Penrith students honoured with Victor Chang School Science Awards

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Thirty-one senior students from Penrith high schools were recognised last night for their academic excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the Victor Chang School Science Awards hosted by Penrith City Council.

Named in honour of the late Dr Victor Chang, a pioneering cardiac surgeon and visionary of modern heart transplantation, the awards celebrate the achievements of gifted Year 11 students and aim to inspire future careers in STEM.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney praised the students for their dedication and highlighted the region’s growing reputation as a hub for scientific innovation.

“Science drives innovation in almost every field—from curing disease to transforming communication. These awards honour Dr Victor Chang’s legacy and remind us just how vital our scientists are to shaping a better world,” Cr Carney said.

“Penrith is fast becoming a centre of excellence in health, education and research. The Quarter is just one place in our City that offers incredible opportunities for young minds to thrive in STEM careers.

"I congratulate the outstanding students recognised for their dedication, curiosity and hard work. They have shown the kind of determination that will shape the future of science and innovation in Australia.”

Nowe in its 21st year, the science awards are presented annually to Year 11 students across New South Wales, Western Australia, and for the first time this year, Victoria. Students are nominated by their teachers for their commitment and excellence in subjects such as Biology, Physics and Chemistry, with a maximum of two nominees per school.

Dr Jeanette Villanueva of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and former student of Emmaus Catholic College shared her admiration for the recipients:

“I hope every pupil who receives a Victor Chang School Science Award feels proud of what they have achieved. A career in STEM is one of the most fulfilling jobs imaginable. At the Institute, we push the boundaries of science every day by being creative and curious. All the winners displayed an exceptional commitment to their studies, and I have no doubt that many of them will go on to become the scientific leaders of the future.”

The Quarter, a 300-hectare health and education precinct spanning Penrith to St Marys, offers state-of-the-art medical education, research facilities and advanced robotics, creating fertile ground for the next generation of scientific leaders.

Photo captions:
PCC_Victor_ChangAwards_2025 1 - Penrith Mayor Todd Carney and Dr Jeanette Villanueva of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
PCC_Victor_ChangAwards_2025 2 - Dr Jeanette Villanueva, a former student of Emmaus Catholic College speaking on the type of research performed by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
PCC_Victor_ChangAwards_2025 3 - Thirty-one senior students from Penrith high schools recognised for their academic excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 20 August 2025.