Luke O’Sullivan: Winner of the inaugural SkyKelpie Scholarship

I believe I can still reach the same target of being productive and contributing to the agricultural industry despite my injury – it will just take a different form.

SkyKelpie, in partnership with Ability Agriculture, announced earlier in the year that Old Boy Luke O’Sullivan was the recipient of the inaugural SkyKelpie Scholarship. SkyKelpie’s Founder is Luke Chaplain (NCOB 2007), a Nudgee boarder from the country like O’Sullivan. Chaplain hails from Cloncurry and is a fourth generation grazier from North Queensland.

Luke O’Sullivan, 20, lives and works on his family’s 57,000-acre cattle station near Collinsville, Queensland. He comes from a proud Nudgee family, with his brothers Wade (NCOB 2016) and Daniel (NCOB 2023) also attending the College. O’Sullivan was an impressive athlete during his time at Nudgee, playing in the 1st XV Rugby team in his senior year.

Two years ago, O’Sullivan sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. Despite this life-altering event, he remains deeply committed to the agricultural industry and is determined to contribute meaningfully to his family business.

The SkyKelpie Scholarship is an innovative initiative designed to support individuals passionate about agriculture and innovation. The program includes a drone credit of up to $3,000 or a CASA-accredited Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), access to the SkyKelpie Aerial Stockmanship Course, the SkyKelpie Simulator, a ticket to evokeAG 2025, and 12 months of mentorship with the SkyKelpie team.

O’Sullivan’s passion for agriculture is driven by a desire to overcome barriers and explore new ways to adapt his skills and knowledge. “I believe I can still reach the same target of being productive and contributing to the agricultural industry despite my injury – it will just take a different form,” he explains. “This scholarship will help me gain a new skill set to further contribute to the family business and explore innovative methods to perform tasks on the property.”

SkyKelpie’s partnership with Ability Agriculture highlights a shared vision of fostering inclusivity within the agricultural sector. The scholarship program was inspired by SkyKelpie founder Luke Chaplain after he was awarded the Minister’s Emerging Leader Award at the Queensland Agriculture Awards. Instead of keeping the $3,000 prize, Chaplain chose to invest it back into the community.

Reflecting on the initiative, which he plans to make an annual occurrence, Chaplain stated:

“I’m really excited to work with Luke towards achieving some of his goals. His hard work and determination will undoubtedly inspire many others in similar positions.”

Luke O’Sullivan’s story exemplifies resilience, determination, and innovation, making him a fitting recipient of the SkyKelpie Scholarship. As the inaugural recipient, he sets a powerful example of how barriers can be transformed into opportunities through passion, adaptability, and the right support.