Gunnedah’s Guy Barker has secured his place at the University of NSW (UNSW) with an ATAR of 98.35.
The Calrossy Anglican School student said he was “over the moon” about his score and is now preparing to move to Sydney where he will take on a four-year degree in mechanical engineering.
“I was surprised,” Guy said.
“Based off our trial marks, we had a predicted ATAR we could get and I ended up getting a bit better than that.”
The 18-year-old attended St Xavier’s in primary before enrolling at Calrossy’s William Cowper campus where he has been named dux. He ranked second overall at Calrossy.
Guy’s highest marks in the Higher School Certificate were in physics (95), engineering studies (95) and extension one maths (90).
“I’d known since Year 11 that physics was my strongest subject and it was the subject I felt the most confident in,” Guy said.
“I didn't realise I was going to do so well in engineering studies.”
I learnt to weld when I was 7 years old; I was always building and fixing things.
- Guy Barker
Guy’s dad, Gunnedah resident Geoff, said he was “pleasantly surprised and very proud” of his son. Guy stays with his father on his farm at Goran Lake on the weekends and it was here that the teen discovered a love of "tinkering”.
“I learnt to weld when I was 7 years old; I was always building and fixing things,” Guy said.
“It’s definitely what I want to do. It’s what I’m passionate about.
“Eventually, I’d either like to work in the automotive sector or in motor sport or in research and development engineering – applying scientific development to develop new products.”
Guy will pursue this passion over four years, with the help of three scholarships from UNSW, which total $35,000.
“Originally I had planned to go to Newcastle just because UNSW and Sydney University are expensive,” he said.
“The cost of living, as you can imagine, is quite terrifying.
“[The Co-op Scholarship] is a very sought after scholarship in graduates so it will definitely help me in the long run.”
Guy has already sorted out accommodation on campus and will move to Sydney in the new year.
“It will definitely be a steep learning curve. I haven't been to Sydney that much in my life,” he said.
“It will be a bit different to being out on the farm but I will keep coming home as much as I can.
“It will be an experience that’s for sure.”
