Spirit of Clayfield
Overview
The Spirit of Clayfield Awards recognise members of our College family - staff, students, Old Collegians and community members, for embodying our College values and inspiring others to let their light shine. Each year, these awards are presented at our Foundation Day Assembly.
This week, we are celebrating and recognising our Spirit of Clayfield Award Winners in the Old Collegians (Green) category.
Overall Winner - Winnie Ma
Winnie Ma (Class of 2021) exemplifies leadership, academic excellence, and service. Whilst studying a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) at The University of Queensland, she earned multiple Dean’s Commendations and several prestigious awards, including the Saudi Aramco Scholarship for Excellence, the Hawken Memorial Prize, and the Ching’s Family Prize. These achievements reflect her strong academic ability, discipline, and drive.
Winnie is an influential leader within the UQ engineering community. Beginning as Careers Officer for Skirts in Engineering, she has consistently championed equity and gender diversity. She went on to serve as Vice President (Careers) of the Engineering Undergraduate Society in 2024, coordinating major careers fairs connecting more than 1,500 students with industry partners. In 2025, she was elected President, leading an inclusive, forward‑thinking team and growing membership by 24% to more than 2,500 students.
Her commitment to inspiring future engineers is evident in her work as a Women in Engineering Student Leader, delivering workshops for female high school students. Winnie has also excelled in innovation challenges, including winning a circular‑economy sustainability competition and earning recognition at the CHEMECA conference hackathon for a hydrogen transport solution.
With hands‑on industry experience at mine sites and a passion for sustainability, Winnie is poised to make a meaningful contribution to engineering and the wider community.
Finalist - Grace Shaw
Professionally known as 'Mallrat'
Grace’s journey from a thoughtful, creative Clayfield College student to one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary artists reflects courage, authenticity and an unwavering commitment to staying true to herself. Her music, characterised by vulnerability, optimism and originality, has resonated deeply with audiences, particularly young people navigating identity, belonging and self-belief.
Her impact is evident in her sustained success on the Triple J Hottest 100, with multiple songs featured across several years, an achievement that speaks to both artistic consistency and genuine connection with listeners. Beyond chart success, Grace has received significant industry recognition, including ARIA Award nominations, and has built a strong international following through critically acclaimed releases and global touring.
True to the spirit of the Green Award, Grace uses her platform with purpose. She actively supports emerging artists, advocates for inclusivity within the music industry, and demonstrates that ambition and kindness are not mutually exclusive. Despite international acclaim, she remains grounded and openly acknowledges the influence of her upbringing and education on her creative life.
Grace Shaw exemplifies the Clayfield spirit - pursuing excellence with humility, leading through authenticity, and making a positive, lasting impact well beyond the College gates.