Alex Bardon: National Youth Science Form
In January 2009 I had the privilege of attending the National Youth Science Forum. I was one of the 300 people picked from over 2000 candidates all over Australia. While at the NYSF, I met like-minded people from all around Australia and the world. At the NYSF, I was able to join in current scientific debates on climate change, cloning ethics and nano technology. I attended university seminars and industry seminars. While in Canberra, we stayed at the Australian National University. I was in an engineering group and went to Jindabyne to look at the Snowy Mountains Hydro Plant. The most valuable thing I took away from the NYSF is all the friends I made from around Australia and the opportunity to represent Stannies in such an academic capacity. Alex Bardon
Well done, Alex. Alex hopes to study Engineering at the University New South Wales in 2010.
Heath Milton: Mineral Council’s Bursary
The NSW Mineral Council’s Bursary is an initiative aimed at encouraging senior students to pursue a career in Mining Engineering. The Bursary package includes $500 for Year 11 students, $1000 for Year 12 students and an additional $2000 if the student pursues a Mining Engineering Degree. I discovered the Bursary on the internet whilst reading different resources relating to Engineering. To be eligible, I had to complete an application form indicating my personal attributes and interests relating to Mining Engineering. I then forwarded the application to Mrs van Gend, who then posted it with the other applications. After a couple of weeks, I was thrilled to receive notification that I had been awarded the Bursary. By receiving this Bursary, I am exposed to many more resources, including seminars and mentors from professionals in the industry. This Bursary has provided me with a great opportunity, and will help me in becoming a Mining Engineer in the future. Heath Milton
Well done, Heath. Keep up the good work. Heath hopes to study Mining Engineering at UNSW in 2011. Heath’s older brother Blake is currently in Year 12 and is exploring the idea of applying for medicine at UNE. Heath and Blake are boarders from Mudgee. McLeod McKenzie, Head Prefect 2008, won a Mineral’s Council Bursary while at Stannies and is now completing a Mining Engineering degree at UNSW.
The Fourteenth National Schools Constitutional Convention
Luke Dore of Year 12, who was the elected Bathurst Youth Mayor for the Year to February 2009, was selected to attend the Fourteenth National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra from March 17 to March 19, 2009. Luke had earlier been selected to attend the NSW State Constitutional Convention on February 16 which was held in Sydney in the NSW Parliament. From the NSW Convention, 30 delegates were elected by those attending and Luke was one of those fortunate students to journey on to Canberra and represent NSW at the National Convention.
At the State Convention, delegates discussed the question of a Bill Of Rights and whether the Federal Government has too much power. Luke holds the view that a Bill Of Rights is unnecessary because the rights of Australians are adequately protected in Statute and Common Law and a Bill Of Rights might in fact limit rather than extend rights for citizens. In any event, Australian history would suggest that actions to include a Bill Of Rights in the Constitution would likely fail and the efforts made in this cause would therefore likely be wasted. With respect to federal power, Luke believes that clearly the Federal Government has far more power than envisaged under the Constitution but in today’s world, this drift of power to the Commonwealth is probably a necessary outcome and that the states perhaps should wither in favour of a stronger local government to operate in concert with the federal powers.
At the National Convention the topic was ‘A New Constitutional Preamble For Australia?’ Luke is a pragmatist and believes that since it is highly unlikely that such an amendment to the Constitution would prevail at referenda and that even if it did prevail that it would be of questionable real value or purpose, that energy and money directed in this cause would be wasteful. Luke points out that a referendum currently would cost as a minimum $100 million. Luke would appear to have been with many like-minded souls as the final vote of the Convention defeated the motion in favour of ‘A New Constitutional Preamble For Australia’. Where are all our idealists? While in Canberra the delegates stayed at the Eagle Hawk Resort where they lounged about in Hawaiian shirts, ruminating on the Australia to come. The Debates of the Youth National Schools Convention took place in the Old Parliament House building. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard MP was the keynote speaker at the opening of the Convention. During the Convention the delegates enjoyed addresses from leading academics, as well as input from Members Of The House Of Representatives and the Senate. Luke returned to Stannies for his exams and assessments a wiser, more travelled and more informed young man. Luke particularly enjoyed participating at the National Convention and is appreciative of those who contributed to him gaining this opportunity.
Well done, Luke Dore. Following a Gap year, Luke is considering the study of Law at the Australian National University in Canberra.
OUTSTANDING SPORT
ISA and CIS Representatives
Cricket
Nicholas Shurmer was successful in gaining selection in the ISA XI. They had a very successful rep season defeating both the CAS and ASC teams. Nicholas had a great day out on Bradman Oval second top scoring with 49 against the Canberra Schools. Game will played, Nicholas.
Swimming
James Brouff and Harrison Stower were both selected for the ISA Swimming team to swim at the CIS trials after standout performances in the 50m breast stroke at the ISA carnival. Congratulations boys!
Cross Country
Ben Walsh Barrington along with Cameron Slack Smith qualified for the ISA team to run at the CIS Cross Country trials on Thursday 28/05/09. Great effort Ben and Cameron.
Touch Football
In the ISA Touch we had three boys selected for the ISA Touch team, James Hurley, James Mashman and Nick Gell. Ryan McCarthy was selected as a shadow player and later included into the team after the withdrawal of Nick Gell. Both James Hurley and James Mashman were selected for the CIS team. Congratulations boys.
Hockey
Five Stannies men were selected for the ISA Hockey team Murray Bennett, Jacob Weal, James Griffin, Mitchell Pearce and Dylan Smith. From the NSWCIS trials the CIS team was selected to play in Sydney during the July school holidays. Three Stannies students were named in this team, James Griffin, Mitchell Pearce and Dylan Smith. Well done.
Football (Soccer)
Daniel Luther represented ISA Firsts. He was also named as co-captain for the team. In any circumstances this would be a considerable achievement but given that Stannies does not play football in the ISA, yet Daniel was still able to impress selectors to such a degree that he was not only selected in the team but made Captain, makes his achievement especially notable. The ISA team won two games 2-1 against Christian Schools and AICES and had two 0-0 draws against the GPS and CAS Associations. Congratulations Daniel.
Rugby
The following students have been named in ISA Representative squads for 2009. In the 16’s Tom Koerstz, Justin Picker and Sam Gemmell. While in the opens, 10 students gained squad selectio: Aaron Booby, Kharn Duffy, Michael Toleafoa, James Hurley, Hugh Jollye, James Read, Mitchell Evers, Max McAllister, Billy Veitch and Bobbie Brown. Well done.
OUTSTANDING CATTLE TEAM
The Stannies Cattle team attended four shows this year, Blayney Show, Royal Bathurst Show, Beef Spectacular and Hawkesbury Show. Twelve students from Year 10 Agriculture, carefully prepared “Princess” and our team of steers to attend these shows and they were well rewarded with some excellent results.
At our first show, the Bathurst Show, the weekend proved successful with “Princess” winning her class and two of our steers placing 2nd and 4th. Blayney Show followed with “Princess” again strutting her stuff to take out the Junior Champion Shorthorn Female.
Beef Spectacular, a huge industry event held in Dubbo annually, was a new event on the Stannies Cattle Team calendar, and proved a viable alternative to the Sydney Royal, with over 700 cattle on display. The show consisted of 3 full days of cattle judging plus Junior events. In the stud judging, “Princess”, led by Greg Treanor had to compete against a large group of Under 12 month heifers and in tough competition, walked away with 1st place.
To add to the excitement, Stannies were involved in a full day of filming for TV show “Talk to the Animals” hosted by celebrity Nicki Buckley. The boys had to walk Nicki through the day’s activities, including washing, drying, feeding, preparing and exhibiting. A great time was had by all and “Princess” was unfazed by the attention and film crew.
Beef Spectacular was also the first of our hoof and hook competitions for the year, with 3 animals entered. “Ashley”, “Bill” and “Kez” were participants in the Middle and Heavy weight sections of the led and carcase competition. “Ashley”, well led by handler Brady Cheshire, impressed the judges and was awarded a third in the heavyweight live judging, while Lincoln Gillespie leading “Bill” and Conor Lamond leading “Kez” were unlucky not to place in the Middleweights. The three of them then went to compete on the hook, with “Bill” clearly winning his class and “Kez” placing 4th behind him in the Middleweights. “Ashley” not wanting to let the team down, placed 3rd in the hook judging also. In the Junior handlers/paraders events, Bill Rybak placed 2nd and Greg Treanor 3rd in their classes.
Hawkesbury Show was the final show of the season, and is the 3rd largest show in NSW. “Rockley” our limousin/shorthorn/angus steer, weighed in at 400kg to contest the Middleweight section. With Ross Mallon on the lead, “Rockley” fought a tough battle to be awarded Middleweight Champion. On the hook, the led and unled classes were combined, however ‘Rockley” still proved competitive earning 86.5 points and placing 3rd. “Princess”, led by Bill Rybak, contested the stud classes and won the Junior Champion Shorthorn Female, Grand Champion Shorthorn Female and Supreme Shorthorn Exhibit. This made her eligible to compete in the Interbreed Competition, where she placed 2nd in this class. Bill Rybak did not want to be outdone by the heifer achieving all the results and in the Junior Judging class, successfully placed and spoke on the microphone on two classes of heifers. He was awarded the Reserve Champion Junior Judge in the 15-25 yr age group. A terrific result against many accomplished young judges.
This year’s cattle team did an excellent job at showcasing themselves, the cattle and the Stannies to an exceptionally high standard. They were dedicated and took pride in their work on which they deserve congratulations. The 2009 cattle team, consisted of: William Rybak, Matthew Bastian, Matthew Ferrari, Ross Mallon, Sam Gemmell, Lincoln Gillespie, Brady Cheshire, Joe McNamara, Conor Lamond, Brett Lindsay, Greg Treanor and William McGaw. Congratulations to the 2009 Stannies Cattle Team.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA
Les Miserables
During May, four Stannies students and a member of staff starred in the Crillion Theatrical Society production ‘Les Miserables’. Conough McMahon-Hogan who played Enjolras, a leader of the student revolution; Josh Meyers played Feuily, a member of the student body; Alex Morgan was Marius who as a love struck revolutionary; and Mr Paul Hughes who played Javert - a policemen with attitude! Caleb Aul played an outstanding Trombone in the band. Together they were in 11 performances at the Bathurst Entertainment Centre with outstanding results often playing to a full-house. Well done to the Stannies ‘Les Mis’ cast!