About our 2026 Finalists
Tania Major (Class of 1998)
The Spirit of Clayfield Gold Award – Old Collegian
For service to her profession
Tania, a proud Kokoberra woman, became the youngest person elected to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission at only 23, beginning a path of strong advocacy. She has since become a respected national voice on youth justice, inequality and community‑led reform, supporting families across Cape York and opening opportunities for young people. Named Young Australian of the Year in 2007, she has remained grounded and closely connected to her community. Tania continues to reflect the Clayfield spirit through service‑driven leadership, compassion in action and a steady, inspiring impact.
Meegan McLoughlin (Class of 1988)
The Spirit of Clayfield Gold Award – Old Collegian
For service to her profession
After graduating from Clayfield, Meegan completed a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) at QUT and began her career with Education Queensland, teaching across Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast while completing her Bachelor of Education. She returned to Clayfield as a staff member in 2010, serving across the Junior and Middle Schools and taking on roles including Indigenous Liaison Coordinator, where she worked closely with students from Palm Island and their families.
She went on to contribute in roles such as Lead Teacher, Acting Assistant Head of Learning Development, Head of Youngman House and Head of Careers and Pathways, where she established the Clayfield Futures Expo. Meegan now continues her dedication to student growth as Head of House at Mary MacKillop College.
Katherine Walker (Class of 2004)
The Spirit of Clayfield Gold Award – Old Collegian
For service to her community
Katherine serves as the Teaching Principal of Yetman Public School in northern New South Wales, leading one of the smallest schools in the state. She teaches across multiple year levels, supports students with varied learning needs, oversees curriculum and wellbeing.
In her combined role, she brings a steady and practical approach to the challenges of rural education, ensuring each child is supported in their learning. Living on a station outside Yetman with her family, she reflects the resilience and community focus central to rural life and continues to advocate for opportunities that broaden student horizons.
Grace Shaw (Class of 2015)
The Spirit of Clayfield Green Award – Old Collegian
For service to her profession
Grace, known professionally as Mallrat, has grown from a thoughtful, creative Clayfield student into one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary artists. Her music, marked by vulnerability and originality, has resonated widely, earning sustained success on the Triple J Hottest 100, ARIA Award nominations and a strong international following. Grace uses her platform with purpose — supporting emerging artists and advocating for inclusivity. Despite her success, she remains grounded and acknowledges the influence of her Clayfield education on her creative life.
Beatrice Peters
The Spirit of Clayfield – Community
For service to her community
For eight years, Beatrice was the smiling and friendly face making our Junior School families feel warmly part of our Clayfield community. She contributed wholeheartedly to the life of our Junior School through her support of community events, parent initiatives and committees, including the P&F Association, and particularly the Friends of Junior School Group. Beatrice gave countless hours to activities such as Mother’s and Father’s Day Stalls, Opus Concerts, On the Green, Junior School Discos, Giving Day and the School Fun Run. Her warmth, generosity and genuine care gave every family that special sense of belonging.
John Searle
The Spirit of Clayfield – Community
For service to his community
Since 2020, John has taken on a wide‑ranging and vital role within the Boarding House, supporting staff, boarders and families with unwavering commitment. As the on‑call after‑hours maintenance person, he assists with everything from electrical and plumbing needs to security and even pet care, keeping the Boarding House running smoothly. At the end of every holiday break, he prepares the property with great care, refreshing spaces and creating a warm environment for returning students. John does all of this voluntarily, driven by his dedication to Clayfield, our Boarding community and his support of his wife, Kathryn. His generosity and selfless service truly make the Boarding House feel like home.