Community, Development and Alumni ONU Centennial Trust Award The ONU Centennial Trust Award was established in 1995 to recognise Old Boys who have excelled in a chosen field while also contributing to the community in a meaningful way. This year the ONU recognised Mr Matthew Han (ON 2014). Dr Rod Thomas (ON 1960), Mr Matthew Han (ON 2014) and Dr David Mulford (Headmaster) Upon leaving Newington in 2014, Matthew identify potential opportunities for the International Baccalaureate with a was accepted at the University of Queensland businesses. At the end of perfect score of 45. He credits the IB Cambridge to study Human, Social and the four weeks, Matthew had produced with helping him discover his passion to Political Sciences. Matthew achieved a an 81-page report and his findings and understand the dynamics of human triple First and has accepted an offer fromrecommendations now underpin the society and the causes and the London School of Economics to study Queensland Government’s bio and consequences of human action. for an MSc in Public Policy. Matthew is onehealth strategy for Korea. The ONU Centennial Trust will aid of the few students to achieve a First in Matthew credits his time at Newington Matthew in completing his Master’s at every year of his studies at Cambridge. with giving him the initial spark of London School of Economics. Matthew It is Matthew’s passion for policy curiosity and the foundations to build hishopes to then return to Australia to begin research and design that has led him to life. In Matthew’s words, ‘Unparalleled work in the Department of the Prime undertake his Master’s. Matthew has teaching, facilities and the College ethosMinister and Cabinet or the Department spent the last four years focussed not inspired me to be thinking beyond my of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of only on the academic but also on the immediate and personal sphere and their graduate scheme. The ONU practical application of public policy. compelled me into questioning how my Centennial Trust Panel viewed Matthew Matthew managed an infrastructure actions can contribute to a greater as an outstanding candidate for the project in rural Kenya which saw the society.’ 2018 award. The ONU congratulates installation of water and gas into While at Newington Matthew completed Matthew and wishes him much success. laboratories and the expansion of library spaces. This gave him first-hand experience of how the leadership of development projects can have an What are you grateful for? ongoing effect on the greater community Lachlan Walsh (10/MA) and also helped him develop a deep appreciation of the dynamism that policy I am grateful for the experiences that Newington College provides me and the creation and implementation require. chances that it allows me to take. From the sporting opportunities to the In August 2016 Matthew was chosen to academic possibilities, I know I’ll be set up for the rest of my life. I am extremely undertake a four-week internship at the grateful for my family as I know without them I couldn’t do anything I do or Queensland Government’s Trade and manage my life the way it is without them. I know they would give the world for Investment Office in Seoul, Republic of me and I would 100 per cent give it back for them. Especially my mum, as she is Korea. During this internship Matthew so involved with my AFL club and I know without her being both team manager was asked to prepare a report on and treasurer I wouldn’t be able to play at the level I do and as much as I do. Korea’s bio and health sectors and 46| NEWS SPRING 2018| GRATITUDE