Australian Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic representatives are among a group of 34 University of Queensland student-athletes recognised for their sporting achievements at the annual UQ Blues Awards Dinner.
13 Blues – regarded as UQ’s highest sporting honour – were awarded to students for exceptional results at national or international-level competitions across the 2020 and 2021 award periods.
A further 22 Half Blues were awarded for outstanding achievements at state, underage or UniSport-sanctioned events.
Manly Sea Eagles-bound Rugby League player Ethan Bullemor received both a Blue (2021) and Half Blue (2020) after representing the Brisbane Broncos in 25 games across the past two seasons.
Two-time Paralympic Swimmer Rachael Watson was awarded a Blue after winning a gold medal, and breaking a Paralympic record, in the Women’s 50m Freestyle S4 class in Tokyo.
The result saw Ms. Watson defend her 50m Freestyle S4 title, won at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
The Diploma in Science student said the achievement was significant given the circumstances surrounding the COVID pandemic.
“Winning gold at the Tokyo Paralympics was incredible. Just to be there and not have the Games cancelled was a starting point, but to then win gold was just absolutely amazing,” Ms. Watson said.
“I didn’t expect to go back-to-back so to achieve this is a remarkable result not only for myself but for my support team as it shows the hard work they’ve put in to help get me there.”
“Receiving a UQ Blue is a huge honour and this will become one of my most cherished awards as it is a very significant accolade and I am truly humbled.”
Blues recipients also include Tokyo bronze medallist Thomas Neill (Swimming), as well as Olympians Mara Stransky-Smith (Sailing), Kiera Gazzard (Artistic Swimming), and Himeka Onoda (Rhythmic Gymnastics).
Porsche Carrera Cup driver Harri Jones was awarded the first Motorsport Blue in the event’s 109-year history.
The 22-year-old was crowned the 2020 Porsche PAYCE & Michelin Cup champion, while he currently sits third overall in the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship on the back of three podium finishes.
“It’s truly an honour to receive the first-ever UQ Motorsport Blue,” Mr. Jones said.
“To be included in a group with some of the most accomplished young athletes in the country feels surreal.”
“I had a fantastic couple of years between 2018 and 2019 winning two championships back-to-back in Australian Formula 3 and Porsche Sprint Challenge.”
“2020 and 2021 has obviously been interrupted, but we remain a massive chance of winning this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup title.”
UQ’s 2021 Sportspeople of the Year Callum Davies (Athletics) and Natalie Grider (Australian Football) received Blues, while Rebekah Thornton and Madeleine Drew were the inaugural recipients of a Cheerleading Half Blue.
Siblings and Queensland Rugby representatives Joshua Nasser (Blue) and Isabella Nasser (Half Blue) joined their father and former Wallaby, Dr Brendan Nasser (1986 Blue) as an Award recipient.
Blues recipients were also presented with a commemorative Blues Blazer at the event, held at Customs House on Friday 5 October 2021.
ABC Grandstand broadcaster Quentin Hull hosted the Awards, while iconic Australian swimming coach Laurie Lawrence was the evening’s guest speaker.
2020 UQ Blue recipients:
Josh Nasser
Rugby Union
Bachelor of Commerce
2020 UQ Half Blue recipients:
Ethan Bullemor
Rugby League
Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours)
Claire Colwill
Hockey
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
Madeleine Drew
Cheerleading
Bachelor of Science
Jasmine Fleming
Volleyball / Beach Volleyball
Bachelors of Science / Laws (Honours)
Georgia Powell
Swimming
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Rebekah Thornton
Cheerleading
Bachelors of Communications / Journalism
2021 UQ Blue recipients:
Ethan Bullemor
Rugby League
Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours)
Callum Davies
Athletics
Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science (Honours)
Kiera Gazzard
Artistic Swimming
Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours)
Natalie Grider
Australian Football
Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences (Honours)
Harri Jones
Motorsport
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Charli Knott
Cricket
Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours)
Thomas Neill
Swimming
Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours)
Himeka Onoda
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Joseph Ryan
Gymnastics
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Mara Stransky-Smith
Sailing
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Rachael Watson
Swimming
Diploma in Science
Natalie Wright
Rugby Union
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
2021 UQ Half Blue recipients:
Isabella Bauer
Touch Football
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Monique Brummer
Indoor Hockey
Bachelor of Architectural Design
Caitlin Bettenay
Beach Volleyball
Master of Physiotherapy Studies
Gabby Callow
Ultimate Disc
Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Science
Fergus Cummins
Rowing
Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Mathematics
Morgan Grace
Ultimate Disc
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Mac Grealy
Rugby Union
Bachelor of Business Management
Daniel Miller
Surf Lifesaving
Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Computer Science
Isabella Nasser
Rugby Sevens
Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Liam O’Brien
Athletics
Doctor of Philosophy
Jonathan Patchen
Fencing
Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours)
Blake Reinbott
Orienteering
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Grant Reinbott
Orienteering
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Noah Rosemann
Rowing
Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours)
Tatum Stewart
Hockey
Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours)
Shelby Thompson
Ultimate Disc
Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours)
