Cheers of ‘we are Ipswich’ rang out as Ipswich State High School received the city’s highest honour.
Hundreds gathered together to support Ipswich State High School as they were given the Keys to the City in a civic ceremony on 21 October.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it was a fitting way to acknowledge the historic triple-title sporting achievement in rugby league the school accomplished this year.
“Ipswich State High School has a long and proud history as a nursery for future rugby league stars and it is clear the next generation of stars will continue to come from Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
“This year, Ipswich State High School has taken its sporting achievements to another level by winning the Allan Langer Cup, Phil Hall Cup and National Schoolboys Cup in the same year and they worked tirelessly to achieve this.
“On behalf of the City of Ipswich I congratulate the school and their supporters for continuing Ipswich’s legacy of producing the best of the best.”
Community, Cultural, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said it was wonderful to see the community turn out to celebrate these young people.
“As we head to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, moments like tonight remind us why sport is so important,” Cr Fechner said.
“The Keys to the City ceremony bought the community together in a shared goal of celebrating the outstanding achievements of a special group of young people and teachers, who climbed to the top and took the city along with them.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the accolade was well deserved after the students’ efforts cemented the school’s reputation as a training ground for future champions.
“We are proud of Ipswich State High School’s achievements, and we thank them for representing Ipswich with honour and continuing our legacy of producing the best league talent in the country, Cr Kunzelmann said.
Moments before the Queensland Schoolboys final where Ipswich State High School win the Phil Hall Cup.
Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said it was great to see the school recognised.
“Some of the previous recipients have included the Ipswich Jets, Broncos Rugby League Football Club – Allan Langer and the Walters brothers were in the team – and now we have honoured the next generation of stars and we wish them well on their future,” Cr Milligan said.
Principal of Ipswich State High School Michelle Campbell accepted the keys on behalf of the school from Mayor Harding.
“All squad members and coaching staff received a medallion to mark the occasion and the Keys to the City have been given pride of place in the centre of our rugby league trophies,” Ms Campbell said.
“I want to thank the City of Ipswich for this honour and our success this year was the result of a decade of hard work and dedication built from our Boys Rugby League Program of Excellence.
“The program provides an elite pathway for rugby league players to develop. However, the core of the program is education and personal growth for these young men. These are the values we are most proud of.”
Watch a video of the Ipswich State High School Opens Rugby League Program
being crowned the National School Boys Champions here.
Ipswich State High School rugby league captain Josiah Pahulu thanked the city for supporting them.
“Getting the keys was outstanding not just for us but for the whole of Ipswich State High School,” Mr Pahulu said.
“Tonight shows how much support we have in the community.
“We were never satisfied; we want to always be students of learning and continue to grow and build leaders and seeing what we have achieved this year makes me excited about the coming years.”
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