Corey Tutt named NSW Young Australian of the Year
Corey Tutt, NSW Young Australian of the Year. Photo credit: Salty Dingo
Deadly Science founder and University Research Assistant Corey Tutt has been named the 2020 NSW Young Australian of the Year.
A Kamilaroi man originally from Dapto, in the Illawarra, Corey started the initiative in 2018. The program provides remote schools with scientific resources and connects young Indigenous people with mentors to encourage their participation in subjects.
While continuing to work his day job at the University鈥檚 , Corey has worked tirelessly to source donated funds and books for Deadly Science and now lives in Gordon. He has so far distributed more than 5,000 books and 70 telescopes to schools across Australia.
He received his award from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at a ceremony held at Sydney鈥檚 Museum of Contemporary Art last night. Event organisers remarked on Corey鈥檚 work to help Indigenous children believe in themselves and understand their environment.
鈥淎s much as it鈥檚 a personal accolade this is something we should all celebrate,鈥� said Corey. 鈥淓ven though it鈥檚 my name on the trophy, it鈥檚 for everyone.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to keep chugging along and keep achieving things. We鈥檙e going to get kids from school into uni. We鈥檙e going to achieve a lot.鈥�
鈥淭his award is worthy recognition of Corey鈥檚 remarkable work,鈥� said Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence AC.
鈥淗is efforts to engage with more than 90 schools nationwide to inspire interest in STEM-related subjects are simply astounding.
鈥淐orey is a true inspiration to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia and the entire University of Sydney community.鈥�
鈥淐orey manages this project himself, on top of his role with the University,鈥� said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver. 鈥淭hat makes him and his work particularly generous and special.
鈥淐orey is an incredibly energetic young man, who is channelling his enthusiasm for science in a really constructive way. It鈥檚 efforts like Corey鈥檚 that can make a real change, building interest in STEMM subjects among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country.鈥�
Deadly Science has gained global acclaim; its promotional t-shirts have been worn at Oxford University and donors include renowned particle physicist and science communicator Professor Brian Cox.
Following his success in NSW, Corey will be considered for the national Young Australian of the Year award, to be announced in Canberra on 25 January. Previous winners of this award include hip-hop artist Danzal Baker, aka Baker Boy, and footballer Samantha Kerr.
