5Q4> The Young Queenslander of the Year

Eight years ago, Alen-Igor O’Hran arrived in Brisbane as a refugee from the former Yugoslavia. Today, at age 24, he has graduated with top honours in law and business, is an associate to one of the top judges in Queensland and has just been named the 2005 Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year.

1 You have achieved a lot at a really young age. what has been your main motivation? > I figured if I was going to spend five years in uni, I may as well do well at it. Of course, I would not have achieved what I did without God’s grace as well. There is an old saying in my native language, “What you must do is not hard,” and I’m not going to give up doing something just because it is too hard. There is a certain thrill and excitement in facing a challenge, and it helps you grow spiritually too.

2 What is it like to be an Associate to the Honourable Justice Dutney, Central Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland? > It’s great! I absolutely love my job. It is a real privilege and honour to be an associate. I get to travel and meet people, and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to contribute my skills and expertise to central Queensland.

3 You are also very involved in church and community activities, mentoring and helping economically disadvantaged students and even volunteering to teach English in Poland. Do you ever stop? > God has blessed me with skills, knowledge and experience to do what I do. They have all come free to me, and I feel it would be a sin not to share what I have.

4 How has being a Christian helped you in your journey?> God is a major part of my life. He is the reason why I am who I am, and I would be no-one without Him.

5 What’s next? > I’m going to make sure I don’t become a pompous airhead after winning
this award. I will carry the title with a humble heart and continue to be, in
the words of my grandmother, a faithful servant of God.