A Devonport school leaver who attained an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) of 97.95 out of 100 is about to move three states north to study Paramedic Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Beth Fairley said leaving Tasmania had not been on her radar until she holidayed on the Sunshine Coast in December and toured the USC campus.

“I just fell in love with the place and thought, ‘I want to live here, and the uni’s excellent’,” she said.

Beth will leave her “proud but devastated” parents and two younger siblings to move into student accommodation near the campus the day after she turns 18 on 18 February.

“I chose Paramedic Science because I want a job that challenges me, something that doesn’t run on a routine,” she said.

“I want something that keeps me on my toes and keeps my brain ticking over while helping to make other people’s lives better.”

A keen fan of the sport and fitness program CrossFit, Beth was also looking forward to snorkelling and other outdoor activities so prominent on the Coast.

She said she was surprised and delighted to receive the high ATAR, which is an OP2 equivalent in Queensland, after finishing Year 12 at The Don College.

— Julie Schomberg