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QCoal Foundation Honours Future Geologist Lucy Bye with the 2025 Christopher Wallin Prize for Excellence in Geology

The QCoal Foundation is proud to support the Christopher Wallin Prize for Excellence in Geology and we congratulate this year’s recipient, Lucienne (Lucy) Bye. Lucy earned the prize as she achieved the highest GPA in her second year of her Bachelor of Geology degree at James Cook University (JCU).

QCoal Foundation CEO Sylvia Bhatia said the Foundation was proud to offer this prize for the second consecutive year.

“Our Founding Donor, QCoal Group is committed to supporting the next generation of geologists and we collectively congratulate Lucy on her hard work to date.”

“Lucy’s story and her passion and commitment to her chosen field of study is very impressive,” Ms Bhatia said.

Ms Bye explained that winning the prize was an unexpected and incredible honour.

“Studying Geology at JCU has been a wonderful experience. I love the combination of lab and fieldwork – learning the theory and then applying it in a hands-on environment makes my studies even more rewarding. Working alongside like-minded peers with the same passion for the field is especially fulfilling.”

“I’ve never second-guessed my study choice as I am excited to begin a career where I combine field and laboratory work and continue to learn about the Earth, its large-scale processes and how they form the land around us.”

“Being recognised for something I genuinely love doing is a real bonus.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to the QCoal Foundation for its generosity and support, and I will continue striving for excellence in this field.”

“After graduation, I plan to work in the mining industry, hopefully in the coal or gold industry, to gain valuable industry experience and further develop my expertise,” she said. “In particular, I would like to further my knowledge in exploration geology and reach my goal to become a geochemist where I can advance my skills in rock and mineral analysis and utilise my abilities to help in exploration, resource acquisition and sustainable practices.”

Last year’s recipient Jose Pena Araya has recently completed a paid vacation work placement with the QCoal Group’s Geology team based in Brisbane.

Jose said this experience gave him the opportunity to put his theoretical skills into practice and exposed him to areas of geology not covered in his university degree.

“In particular, going to Cook Colliery for a site visit and enhancing my knowledge of the Bowen Basin was the highlight of his time with QCoal Group,” he said.