On Monday 22 June, Prof Tony Haymet delivered the opening address at the Australian Science Olympiads Team announcement in Canberra.

Good morning and thank you for having me back for the announcement of the Australian Science Olympiads team.

I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the Canberra area – the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples – and I extend that respect to all First Nations people here today.

Congratulations to all the students. What an achievement!

To be selected for the International Science, Mathematics and Informatics Olympiads is something truly special. 

These are among the toughest academic competitions in the world, and you are here because of your talent, your discipline, your persistence and, above all, your curiosity.

And that curiosity matters.

Speaking of curiosity, I know our Minister for Science, Senator the Honourable Tim Ayres, very much wanted to be here this morning, as he was last year. And I am glad to hear that you'll be seeing him a bit later in the day.

As for me, right now I am supposed to be chairing the committee that recommends to the Prime Minister his Science Prizes for 2026. But you are more important! And I mean that. Indeed, there may be a future PM’s Prize winner among us here today! So I hope when you win, you’ll remember this meeting we had today. 

Now, curiosity matters to you, because it can take you to remarkable places – and I note that Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Italy and China are among the destinations you’ll be heading to in the coming weeks to compete in your competitions. 

Your curiosity also matters to Australia, because our future will depend on people like you who ask hard questions and tackle difficult problems with drive and persistence. 

I’ve spent much of my life in science. I began as a chemistry student at the University of Sydney, and later worked across research, oceans, climate and innovation in Australia and overseas. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that STEM can take you much further than you might imagine. 

And that’s why today matters so much.

You are not just representing Australia in a very challenging international competition; you’re also the generation that will help shape our future.

As Professor Burton and Dr Smith touched upon earlier, Australia will need more people with deep capability in science, mathematics and technology in the years ahead. People who can respond to climate and energy challenges, and strengthen our health and medical innovation. People who build new industries, use AI wisely, and solve problems we don’t even know about yet.

This is the critical work of the future.

Australia has brilliant researchers, strong institutions and world-class ideas. But talent doesn’t just appear when we need it. It has to be recognised early, encouraged, challenged and backed over time. 

And that’s exactly what programs like these Olympiads do. The Australian Olympiads are supported by the Australian Government through the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program, helping young Australians shine on a global stage.

Regardless of how you perform overseas, you’ve already done something very significant. You’ve shown what young Australians can do when talent meets opportunity, and when you put in the hard work. You should be proud of yourselves. And I’m sure your families and schools, and principals and teachers are as well. 

I also want to acknowledge the people who help make this possible. To the parents and families here today: thank you. Behind every high-achieving young person is a great deal of unseen encouragement, practical support and patience.

To teachers and school communities: thank you for recognising talent and for helping students discover their capabilities.

And to the Australian Maths Trust and Australian Science Innovations, who run the Olympiad selection process with the support of the Australian Government, thank you. You are delivering programs that are academically outstanding and nationally important. And you’re building the future pipeline of young scientists and mathematicians we so desperately need.

In closing, I’d like to say to all the young Olympians in the room: enjoy this moment. Learn from one another, build lifelong friendships, and represent Australia with confidence. 

Some of you might go on to become researchers, engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, teachers or public servants. Some of you might build companies. Some of you might work on global problems we’re only now becoming aware of.

Wherever you go, I hope you stay connected to what brought you here: curiosity, rigour, resilience and a willingness to think deeply. Because we need those qualities. And looking around this room, I feel very optimistic that you have those qualities in abundance.

Congratulations again, and all the very best for the Olympiads ahead.