2025 Moreton Bay College Medal Recipient
Dr Emily Hielscher

Dr Emily Hielscher began her journey at Moreton Bay College in Year 8 in 2003, where she quickly distinguished herself as a high-achieving and well-rounded student. Her time at the College was marked by outstanding accomplishments across academics, sport, and the arts, reflecting her dedication, leadership and passion for excellence.

Emily’s academic excellence was recognised early, earning Full Colours for Academics in her first year. She continued to receive Half and Third Colours for academic performance throughout her time at MBC, including multiple Credits in the Australian Mathematics Competition.

Her sporting achievements were equally impressive. Emily was a key member of the College’s cross country, hockey, athletics, and touch football teams. She earned Full Colours in Cross Country and Hockey and was named Most Valuable Player in several sports. She represented the College at district and state levels, including selection for the Metropolitan East and Composite District teams. In her senior year, she served as Vice-Captain of Cross Country and Captain of the Open Hockey Team, leading her teams to premiership victories and state-level competitions.

Emily also contributed to the arts, earning Third Colours for Drama and participating in the Interschool Theatresports Team.

After graduating in 2007, Emily pursued a career in psychology and mental health research. She completed a first-class honours degree in Psychology and went on to earn a PhD in Psychiatric Epidemiology at the University of Queensland. Her research has focused on critical areas such as youth mental health, suicide prevention, and support for carers of individuals with mental illness.

Emily has worked with the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and has led and contributed to national projects that inform mental health policy and practice. She has also worked at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, the University of Queensland, and national mental health NGOs including Beyond Blue and Flourish Australia.

Her work has been recognised with innovation grants, including one from Suicide Prevention Australia for her research into regional variability in youth self-harm and suicide attempts.

She continues to collaborate with national mental health organisations, mentor students, and advocate for evidence-based, localised approaches to mental health care. Reflecting on her work, Dr Hielscher shared:

“Urgent action needs to be taken to prevent youth suicides in Australia, and this project is critical to providing evidence that will inform targeted, local youth suicide prevention efforts. We will be combining insights from spatial analyses of national data, and the voice of lived experience.”

Dr Emily Hielscher’s journey from a dedicated student at Moreton Bay College to a nationally recognised mental health researcher is a powerful testament to the impact of perseverance, compassion, and leadership.

The inspiring stories of many of our recipients can be viewed on the Our Graduates page.

MBC Medal recipients

2025 - Dr Emily Hielscher

2024 - Dr Kay Danes OAM

2023 - Elizabeth Morgan-Brett Oly

2022 - Honourable Anika Wells MP

2021 - Miss Oriel Handley OAM

2020 - Dr Alex Schumann-Gillett

2019 – Sister Melissa Dwyer

2018 - Ms Shannon Parry OAM

2017 - Ms Brooke Connell

2016 - Ms Melissa Anderson

2015 - Dr Jillian Charker (nee Smythe)

2014 - Dr Cheryl Desha

2013 - Mrs Jessie Vasey, OBE, CBE (nee Halbert)

2012 - Mrs Judy James (nee Emmerson)

2011 - Ms Annette Allison

2010 - Dr Valerie Looi

2009 - Dr Natasha Hendrick, Mrs Bronwyn Herbert (nee Irvine)

2008 - Mrs Joy Nugent (nee McClintock)

2007 - Mrs Shirley Weder (nee Woods)

2006 - Ms Donna Duggan

2005 - Mrs Bobby Connelly (nee Searle)

2004 - The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO (nee Strachan)