous works of surrealism artist Paco Pomet.
Ben Millar
CHOCOLATE eclairs are his pastry of choice but this award-winning apprentice said when it came to baked goods and desserts, there wasn’t one he didn’t love.
Working for Toowoomba business Antony’s Bakery and Patisserie for more than two years, Ben Millar has had already made his mark on the industry.
The school-based apprentice, who is working towards his chosen career as a baker or pastry chef, said he would be happy to pursue either profession.
“When I was young, I remember going to this bakery in the Gold Coast and watching people make things, through the window,” Ben said.
“I just thought it was so interesting to see them make these creations and since starting my apprenticeship, I’ve also developed a love for making things.”
Putting his skills to the test at this year’s Heritage Bank Toowoomba Royal Bread Show, the talented apprentice took home Queensland’s Most Successful First and Second Year Apprentice award.
Jed Statham
LEAVING your family and home at a young age can’t be easy, but boarding student Jed Statham has found himself a new place to call home in Toowoomba.
Originally from Condamine, a small town about three hours west of Toowoomba and with a population of less than 400 people, Jed said he had adapted well to living in a larger community.
In fact, he intends to stay in Toowoomba once he graduates high school with an ultimate goal to start his own boilermaking business.
“My biggest achievement to date would be scoring a school-based apprenticeship as a boilermaker,” Jed said.
“One day a week I do that instead of going to school, which I enjoy because it’s a really hands-on trade.”
And despite remaining modest about the appointment of his leadership role, the boarding house prefect has become quite the aspiring leader to younger grades.
Currently employed by Tilco Ag Systems, the senior student will commence the first year of his fouryear-long apprenticeship in Engineering and Fabrication Trade, next year.
Lachlan Hammond
FEW people can sing in five different languages but Lachlan Hammond doesn’t do anything in halves.
Using his musical and co-curricular activities as an outlet, the talented singer has been part of the school’s elite vocal ensemble – the Grammarphones and the National Choral School. Passing the Australian Music Examination Board tests with flying colours, Lachlan also achieved a high distinction for his classical voice exam last year.
Studying seven subjects at school including music extension, the high achiever has performed his assessments in French, Italian, German and English, as well as occasionally Latin.
Inspired by his dad who worked as a pilot, the Year 12 student hopes to follow a similar path, but instead of sitting in the pilot’s seat, has opted to work behind the scenes.
“Aviation has been one of the biggest passions of my entire life and I’ve always enjoyed economics too, so I’m hoping to pursue a career in aviation
management,” Lachlan said.
“I know the industry has taken a big hit with Covid-19, but my hope is that the demand will rise again in about five years time.”
The driven student plans to enrol at the University of New South Wales.
John Anderson
SINGING for as long as he can remember, John Anderson loves nothing more than the sweet sound of music.
Performing in many musicals over the years, the student reached an all-time high when he was cast for the lead role in TGS’ production of The Wedding Singer, at the age of 15.
With a passion for classical and contemporary music, the singer was awarded a bursary for the most promising solo vocalist aged between 16 and 21 at the 2021 Toowoomba Eisteddfod.
“I just love the way you can express something through song and convey emotion to the audience not just through words and literature, but songs and melodies,” John said.
“Winning the bursary really made me feel like all the hard work I’ve put in during my time at school had paid off – I’ve been doing the eisteddfod since I was nine, so it was a great way to see out the last one.”
But the vocalist doesn’t just shine in front of a microphone, with the senior student also proving himself academically too.
John plans to specialise in family or human rights laws and study at UQ.
Harrison Mills
STARS are aligning for Harrison Mills, with the talented performer hoping his hard work will one day see him performing on the big stage.
The art of acting first caught the boarding student’s eye when he was 12 years old and it’s been a dream that he’s been striving towards ever since.
Now, the enthusiastic performer is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Mel Gibson, Toni Collette and Cate
Blanchett.
“I’m applying for NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Sydney, which is one of our biggest drama and acting institutions in Australia,” Harrison said.
“It’s very competitive because they don’t take too many people on and it’s unlikely I’ll get through this time with it being my first year out of high school, but I’ll keep applying until I do.”
And when he’s not taking his talents to the stage, the boarding student from Papua New Guinea can be found on the football field, tutoring younger students or fulfilling his prefect duties.
Hamish Wells
THRIVING in all aspects of his life, Hamish Wells is quite the high achiever and triple threat.
From mentoring younger students to flourishing in the performing arts, the school leader has plenty of opportunities ahead of him.
“One of the things I’m proudest of is being able to achieve getting the leadership position in Year 12 as the house captain for Stephen’s house,” Hamish said.
“It’s a position I’ve wanted ever since junior school, because I enjoy encouraging other students to achieve their best.”
But that’s not where his leadership roles end.
The theatre enthusiast was also selected to be captain of the school’s production The Show Must Go On.
The Year 12 student has been preparing for his audition at The Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts, where he hopes to study next year.
Max Williams
FLYING to great heights is the almost qualified commercial pilot Max Williams.
While the Year 12 student will soon be one of Australia’s youngest people to obtain their licence in commercial flying, the modest 17 year old is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
Studying at V2 Helicopters in Archerfield, the keen student has completed more than 100 hours of practical flying and passed a total of seven theory exams over the past 18 months.
“My plan is to go mustering on one of the stations up north for about a year and maybe I’ll look into getting involved in search and rescue too,” he said.
“Down the track when I’m a bit more experienced, I would like to go to Africa to assist with wildlife conservation too … it’s something I’ve always been pretty interested in and it would be great to be able to help in some way too.”
Adam Peacock
WITH an interest in robotics and machinery, Adam Peacock plans to apply his skills and committed attitude to pursue a career in mechatronics.
During his time at school, the Year 12 student has been recognised for his hard work ethic with awards and has taken an interest in the cadets.
And his favourite milestone so far has come at no better time, when the soon to be high school graduate was promoted to a Cadet Under Officer position.
But when he’s not working hard to achieve his best academically and in the cadets, you’ll find the TGS student playing sport with friends.
The hardworking student hopes to pursue a career in mechatronics engineering and plans to enrol in the University of Queensland or Queensland University of Technology.
Paul Draheim
SCORING a century is nothing new for Paul Draheim who has been playing cricket since the age of 10.
The active sportsman has also been running competitively since he was 13 years old and has represented Queensland in three sports – junior athletics, indoor and outdoor cricket.
“It’s a humbling experience to represent the entire state and wear the colours on your back,” Paul said.
“I can’t really put it into words, but it makes you feel like you’re putting your best foot forward to achieve your best for your state.”
And while Paul admits being selected to play any sport professionally is no easy feat, it’s a dream he one day hopes to achieve.