Congratulations to 2023 Alumnus student Samuel Brown who is one of ten Queensland State High School students to receive the prestigious 2023 TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship.
The TJ Ryan Memorial Medal represents a long-standing tradition of recognising educational achievement in Queensland. The award is a memorial to Thomas Joseph Ryan, former teacher, barrister and Queensland Premier (1915–1919), and is provided to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to high academic achievement and outstanding leadership in both their school and the local community.
From 1927 to 1970, the TJ Ryan Memorial Scholarship was awarded to the student who achieved the highest result in the state scholarship examination. The scholarship program ceased with the end of these public examinations.
In 1993, the TJ Ryan Awards were re-introduced by the Queensland Government. The award was open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrated academic excellence and who displayed leadership qualities through their achievements in Year 12. From 1996, the awards were expanded to all students who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and academic excellence during their senior years at high school.
In 2003, the award was renamed the TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship but has also been known as the Premier's Awards and the Lilley Medal.
Each year, the Queensland Department of Education awards: up to 10 TJ Ryan Memorial Medalists who receive a scholarship of up to $10,000 over 5 years and a certificate of recognition, up to 5 TJ Ryan Highly Commended awards who receive a one-off cash payment of $1,000 and a certificate of recognition, as well as, up to 20 TJ Ryan Merit certificate awards.
During the time Samuel has spent at QAHS he has proven to be one of the Academy's leading citizens and an outstanding scholar. Samuel was awarded “Academy Optimus" which is the Latin translation for 'School's Best' using the criteria that included grades and marks from all assessment components up until Year 12 – Term 3 2023. Samuel was the recipient of the Australian Defence Form (ADF) Long Tan Award for Leadership and Teamwork (2021) and the recipient of the Peter Doherty Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award (2023) which recognises students who demonstate an outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education in Queensland, as an acknowledgement of Samuel's exceptional talent and passion in the field of Science.
Samuel was commended on his results and involvement in many academic competitions, including as a National Youth Science Forum delegate. He was also awarded sponsorship from the Surfers Paradise Rotary Sunrise Group to support his continued learning in Science (2022). Samuel participated in laboratory research with Professor Nigel McMillan Griffith University, investigating the potential anti-tumoral properties of traditional Australian bush medicine, which speaks to Samuel's scientific inquisitiveness and his willingness to explore innovation. Samuel's principled approach has extended to his achievements in receiving two Silver CSIRO CREST Awards for his research work in Biology and Chemistry (2023). Samuel's placements with Dr David Schlect, a Consultant Radiation Oncologist, and at the Griffith University Institute for Glycomics, underscore his commitment to medical practice and research. His participation in the University of Queensland SPARQ-ed Program reflects his enthusiasm for translational research and his proactive approach to engage in hands-on learning.
Samuel has taken many opportunities, displaying outstanding leadership at a school and community level. Samuel was appointed Gold Coast City Council Junior Mayor in 2022 where he demonstrated his leadership alongside Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate leading the Gold Coast Junior Council's Student Leadership Program along with selected peers that represented a variety of schools from the Gold Coast in regularly attending meetings where he was able to voice community issues of significance to youth. He was also appointed as one of two student representatives of the QAHS School Student Council (2022 and 2023) attending quarterly meetings with QAHS staff, parents and community members.
An excellent debater and public speaker Samuel has actively developed his skills in inquiry and research as a member of the QAHS Debating Team (2021, 2022 and 2023) participating in many debating competitions with his team awarded runners-up in the Open A Divison at the Gold Coast Debating Competition (2022). He has held membership of many QAHS student groups including the QAHS STEM Mentor Group (2022) which involved co-ordinating and participating in various science workshops with local primary school students as well as attending various events held throughout the year. Samuel was also a member of Global Issues Forum Planning Committee (2022).
We congratulate Samuel! A worthy recipient of this very prestigious prize.
Nominations for the 2024 TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship program are open from the beginning of Term 4. Students interested in being considered will be required to submit a self-nomination for consideration in the Academy Selection process, as each Queensland secondary school is only able to nominate 1 student annually.
Alita Lee
Deputy Principal