Young Alumni Award 2025: Oliver Hetherington-Page

Since graduating from Lauries in 2015, Oliver Hetherington-Page’s work across the arts and disability advocacy spaces has created palpable change for the next generation of neurodivergent artists. Oliver’s latest theatrical production has been described as 'A declaration that autistic lives are not tragedies - they're stories worthy of centre-stage'. As a proudly autistic playwright, actor, producer, disability arts advocate and legacy Lauries graduate – Oliver has deservedly earned our Young Alumni Award for 2025.

After graduating from QUT in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama), Oliver has toured the country with his works, formed the Spectrum Singers (Australia’s first autistic choir) and has become an outspoken voice for the autistic community, featuring in ABC Online, Take 5, Linked Disability Magazine, local radio and television shows such as Q&A and the upcoming season of The Assembly. His work has earned him some incredible accolades, such as a Matilda Award, an Access Arts Achievement Award and a special commendation from the Governor of Queensland. However, Oliver doesn’t define his success by the awards he receives, it’s about the impact he has on those around him – creating hope for a neurodivergent artist or making a single audience member feel seen and understood.

As an autistic teenager battling with his mental health, Oliver’s schooling experience was tough and there were many days where he couldn’t face going to school. However, Oliver isn’t afraid to talk about his struggles and the perseverance it took to get to the finish line. When asked about his favourite memory at Lauries, he describes embracing his mother on Gair Field during his graduation ceremony. 

“My mum and I just hugged and broke down in tears, having made it to the other side knowing I could survive,” he said.

It was a moment that he thought might never come. Even a decade later, the memory still brings emotions to the surface. 

“I don’t think I would have finished school anywhere else,” Oliver remarked.

While far from perfect, he recalls members of the Lauries community rallying around him during his schooling with some teachers going above and beyond for him by making curriculum adjustments, shuffling classes and advocating for his needs to be met wherever they could. 

His role as a Peer Mentor also significantly impacted Oliver. as the experience instilled a sense of purpose within him. Setting a positive example for these students led Oliver down a pathway of community responsibility that still reflects in his activism today. 

“To be recognised by the school means more than I can put into words,” he said, noting his family’s long history with St Laurence’s College. His grandfather, who died when Oliver was 6, was an Old Boy of the College, as were several uncles. Being part of this legacy, in his words, “. . . means the world.”

Oliver is gearing up for an exciting end to 2025, with his in-development play debuting at Undercover Artist Festival’s Something New: Rehearsed Readings programme. He’s also preparing to take on an even broader audience, recently being cast on the new season of ABC’s The Assembly - a program where autistic journalism students are mentored by Leight Sales, in interviewing well-known Australian media, sporting and political personalities.

In the future, he is excited to foster safe spaces for autistic youth to find community and explore their creativity, while putting infrastructure in place for neurodivergent people to participate in the arts on a larger, mainstream scale. Oliver’s schooling experience had its challenges, which is a reality that many students may relate to. His journey from a struggling teenager to community pillar is certainly a story worthy of centre-stage, and we can’t wait to see Oliver in the spotlight for many years to come.