"The South Australian Governor’s Reception was a brilliant opportunity to meet our fellow NYSF participants, and hear some inspiring words from His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le."
Throughout October, state Governors around Australia host morning and afternoon teas for students selected to participate in the NYSF 2020 Year 12 Program. With 600 students selected to participate in the program next January, these events allow them to celebrate their selection with fellow NYSF participants, Student Staff Leaders and the Rotary members who selected them and members of the NYSF staff and Board. The connections they make at events like the Governors Receptions makes the time away from home less daunting when they attend the program. We thank the Governors of Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia and the Northern Territory Administrator for supporting the students and the NYSF Year 12 Program.
The first reception was hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Kate Warner AC and Mr Warner in Tasmania. Declan Night will be attending session C in January and had only positive things to say about the Tasmanian reception:
"The Tasmanian Governor’s Reception was a fantastic opportunity to meet the fellow Tasmanian attendees and learn more about what NYSF is all about. In addition to being able to meet other lucky successful applicants, we are able to speak with NYSF staff and representatives from the local university and scientific community. Her Excellency Prof. the Hon Kate Warner AC spoke on the importance of girls’ inclusion in STEM fields and the impact of events like NYSF. This event surely planted seeds of excitement in the Tasmanian cohort and it was great to meet everyone in preparation for the program."
The Tasmanian students with the Her Excellency, the Honourable Kate Warner AC and NYSF CEO, Dr Melanie Bagg
His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs de Jersey hosted a morning tea in Queensland. Jasmine Peak will be attending session C in January and had this to say about the Queensland reception:
"The Queensland Governor's Reception for 2020 NYSF students was an exciting event for all involved. It was so amazing to be in a room with so many people who shared the same passions as me while also enjoying an assortment of delicious savoury canapés. The Queensland Governor His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, and his wife Mrs Kaye de Jersey joined the students who discussed their future scientific endeavours. The day was very enjoyable and has defiantly made me more excited about the future in my NYSF journey."
Queensland students and guests with His Excellency, The Honourable Paul de Jersey, Rotary members and representatives of the NYSF Board.
Unfortunately His Excellency the Honourable Kim Beazley AC and Ms Susie Annus were unable to attend the afternoon tea they prepared for the students. We thank the Honourable Wayne AC, Lieutenant Governor for stepping in to host the Western Australia Governors Reception. Juliana Gouveia will be attending the Brisbane session of the program and had this to say about the WA reception:
"It was a wonderful opportunity to talk to other students from Perth who are also attending NYSF next year and to get to know them. While the governor was unable to attend, we had a nice time getting a small tour of his house and learning about his job."
Students, Rotary Members, NYSF Board members and guests with The Honourable Wayne AC, Lieutenant Governor
Nevie Peart attended the afternoon tea in South Australia hosted by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC and Mrs Le, and had this to say about the reception:
"The South Australian Governor’s Reception was a brilliant opportunity to meet our fellow NYSF participants, and hear some inspiring words from His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le. We spent some time wandering through the public areas of the house, and the opportunity to mingle left everyone with a sense of excitement and pride about the NYSF."
Students with The Honourable Hieu Van Le
The final Governors Reception was held in the Northern Territory, and hosted by the Administrator of the NT, The Honourable Vicki O'Halloran AO and Mr O'Halloran. Two students were selected to participate in the Year 12 Program from the Northern Territory, creating a more intimate event. Her Honour spoke about the importance of science, and NYSF alumna Faiza Chowdhury spoke about her experience in the 2019 Year 12 Program. Harry Langdon attended the event in Darwin and had this to say:
"Being invited to the Northern Territories 2020 NYSF Governor’s Reception and having the opportunity to meet The Honourable Viki O’Halloran was a very unique and incredible experience I will remember long into the future. Although we are very small in the NT, having the opportunity to meet others like myself and to meet the other Rotaries of the NT has been a very exciting experience and I am incredibly excited to the future opportunities offered by the NYSF program."
NYSF future participant Jeremy with The Honourable Vicki O'Halloran, Faiza Chowdhury, and even organiser Sabaratnam Prathapan
The NYSF would like to thank everyone who attended these events, including students, student staff leaders, Rotary representatives, and invited guests. The Governors' Receptions allow students to meet each other before attending the NYSF Year 12 Program in January, and to share their passion for science with the Governors and guests. Thank you to each states Government House for assisting in organising and hosing these events, and making the day special for our students.