Medals three of a kind in Peel family

Medals three of a kind in Peel family

Good things certainly come in threes in the Peel family - mother Nancye and two of her three daughters, Jacqueline and now Christine, have all been awarded University of Queensland medals for academic achievement.

Christine (telephone 07 3243 7451) will be awarded her medal at a May 27 ceremony after completing her bachelor of chemical engineering with honours last year. She is now working as a process engineer with BP in Brisbane.

"BP offer a diverse range of opportunities to expand and cultivate a career in chemical engineering and foster the development of their employees," she said.

She said maintaining a balanced lifestyle had been the key to achieving her Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.89 (out of a possible seven).

"I played hockey and went to the gym frequently while studying. Healthy body, healthy mind," she said.

"My Dad (Henry) was also a great influence. He always supports our actions and lets us discover the worth of our career moves. I look at him as a guider not an authoritarian parent."

Her sister Jacqueline (telephone 07 3334 3513) has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and intends to complete postgraduate studies in international environmental law.

She was awarded a University medal for her combined science and law degree in 1997 and has worked as an articled clerk for Brisbane law firm Allen Allen and Hemsley. She has recently been admitted as a solicitor in Queensland.

Both Christine and Jacqueline attended Brisbane Girls Grammar School.

Nancye (nee Perry-Keene), a former Bundaberg State High School student, graduated with a University medal for her bachelor of physiotherapy degree with honours in 1968.

She now works as a senior research officer with the University's Healthy Ageing Unit in the Social and Preventive Medicine Department (telephone 07 3365 5383).

The University of Queensland connection does not end with Nancye, Jacqueline and Christine either. Mr Peel graduated with a bachelor of architecture in 1969 and the family's youngest daughter Trisha completed a year of a bachelor of science degree at the University before transferring to study medicine at Melbourne University in 1997.