Welcome to the 2025 HSC Showcase. This evening is one of the true highlights of our school calendar, a time when our wider community comes together to celebrate the culmination of the Major Work journey for our HSC students across a diverse range of courses.
And what a journey it has been! From the spark of an idea through planning, testing, creating, making, rehearsing and finally realising their vision, the process of bringing a major work to life is anything but easy. It is a path marked by tears, meltdowns, epiphanies, laughter and ultimately, reward.
While there are always nerves about how a work will be received and judged, it is the sense of fulfilment that lingers longest for our students. This joy in the process is something we witness year after year and it is our hope that the Class of 2025 feels that same sense of accomplishment tonight.
Of course, this journey is not taken alone. Teachers, family and friends have walked alongside our students every step of the way. It would be remiss not to offer heartfelt thanks to all who have supported, encouraged and guided them as they brought their ideas to life and now proudly share their talents with us this evening.
fall OUT (Group)
Devised and performed by Alexander Hearn, Harrison Lucas, Emily Ryland
We chose to work on an absurdist dystopian performance questioning our repetitive history of world leaders and the political worlds they create for us.
THE CARETAKER (Individual)
By Harold Pinter
Performed by Alexander Hearn
I chose this emotive piece to reflect society’s treatment of those who find the strength to speak up, even if it goes against the grain.
KICK PUSH (Individual)
Video by Harrison Lucas
Skateboarding is freedom on four wheels. This video portrays one teenager’s choice to escape the stresses life surrounds him with by riding his skateboard.
GIRL ASLEEP (Individual)
Costume Design by Emily Ryland
Costume design for four characters from a surrealist play exploring the roller-coaster ride that is adolescence.
HANDMADE BAG
Grace Harris
My major work is a handmade bag crafted from grey cotton canvas with a deep red-maroon polyester lining. The design focuses on textile art rather than apparel, highlighting decoration over function, though the bag is fully usable with handmade handles. The surface features freehand embroidery, created without a pattern or drawing, combined with beading and a crocheted tassel.
The inspiration for this piece was the preservation and conservation of Australia’s rare, threatened and endangered flowers. Through detailed surface design, I sought to convey both beauty and femininity, while emphasising the importance of protecting our natural environment.
WHAT SHE GAVE, WE GREW
Lillianna McLean
Painting
(Acrylic on timber)
These paintings are a tribute to a home. Not built by wood but built by people. By the people who nurtured my knowledge and taught me the depth of unconditional love. The blooming flowers trace the passing of time and outline how my mother, grandmother and I have grown up and grown old together. They reflect the importance of family and the role it plays in shaping identity. This series records moments that might otherwise be forgotten. It reminds me of where I come from and the people who continue to guide me.
ARIE DE VISER
Jade Matterson
Drawing (Ink, pen, and acrylic on 300gsm watercolour paper)
I have created two panels which represent the two lives my grandfather lived. Firstly, in the Netherlands and secondly, after he emigrated to Australia. Ink, fine pen illustrations and acrylic are used to highlight significant details and memories of the landscapes in a dreamlike manner, taking inspiration from artists such as Marc Chagall.
THE WHISPERING WOODS
Grace Harris
Painting (Watercolour on 300gsm watercolour paper)
I have taken inspiration from childhood picture books, particularly those of Shirley Barber. Fine and intricate detail through the medium of watercolour is a form of art making that ties in with my interests and personality. The integration of watercolour and 3D form expresses the depth and significance of the longstanding influence that the magic of Shirley Barber has had on my life.
SONDER
Jessie Frize
Oil Painting & Photography (Oil paint on ply, photography)
The artwork embodies the concept of sonder: the realisation that each passerby carries a life as rich, complex and layered as our own, a life that may not be seen at first glance.
I DRAWED THIS
Harrison Lucas
Illustration (Posca marker and spray paint on wood canvas)
An expression of things that bring colour and joy to my life expressed in a format that resonates with my personal style of creativity.
WITHIN THESE WALLS
Zara Bourke
Sculpture (Laser cut ply with embroidery)
This triptych explores the symbolism of domestic spaces as reflections of human experience and emotion. Each room, kitchen, bedroom and living room, represents a different facet of everyday life. The kitchen symbolises nourishment, routine and the rituals that sustain us. The bedroom represents intimacy, rest and the private self, a space of vulnerability and reflection. The living room conveys connection, comfort and community, where relationships and identities are shared.
INTERLUDE
Amelia Rawson
Film
This artwork explores snowboarding as a source of nourishment for the soul. Noticing the smaller details, such as the light glittering on the snow and the drops melting off the snow gum leaves contribute to my overall passion for the sport. This film works with the soundtrack to encapsulate these elements through the differing paces of the experience of snowboarding, highlighting the slow moments, as well as the moments of adrenaline.
BOUND
Bella Caddy-Gammell
Painting (Oil on Canvas)
This artwork explores touch as a language, how hands, skin and closeness can communicate emotions that cannot be expressed through words. The hands show intimacy, not just as something tender, but also as something conflicting, complicated and deep. The paintings together reflect this nature of intimacy. They are passionate, comforting as they are bound all together. However, they can also be seen as suffocating, messy and contradicting. The work reveals that the connection between people is never simple, it is so much more.
JOCELYN
Emily Ryland
Painting
(Oil
on Canvas)
This artwork explores the impact my grandmother has had on my life and in turn, explores more pointed elements of her own life. Our lives are deeply intertwined so I have created portraits significant to that relationship, surrounded by smaller moments.
CROSSING THE RUBICON
Finn Martin
Painting (Oil on Canvas)
This artwork represents a nightmare scape. A scene of a room packed with elements creates an overwhelming sense of darkness. The more you look, the more detail you see and the more you are haunted.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Mia Godward
Photography (Photographs on timber, plaster cast hands)
This piece contrasts the calm of the landscapes that surround me, with the storm and violence they can also demonstrate. A link is drawn between human emotion, calm and volatile nature with casts of my own hands, represented through their positioning.
SHARED TRACKS
Aiden Moore
Drawing (Graphite pencil on paper)
I have illustrated two images of trains to represent my family’s longstanding fascination with trains. My great grandfather, grandfather, father and I share this mutual interest. It is a key part of our relationship and is deeply important to me, so I illustrated trains for this piece to represent a pivotal element of our relationships.
OUTPOST
Retrofitted Pod Campers
Harrison Bailey
My motivation for this project is based around my passion for travel and adventure sports.
Design Brief
Design and after-market modular product for a pod trailer. When in use, it will provide free use of the roof racks for large items by implementing a tent into the trailer rather than on the roof racks.
SURF-ICIANT DESIGNS
Beach Shower Designs
Sarah Donovan
My motivation for this project was to improve the current design of beach showers.
Design Brief
Create a design that improves the current beach shower to accommodate surfers with a stand that holds their boards while they shower.
FIRE PIERCER
Fire Hose Ceiling Adapter
Oscar Ingle
My motivation for this project was inspired by my dad, who is a fire fighter. He tells me stories of experiences he has had fighting fires and explained the dangers of internal roof fires. This led me to design an ‘roof piercer’ adapter that pierces the ceiling and sprays water more efficiently into the roof cavity.
Design Brief
Design a retrofitted metal extension shaft with a sharp point to pierce the ceiling where a fire exists in the roof cavity and spray water immediately onto the fire.
TRAIL RISE
Equestrian Trail Mounting System
Taylah Klemm
My motivation has come from trail riding with my mum who has a large horse and sometimes struggles to mount her horse due to mobility issues.
Design Brief
Design a product to improve accessibility for riders who struggle to mount their horse with a block. The product will offer a functional, space saving alternative to bulky mounting blocks by being collapsible and portable. It will be designed with aesthetics in mind to complement a rider’s saddle and gear.
VELTRIX
Equestrian Safety
Joshua May
My motivation for this product centres around my lifelong involvement and love for equestrian sports. My understanding and appreciation for safety equipment that protects both horse and rider has led me to design a detachable rein system.
Design Brief
Design a safety device for the equestrian market in the form of a separate attachment that will integrate with traditional riding reins to minimise the risk of entanglement. The system will feature a quickrelease mechanism that automatically detaches when subjected to a specific tension threshold.
SENTINEL
Indoor Plant Irrigation System
Lillianna McLean
My motivation for this product stems from my childhood growing up with a nursery of plants in my backyard and indoors. Managing plants while away has always been an issue with nothing on the market that can take care of watering plants for a prolonged period.
Design Brief
To promote indoor plant ownership by designing a watering system for indoor house plants that will allow them to survive extended periods of time without regular watering. A controlled drip system will intermittently water the plants from a separate ceramic vessel holding the water. By using ceramics and timber the design offers a structure aimed to appeal to mid-century modern aesthetics.
RAIL ROVER
Heritage Rail Track Inspection Vehicle
Aiden Moore
My motivation for this project came from my involvement as a volunteer of the Cooma Monaro Railway, a heritage and tourist railway and museum. Part of my volunteer work requires ongoing assessment of track conditions and required maintenance. My product is designed to assist and streamline what is a labour intensive and slow process.
Design Brief
Design an automated track inspection vehicle specifically for heritage and tourist railways. The product will be capable of autonomously scanning the track bed to detect defects or faults while digitally recording data.
LEARNER LIGHT
L Plate Rear Night Light
Maxwell Murdoch
My motivation for this project has come from personal experience as a learner driver driving at night time. Tailing an ‘L’ driver can lead to heightened anxieties for the learner driver. My product aims to raise awareness earlier for approaching drivers coming up to a learner driver.
Design Brief
Develop a safety device that enhances the visibility of a learner plate to other road users by shining a bright yellow light onto the ground behind the car. The product will be a sleek, black, durable, pocketsized box, which illuminates a yellow light.
POUCH
Wildlife Roadside Assistance Kit
Tulli Oayda
My motivation for this project has been primarily driven by my family and the animal-loving nature I have grown-up surrounded by. The number of dead marsupials hit by cars on the side of the roads in the area is prolific. This has led me to design a wildlife roadside assistance kit to promote the safe management of dead and injured animals for your everyday driver.
Design Brief
Create a product and app to educate and assist people in checking pouches of marsupial roadkill. The app will contain instructions, location-based help numbers and will record hit location. The product will contain all the necessary equipment to check pouches and shortterm care for joeys.
Effect of Glyphosate herbicide on Chlorella sp.
Morgan Tonkin
Chlorella is a small alga found in many aquatic regions. It is subject to inhibition as a result of herbicides entering the waterways. Glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide, was tested to see the effects it had on Chlorella sp. Chlorella was grown in a bold basal medium, then varying concentrations of Roundup (a glyphosate containing commercial herbicide) were added to determine their effects. The absorption was measured using a spectrometer. It was determined that at small enough concentrations, chlorella was able to continue a normal growth path, following the initial inhibition as a result of the glyphosate, likely due to the decreased time for this concentration to break down to negligible levels.
Determining the extent of honey as an inhibitor for spore-forming and non-spore-forming organisms to simulate the effect of honey on the risk of infantile botulism.
William Broe
Honey commonly contains pathogens due to its propensity for environmental contamination by worker bees and other pollutants. Despite this, honey has been shown to have proven antimicrobial effects mainly credited to its acidity, osmolarity and enzymatic generation of hydrogen peroxide via glucose oxidase as a catalyst.
Contamination of honey by Botulism Neuro Toxin (BoNT) producing clostridia spores is a proven cause of infantile botulism. These spores are widespread in soil, dust and aquatic sediments and while infants (and all people) are consistently exposed on a daily basis, infants have a significant level of threat due to the underdevelopment of their intestinal flora.
The concept behind this research is to use B. subtilis as a surrogate organism for C. botulinum (due to it being spore forming) and to quantify the growth of the surrogate before and after spores are formed. This allows a model of BoNT spore forms with and without spores formed, allowing conclusions to which spore formers can detrimentally effect infants without the ability to kill spores in the intestinal lumen. The result of the study has been a qualitative trend of higher inhibition of un-sporulated bacteria than sporulated bacteria which supports the hypothesised outcome. However, more extensive and stringent testing is needed to confirm this trend on a larger scale and to refine the methodology to limit the competition of variables and the resultant effects on trend analysis.
Microbial degradation of fire ant control chemicals in soil.
James Peake
The rapid spread of fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) across eastern Australia has prompted widespread pesticide use, particularly chemicals like pyriproxyfen and hydramethylnon.
While effective for ant control, these compounds pose potential risks to soil ecosystems, especially microbial communities critical to nutrient cycling and ecological stability. This investigation will examine how soil microbes respond to pesticide exposure under varying nutrient conditions by putting environmental samples in minimal media enriched with either carbon or nitrogen. Over eight weeks, successive transfers were used to promote growth of pesticide tolerant or degrading microorganisms. DNA sequencing revealed distinct bacteria in each condition: taxa such as Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Leclercia dominated carbon enriched cultures, while Stenotrophomonas, Clostridium and Kosakonia were prominent in nitrogen enriched environment.
Fungal eukaryotes, particularly Fusarium oxysporum, grew in carbon based media, forming dense mats that may have supressed bacterial diversity. While direct chemical degradation was not confirmed, many of the detected taxa are linked in literature to pesticide metabolism. These findings support the potential role of soil microbes in bioremediation and suggest nutrient context shapes both microbial diversity and resilience. Further studies are recommended to confirm active degraders and better inform the sustainability of fire ant control strategies.
Examining
the effect of sweeteners and alcohol sugars on common gut microorganisms.
Alexandria Quinn
The widespread use of sweeteners and sugar alcohols, such as xylitol and saccharin, as Western society attempts to restrict sugar in their diets, has raised concerns about the potential effects on the human gut microbiome, particularly how the gut microbiome reacts to this new ‘sugar substitute’ as a source of energy. This report aimed to assess whether NNS (non-nutritional sugars) influence the growth of common gut microorganisms, using common gut organisms including Ecoli (K12), Enterobacter sp., E.faecium and Saccharomyces boulardii. Results revealed no significant growth differences in E. coli or Enterobacter sp. across treatments.
However, E. faecium and S. boulardii showed statistically significant reductions in growth at higher concentrations of both xylitol and saccharin, suggesting potential inhibitory effects. The data does not support the hypothesised results, but rather the opposite, as the microorganisms do not readily adapt to these alternative carbon sources and instead exhibit reduced growth, especially under high concentrations. While limited in scope, this research suggests the need for further investigation, perhaps in a whole genome of microbiota, particularly given their increasing prevalence in modern diets and their potential links to broader metabolic and physiological outcomes.
Aerodynamics in Different Atmospheric Densities.
Timothy Dymond
Aircraft rely on lift to stay airborne and atmospheric density is a crucial part in how much lift is produced. This experiment tested the effect of gas density and lift by using a wind tunnel and comparing three gases: air, carbon dioxide and helium. Lift was measured using a scale under different wind speeds. The results show that the less dense the gas, the less lift is produced. However, the results for carbon dioxide were not as reliable and did not show a clear trend. This shows the relevance of atmospheric density when designing vehicles for different planetary environments.
SILLAGE
Amelia Rawson
A poetic suite of scent-inspired vignettes tracing innocence, memory and identity. Influenced by Proust’s reflections on aroma and memory, Amelia channels her personal experiences into verse. The work captures how fragrance lingers like memory, shaping the self across time in a metaphysical journey from childhood vitality to mature reflection.
STAR TRAVELLER, MIDNIGHT BABBLER
James Broe
A deeply personal poetic exploration of love, loss and self-discovery. James’ work embodies emotional rawness and stylistic evolution. Through appropriation, refinement and reflection, the suite reveals how stagnation in life contrasts with growth as a writer, capturing the turbulence of intimacy and transition.
THE FOOL
Finn Martin
A critical response blending mysticism, philosophy and literary appropriation to interrogate truth, freedom and conscience. Emerging from past creative “failures” and reinventions, Finn reframes the archetype of the Fool as a symbol of radical authenticity. Drawing on horror and myth, the work embraces hybridity, creating a layered meditation on originality, folly and human instinct against rational control.
KIERA DISCH - VOCALS / VIOLIN
Girl Song (Voice)
Swing & Swang (Violin)
Humoresque (Violin)
La Cenerntola (Violin)
I chose these pieces because they each reflect different parts of my musical journey and allow me to show versatility across both violin and voice. On violin, Swing & Swang gave me the chance to explore jazz-inspired rhythms, while Humoresque highlights expressive phrasing and Romantic style. La Cenerentola was both technically challenging and rewarding, letting me push my skills further. Girl Song really resonated with me because of its emotional depth. Ultimately, I wanted to select music that would stretch me as a performer and highlight the joy I find in both voice and violin.
HARRISON BAILEY - CELLO
Goombungee
Harlequinade
In the Name of Love
Zombie
Goombungee explores the wide range of sounds and expressive capabilities of the cello. Inspired by the Indigenous Australian tradition of clapping sticks, the piece translates this percussive element onto the cello through knocking techniques, creating a distinctive and powerful effect.
TULLI OAYDA - VOCALS / GUITAR
Loved by You
From the Start
Dear Mr President
It’s a Man’s World
My song choices explore a wide range of emotions. From the Start captures the sweet awkwardness of an unspoken crush and the yearning it brings, while Loved by You carries a sense of vulnerability and longing reflecting the true desire of being loved. Dear Mr President offers a powerful political commentary. Each piece allowed me to connect with different moods and messages, from playful to profound.
ALEXANDER HEARN - VOCALS / GUITAR
Vincent
How Deep is Your Love Venice Queen
Don’t Forget Me
Vincent – Chosen for its beautiful meaning.
How Deep Is Your Love – Selected for its outstanding chord progression, one of the best in music.
Venice Queen – I enjoy the challenge and creativity of switching guitars halfway through.
Don’t Forget Me – A fitting and meaningful way to conclude my music journey at SMGS.
JACK HELLYAR - TRUMPET
My Way
Superstition
Misty
Fanfare
Misty is a slow and expressive piece that I’ve loved for a long time, it creates a great platform for me to play around and really bring life to the piece.
My Way is a classic piece known by many. I have chosen this piece because it is close to people’s hearts and has a lot a sentimental value.
Superstition is a recognisable and fun piece that lets me show off rhythmic accuracy and the energy of the piece.
I chose Fanfare because it shows slow and controlled classical style techniques, allowing me to greatly show my range and ability.
Staff Reflections
DRAMA
HSC Drama enables individual students to reflect on their own life experiences and explore the world around them. It offers them the opportunity to express themselves creatively whilst challenging them to push boundaries in a safe environment. At the same time, HSC Drama students must work together. While this can be difficult for some, this class celebrated their differences and supported each other’s divergent interests and skills. They were keen to portray real life issues and make their audiences’ feel uncomfortable in order to provoke important conversations. Conversations that are important to them. HSC Drama should be a vehicle for a voice.
Mrs Catherine Batson
VISUAL ARTS
The HSC Visual Arts class of 2025 has been a joy to guide. Each student brought a unique creative voice, combining imagination, technical skill and thoughtful reflection to produce works that are both personal and powerful. They approached the creative process with courage and persistence, overcoming self-doubt and creative blocks to refine their ideas and bring their visions to life. What stood out most was their generosity in supporting one another and their willingness to take risks with concepts, materials and techniques. I hope the independence, confidence and creativity they have discovered through this journey will continue to inspire them well beyond their time in the studio.
Miss Sidney Tulau
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Mentoring our Year 12 Design and Technology students this year has once again been a privilege. The breadth and depth of their ideas were outstanding, with each student tackling real-world problems through creative and thoughtful design. What impressed me most was their ability to iterate and remain open in their thinking, continually refining their concepts to find the best possible solutions despite the challenges they faced. Supporting them through this process and seeing their ideas come to life has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
Mr Scott Frize
SCIENCE EXTENSION
The HSC Science Extension class of 2025 comprised of highly capable and dedicated students who worked consistently throughout the course to produce some excellent scientific research, in many cases, to a university standard. Most students undertook research in the scientific discipline of microbiology, learning many new skills in that area, with the course enabling students to pursue research outside of this area too. As the teacher and mentor for these students, I could not be more excited by the research they completed and they should be pleased with their accomplishments.
Dr Darryl Nelson
ENGLISH EXTENSION 2
HSC Extension 2 English class of 2025 has been an extraordinary group to guide. Each student has shown courage and imagination in undertaking the challenge of creating an original Major Work that reflects both their personal voice and their intellectual curiosity. Over the course of the year, they have engaged in wide-ranging research, wrestled with complex ideas and refined their craft with persistence and integrity. What has stood out most is their willingness to push beyond comfort zones. They have embraced experimentation, taken risks with language and form and trusted in the creative process even when it felt uncertain. With the support of the English faculty, they transformed raw ideas into sophisticated, polished works. It is our hope that the independence, resilience and confidence they have discovered in shaping their writing will accompany them long after their Extension 2 journey ends.
Ms Anne Jones
MUSIC
The HSC Music 1 class of 2025 has been a joy to witness. Each student brought a unique blend of skill, knowledge and confidence. Watching them grow both individually and together has been truly inspiring. Throughout the year, they’ve supported one another with generosity and care, overcoming their own doubts and comparisons, those quiet voices that say, I’m not good enough or I’ll never perform like them. It’s my hope that the confidence, maturity and grace they have discovered in our Music classroom stays with them long after the final notes are played.
Mrs Sue Sell
Snowy Mountains Grammar School wishes to acknowledge the teachers, staff, parents and friends of our Year 12 students - thank you for supporting them through this process.
