Young West Australians with futures in engineering and electrotechnology were announced as the top two students in the state at the presentation of the Beazley Medal for ATAR and VET courses for 2024 on Monday.
Cohen Beveridge, from Willetton Senior High School, and Holly Hunter, from Rossmoyne Senior High School, were presented with the medals for achieving the highest results out of the entire graduating cohort.
WA Beazley Medal winners Cohen Beveridge and Hannah Hunter.Credit: Holly Thompson
Cohen won the Beazley Medal for the ATAR pathway, and also received a general exhibition, subject certificates of excellence in chemistry, mathematics methods and physics, along with a certificate of distinction.
It was also revealed he received a scaled score of more than 100 per cent in his physics, mathematics methods and specialist, chemistry and literature, and received just under 100 per cent in Italian as a second language.
That equated to a WACE award score of 102.7.
Cohen said he had studied every day, but also had “a lot of fun” during year 12, which he believed was the key to success.
“It’s important that you’re being really consistent, making sure you’re working hard every single day, but I think it’s also important to take some time off and make sure you do some stuff that you enjoy,” he said.
“I like going on bike rides with my friends a lot, I go swimming at the beach every Saturday morning, and also I play in the school band.”
Cohen was excited to get the phone call telling him that he had won the Beazley Medal: “I didn’t expect to win, I didn’t even consider winning.”
“My parents were a lot happier than me. My mom was crying a bit – I think my parents were the happiest,” he said.
Cohen will go on to study engineering at the University of Western Australia next year.
Holly won the Beazley Medal for the VET pathway after completing a Certificate II in electrotechnology and 228 work placement hours.
More than 60 students were shortlisted for an interview to receive the award out of 154 nominations from 54 schools across nine industry areas.
She also received a VET exhibition and a VET certificate of excellence in the construction industries area. She has a four-year apprenticeship lined up to start in January.
“I’m going into the lift industry, lifts and elevators, so it’s a very specific industry, and to be able to work in that industry during my work placement was just so rewarding,” Holly said.
The Beazley Medal. Credit: Holly Thompson
“My dad actually works in the lift industry, so it’s inspired me and being able to go to work placement at the same company that he works at, being able to work with him and so many other amazing electricians, has really cemented the fact that this is the career that I was to pursue.”
She said receiving the call she had won had been a surreal moment.
“It was very unexpected. I was over in Queensland with my family, so it was just amazing. I was so grateful to be surrounded by my family when I got the call,” she said.
“I’m so grateful for … both my parents and my whole family’s support, whether it be with my career pathway, or even my school pathway, choosing VET, taking an alternative course, they’ve been nothing but supportive the whole time.”
Education Minister Sabine Winton said Holly and Cohen were “extraordinary people who are being recognised for their incredible success”.
“Their journey has been a long, determined, and successful one supported by family and friends from when they first arrived in Kindy,” she said.
“Whilst Willetton Secondary College and Rossmoyne Secondary College are particularly celebrating today, it’s an important day for all teachers around the state to be recognised and celebrated for the incredible work that they do.”
In total, 4152 awards were handed out to 3771 students – 52 general exhibitions, one general exhibition (ATSI), one special general award, 38 subject exhibitions and one special subject award.
The schools with the highest number of general exhibition winners were Perth Modern School with 21, Rossmoyne Senior High School with five, and Christ Church Grammar School and Methodist Ladies’ College, both with four.
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