At the Queensland Certificate (QCE) Achievement Awards earlier this year, Old Boy Lachlan Toovey (2019) was recognised as one of the state’s top academic achievers. Being awarded the Highest Achievement by an Aboriginal Student or Torres Strait Islander Student is testament to Lachlan’s hard work and excellent academic results. A proud Yalari student who attended Churchie as a boarder, Lachlan made the most of his education at Churchie both in the academic and co-curricular realms. He achieved an OP1 and represented the school with distinction in the First VIII rowing and Second V basketball teams, as well as securing a position in the Schoolboys Division 1 State Rowing Team.

Lachlan was accepted into a Bachelor of Engineering and Commerce at The University of Queensland. In further recognition of his tremendous commitment and achievements, he was recently accepted to Princeton University and after making quick contact with their rowing coaches was asked to join the Princeton Rowing Crew. Lachlan says he is already looking forward to heading over and making some boats move fast.

Inspired by the sacrifices of his family, along with the support he received from Yalari and Churchie, on reflection Lachlan says: “Entering boarding was a turning point in my life and would not have this opportunity today without it.” Ultimately, Lachlan plans to return to his hometown of Dubbo in New South Wales to support his community as a qualified engineer.

Congratulations Lachlan! We wish you every success with your studies and rowing at Princeton.