Citizenship award provides bigger platform to secure Christian’s dreams
A CQUniversity medical student has been acknowledged for his contribution to his community and his remarkable academic and sporting achievements by being awarded Bundaberg’s Young Citizen of the Year award.
Christian Lane-Krebs, a second year Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine student (a joint CQUniversity and University of Queensland Pathway to Medicine program) continues to win praise by overcoming the odds of living with cerebral palsy and a blood condition and continually surpassing expectations and overachieving on a range of fronts including his studies and elite level sport.
Following successful high school years where he was school captain of Kepnock State High School in 2022, Christian made his first steps towards his ambition of becoming a doctor with entry into the CQUniversity medical program in 2023.
He has also had a hugely successful sporting career to date, having secured podium finishes in the Australian Rowing Championships and holding six world records.
However, it has been his engagement in community service – working to aid the homeless, as an advocate for disability inclusion, and championing First Nations people’s health – that helped secure his most recent accomplishment.
“Receiving the Young Citizen of the Year award was something that I never thought would happen, however, it is an amazing feeling to be recognised by your local community for the change that I believe I am making,” Christian said.
“This award allows me a greater platform to advocate for my beliefs and to help raise up others within my local community.”
Having been born and raised in the Bundaberg region, Christian has always felt a strong sense of connection to his community and has relied on their support in times of struggle.
But it wasn’t always easy residing regionally for someone who lived with a disability and a complex medical condition.
“I experienced positives and negatives with regional health systems including the necessity of regular travel to metropolitan areas for treatment.
“My lived experience has identified discrepancy between rural/remote and metropolitan medicine and this has led to my strong connection to the Bundaberg region.
“Through this award, I am able to demonstrate that where you live or who you are, does not define the person you have to become.
“The people who have supported me throughout my life such as the special education teachers of Kepnock State High School, the lecturers and staff at CQUniversity, and the local community members who take pride in my achievements, have all taught me the value of standing up for what you believe in and becoming a representative for those who need it.”
Christian also hopes to make an impact on his local community through his emerging medical career.
After completing his medical degree he hopes to work within the Bundaberg/Widebay region, giving back to those who supported him.
“Ultimately, my goal with my career is to be able to give young people living with disability a person who they can look up to and understand that I have been through the same struggles and with a good support network and my local community supporting me I have been able to achieve things I never would have expected.”
Christian’s Young Citizen of the Year award was announced earlier this year at the Bundaberg Regional Australia Day Awards, while he has also previously been awarded a Bundaberg Regional Young Scholarship in 2023 and a CQU STEM Scholarship in 2022.
