GUEST SPEAKER - PATRICK PURCELL
The Chair, Terry O'Neill introduced guest speaker Patrick Purcell. Patrick was one of five students to be interviewed by Gordon Curran and John Nisbet at Brauer College in June. All five students were deemed worthy to proceed to the next stage of interviews which took place in Ararat in August. At these interviews Patrick was selected to attend the National Youth Science Forum which is being held in Canberra 2015.
Patrick has since attended the National Youth Science Forum Orientation Program which was held at Federation University, Ballarat in mid-October.
Patrick is the middle child of five, to parents Peter and Maryann. He is 17 years old and studying year 11 at Brauer College. His subjects include advanced general mathematics, chemistry, physics, English and outdoor education.
Patrick also has a keen interest in music, playing both drums and guitar in not one, but two bands. Patrick also holds a CASA approved student pilots license and describes himself as having an inquisitive nature and a passion for science and maths.
Patrick described the process towards his selection to attend the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra next year and thanked Rotary for providing him with this amazing opportunity which he is really looking forward to.
Patrick was then asked a number of questions by those present including the orientation program and what will happen in Canberra 2015. He explained that it involved a 12 day tour of different universities with different groups, i.e. engineering, physics, chemistry and biology. At this stage he is not sure which group he will be in and where they will be staying.
Patrick explained that he finds science exciting and how he enjoys working out how things work in daily life.
When he finishes school Patrick is still unsure about what he will do, but he is interested in going to university, possibly to study engineering or IT.
His band "Tap Water" plays in Warrnambool regularly. They have an album titled "Electric Plugs" coming out in November. When someone asked Patrick whether the album would be a 45 or a 78 they received no response....... naturally.
When asked how Patrick was raising funds for the trip, he explained that he has a part time job and works hard at saving as much as possible. The same applies to flying which he funds from his part time job. Patrick explained that the Warrnambool Airport has an aircraft school and they provide the aircraft to conduct lessons.
Terry thanked Patrick for speaking and it was generally agreed that he would made an ideal candidate, and was wished well for his trip in 2015.