We inducted the inaugural Legends of State High in 2007.
The Legends of State High honour board is located in the foyer of the Indoor Sports Complex and a Legends of State High display is in the school museum.
Paul graduated in 1964 as School Captain. 'Porky', as his friends fondly called him, represented Queensland in rugby league during his first year out of school.
A stockbroker by trade, he was credited for bringing the stock market to 'mum and dad investors' and co-founding the Brisbane Broncos.
Paul passed away in 2001 and following his death, we created the Legends of State High wall.
Hayley graduated in 1991, and during her final year, captained the Girls Swimming Team.
In 1990, at only 15, Hayley became a household name winning five gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. She went on to win two medals in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics—silver in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 400m freestyle.
As a triple Olympian and world champion, Hayley now runs her own business and is the proud mum of two boys.
At 20, Duncan became an Australian icon bringing home a gold and a silver medal from the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He has won a number of prestigious awards including Young Australian of the Year, a Centenary Medal and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Today, Duncan has a successful career in the media.
David graduated in 1984. He is a former Australian rugby player who played 79 Tests over nine years and captained the Wallabies nine times.
Throughout his career, David won every international trophy available to an Australian Test player (Bledisloe Cup series wins in 1992, '94, '98, '99 & 2000, including the 1999 win as Captain), a World Cup in 1999 and a Tri Nations series win in 2000.
David moved to the United Kingdom to play and captain the NEC Harlequins in the Zurich Premiership. A serious knee injury ended David's playing career at the age of 35 and he was forced to retire from the game.
He is now the General Manager of Commercial Development in the global industrial property giant, Goodman.
Jon graduated in 1983.
He became a national name in his infamous David versus Goliath 200m butterfly swim at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Beating all odds, he took out the gold medal—beating the race favourite, Michael Gross of Germany.
He was the Australian 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly champion and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to swimming.
Today, Jon lives in Townsville and manages a number of aquatic facilities and is involved with the design and construction of commercial aquatic facilities.
Ian graduated in 1981.
Perhaps the most successful wicket keeper of all time, he played for Australia for more than 10 years. Missing just one Test over his career (because of a broken thumb), he collected five world records along the way.
Ian holds the record for the most dismissals by a keeper in Test history with his final tally of 395 made up of 366 catches and 29 stumpings.
These days, Ian is a television commentator, who is also involved in special appearances and speaking engagements. He is also the Chair of Aspirations4Kids, a not-for-profit organisation that assists Queensland school children facing hardship. Ian co-hosts a morning sports talk show on radio station SEN, owns several small businesses and is heavily involved in cricket administration and charity support.
Wally graduated in 1977, and during his final year, captained the Boys' First XV Rugby Team.
Wally, also known as 'The King', is an inspirational former rugby league player whose feats on the football field have gone down in history. Wally's countless career highlights include captaining Australia 23 times, leading the Kangaroos on an undefeated Ashes tour, 31 State of Origin games and 33 Tests for Australia. In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Queensland Great Award.
Today, Wally works as a Channel 9 News Sports presenter.
Dr Liveris graduated in 1971.
Dr Liveris is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Dow Chemical Company and the former Executive Chairman of DowDuPont. He is the company's longest-serving non-family CEO, with a combined 42 years of experience at Dow.
In April 2022, Dr Liveris was named President of the Board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (OCOG).
Dr Liveris is the author of 'Make It in America' and has identified new ways to spur innovation and revitalise the US manufacturing sector. He was Chair of the Trump manufacturing council and part of the Apprenticeship of the Future task force. He served as Co-Chair of United States President Obama's Advanced Manufacturing Partnership steering committee and as a member of his President's Export Council.
Andrew was the Special Advisor to the Australian National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission. He is the Co-Chair of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission. He is an Independent Member of the Australian government's Industry Growth Centres Advisory.
Andrew is a Director at IBM, Saudi Aramco, Worley (Deputy Chairman), Lucid Motors (Chairman), NOVONIX and the Minderoo Foundation. He is on the advisory board of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Teneo (a global CEO consulting and advisory firm) and NEOM (an initiative driven by Saudi Vision 2030). He is Chairman of the BlackRock Long Term Private Capital Fund and a Special Advisor to the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Andrew serves as a Trustee for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and is a member of the Concordia Leadership Council.
In 2018, the Andrew N Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership was established at The University of Queensland for students to garner a real-life understanding of global challenges and how to create positive change for society.
Professor Gary Roubin, MD, FACC
Internationally recognised cardiologist and developer of the heart stent
Dr Gary Roubin graduated in 1965. He is an internationally renowned interventional cardiologist, recognised for his ground-breaking work in the development of coronary stenting and the first FDA-approved coronary stent. His additional contributions include pioneering work in carotid stenting, embolic protection devices and large bore vascular closure technology.
Dr Roubin lectures extensively in the United States and abroad, is widely published and has received numerous national and international awards for his notable contributions to cardiac and vascular care. Over the past three decades, Professor Roubin's pioneering work in the catheterisation laboratory has been seen live by physicians and healthcare professionals via satellite around the world. Gary Roubin lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, United States of America.
Dr Alan Laws
Internationally recognised doctor of anaesthesiology
Dr Laws graduated in 1953 as Dux of the School.
As a clinician-scientist, Dr Laws studied the effects of anaesthesia on breathing mechanics. He was heavily involved with the examination process and in 1977, was elected Chair of the Royal College Witten Test Committee.
He was later appointed Chief Examiner in Anaesthesia in 1980. Under his influence, examinations became more clinically orientated—a process which continues to this day.
Dr Laws passed away in January 1995.
Mrs Norma Croker Fleming
Olympic gold medallist — athletics
Norma Croker graduated in 1952.
Norma was the first Queensland woman to win an Olympic gold medal. In the months leading up to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, she had a triumphant win against the world record holder for 110 yards. Following this, and with little formal training, her team won the 4x100m Olympic relay.
Norma passed away in August 2019, aged 84.
Air Marshal Ray Funnell AC
Chief of Air Staff Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 1987–1992
Ray graduated in 1952 and, in 1953, began his career with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an Officer Cadet.
Ray had many different roles within the RAAF, being an Operational Pilot, Squadron Commander and Staff Officer before becoming the inaugural Vice-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. His career highlight came in 1987 when he was appointed Chief of Air Staff.
Retiring from the RAAF in 1992, Ray was the manager of the project that established the Australian Defence Force's first strategic level college. He was its Principal from 1994 until 1999. He subsequently served on several Ministerial advisory bodies in the areas of asylum seekers and immigration detention until his retirement in 2018.
Ray is a graduate of the RAAF College, the RAAF Staff College, the US Air War College and the Royal College of Defence Studies. He holds a Master's Degree in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Administration.
Professor Lawrie Powell AC
Internationally recognised researcher in liver diseases, and former Director of Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Professor Powell graduated in 1952 and is globally recognised for his contributions to liver research. He won a gold medal from the Canadian Liver Foundation and in 1990, the Companion of the Order of Australia medal.
Professor Powell also influenced the successful development and planning of a new Comprehensive Cancer Research Centre at Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR). The Centre officially opened in September 2001, and at capacity can house almost 1,000 scientists and support staff. In 2002, he was presented the Queensland Great Award.
He remained warmly engaged with QIMR Berghofer and the scientific community in his later years.
Professor Powell passed away in September 2022, aged 87.
Mr William Robinson AO
Artist
William graduated in 1951.
Winning 2 Archibald Prizes—in 1987 and 1995—William is a prominent painter in the art world. His national fame grew in 1983 when several of his works featured in Sydney’s Australian Perspecta exhibition. In 2004, William received the Queensland Great Award.
According to William, ‘An artist does not retire’ and he continues to paint today.
Mr Patrick Thomas AM MBE
Conductor and musician
Patrick graduated in 1949.
Recognised with awards such as the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Patrick's long association with ABC Orchestras, and as guest conductor of many famous orchestras overseas, were a major part of his distinguished career.
He was the only Queenslander to hold the post as Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Patrick remained active as an author, poet, broadcast presenter, and was a Patron of the Music Teachers' Association of NSW.
In August 2017, Patrick passed away. He was aged 85.
The Honourable William (Bill) Hayden AC
Governor-General of Australia
William graduated in 1949.
He had a successful career in parliament from 1961 to 1988, the peak of which was in 1989 when he took up the role of Governor General of Australia.
During his time in parliament, he successfully introduced Medibank—Australia's first universal health insurance system—and the single mother's pension.
In 1990, he returned to the school to officially open the Junior School.
The Honourable William Hayden retired in 1996 and ran a cattle farm.
In October 2023, William passed away. He was aged 90.
Mr Robin Gibson AO
Architect
Robin graduated in 1947.
He was known as the man who helped transform Brisbane, turning our eyes to the river and creating the bustling cultural hub.
His building designs include the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum and State Library, the Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC) and Brisbane's Queen Street Mall. Robin's work has been honoured on 27 occasions for meritorious architecture by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Mr Gibson passed away in March 2014, aged 83.
General Eva Burrows AC
World leader of the Salvation Army for two terms
Eva graduated in 1946.
In 1986, Eva was elected as General of The Salvation Army. Not only was she the youngest person ever elected, but was also the second woman to ever serve in this role.
General Burrows' policy accomplishments included the return of The Salvation Army to communist countries (which had previously banned its ministry), and the restructuring and separation of the International Headquarters and United Kingdom territories.
She had a willingness to spend time with people, no matter their status, and when she retired in 1993, she was known as the people's general.
She continued to work with Melbourne’s disadvantaged until she was 82. General Burrows passed away in March 2015, aged 85.
Sir Leo Hielscher AC
Pre-eminent public servant, past Head of Queensland Treasury, Head of Queensland Treasury Corporation, and Queensland Industry Development Corporation (Australia).
Sir Leo graduated in 1941.
He had a long and successful career in the public sector. Primarily working in finance, he was responsible for the development and funding of the state's renowned employees superannuation scheme. He has been acclaimed as one of the key figures responsible for transforming Queensland's economy over the past 40 years.
In 2007, Sir Leo was presented with the Queensland Great Award, and in 2010, was recognised for his achievements when the Gateway Bridge was renamed in his honour.
Mr William McLean
Australian and Queensland rugby union captain
William graduated in 1933.
He served 6 years with the Australian Imperial Force. Once home, he moved on to captain Australia and Queensland in rugby union. He captained five Tests for the Wallabies, and led the side to tour the United Kingdom in 1947–1948. The McLean family has played 77 rugby Tests between them.
William passed away in 1996.
Sir Sydney Sunderland CMG
Medical researcher, university academic and government consultant
Sir Sydney graduated in 1929.
He was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Melbourne University for many years whilst actively researching in the field of nerves and nerve injuries. Widely published, an international medical society was named in his honour.
Serving on many government health, university and military committees, he played a key role in the establishment of the Australian Academy of Science where he was one of 23 Foundation Fellows.
Sir Sydney passed away in 1993, aged 83.
Legends inducted in 2014
Legends are inducted into the program as we continue to recognise former students for their achievements. We inducted nine new Legends of State High in July 2014. The next Legends of State High will be inducted in 2021, our centenary year.
Mr Brett Dean
Composer, violist and conductor
Brett graduated in 1978.
Based in Melbourne and the United Kingdom, he is one of the most internationally performed composers of his generation.
With over 70 compositions to his name, Brett won the Grawemeyer Award for music composition in 2009 for his violin concerto 'The Lost Art of Letter Writing' and received the Elise L. Stoeger Prize in 2011 from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York.
More recently, Brett's opera, based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, was premiered to great acclaim at the 2017 Glyndebourne Opera Festival.
Professor Martin Green AM
Scientist
Professor Green graduated in 1965 as Dux of the School.
He's had a successful career working on the development of silicon solar cells. In the mid-1980s, the Solar Photovoltaics Group, a group he established, succeeded in producing a 20 per cent efficient silicon cell. Under his guidance, the group improved the performance of silicon solar cells by more than 50 per cent from what had previously been considered a mature technology. His group holds a number of world records for solar cell performance with the PERC cell he invented, which has dominated worldwide production since 2019.
In 2010, Professor Green was awarded the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science and, in 2021, the Japan Prize—one of the most prestigious awards in science and technology after the Nobel Prize.
Mr Sterge Karas AO OAM
Principal Member of the both the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal
Sterge graduated in 1961. In 1989 as a senior member of the Immigration Review Tribunal and following his contributions working as a legal practitioner in Canberra, Darwin and Brisbane, Sterge was appointed as the first Principal Member for both the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal.
Sterge is a committed member of the Greek community, having previously served in Darwin as Honorary Consul of Greece. Throughout his career, he has been heavily involved in immigration law, current affairs, multicultural affairs and international relations.
Sterge retired in 2012.
Mr Bill Sole OAM
Teacher and sporting contributor
Bill graduated in 1958.
After graduating with a B.Sc. Certificate of Teaching from The University of Queensland, he returned to State High to teach Mathematics, Science and Senior Physics. He was also heavily involved with our school's extra-curricular sports and is a life member of Queensland State School Swimming Association (QSSSA), with his Presidency spanning to several QSSSA committees.
Mr Sole was a long-time supporter of the school and our students - assisting with rowing, athletics, girls swimming and rugby.
In June 2018, Bill passed away. He was aged 77.
The Honourable Michael Bryce AM AE KStJ
Architect and designer
Michael graduated in 1955.
By 27, his drawings had made it to the Royal Academy of Arts (UK). After a stint in London, Michael returned to Australia and started his own architectural practice.
His most famous logo creation was the 2000 Sydney Olympic squiggle of the Opera House. Other logos Michael worked on include redesigning the Wallabies Rugby Union team logo, and logos for the Queensland Government, Harrods London, Fendi and Valentino.
Michael had a long standing involvement with the Air Force Training Corps, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and St John's Ambulance.
Michael passed away in January 2021. He was aged 82.
Mr Denis Donnelly OAM
State High teacher and sporting contributor
Denis graduated in 1953, as the School Vice-Captain.
After graduating from the Teachers' Training College in 1954 and completing compulsory National Service, Denis returned to State High as a Physical Education teacher in 1961. By the late 1970s, he was teaching French, Senior English, Junior Science and Mathematics, while still being heavily involved in our sports programs—including rowing, rugby, athletics and cross country.
Denis has been awarded life memberships of the Commercial Rowing Club and the Queensland Secondary Schools Athletics Association.
In recognition of his contributions to the school, we named the annual 1,500m run The Donnelly Dash in his honour.
Following his retirement, Denis continued to coach the junior rowers of State High.
In November 2023, Denis passed away. He was aged 87.
Ms Barbara Patterson Blackman AO
Patron, philanthropist and writer
Barbara graduated in 1945.
She developed a passion for contemporary music and writing during her high school years. As a teenager, she was the youngest member of Barjai, an avant-garde writers' group in Brisbane.
During the early 1950s, Barbara was diagnosed with optic atrophy, which caused her to rapidly lose her eyesight. In her later years she was a campaigner for talking books and libraries for the blind, a producer for the Radio for the Print Handicapped, and was involved in the National Federation of Blind Citizens.
At the same time, she was active in a number of cultural and educational organisations. She has published poems, essays and reviews in a wide range of newspapers and literary journals. In 2004, Barbara pledged $1 million to Australian music.
In 2012, Barbara was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her service to the arts and community, and advocating for people who are visually impaired.
Dr Nicholas S Girdis CBE
Property developer/investor
Dr Girdis graduated in 1943, as School Captain.
Originally trained as a doctor of dental surgery, Dr Girdis helped to reshape and preserve Brisbane's waterfront in the 1990s by turning a run-down ship-building area into the Dockside Precinct, Kangaroo Point.
He was also involved in the development of Fisherman's Wharf at Main Beach.
Dr Girdis led the campaign to raise $5 million for the restoration of the historic Customs House for The University of Queensland and developed a 480-berth marina for the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Today, Dr Girdis runs his own property investment and development firm, which has been involved in one of the largest office building portfolios in the centre of Brisbane.
Sir Douglas Wadley
Solicitor and company director
Sir Douglas graduated in 1920.
Sir Douglas was an all-rounder, a law firm partner, a volunteer of the Defence Corps and a board member, chairman and director of countless companies. He was also heavily involved in the Catholic Church as a member of the Business Advisory Board of the Catholic Leader.
Sir Douglas passed away in 1984. Following his passing, the canine pavilion at the Brisbane showgrounds was named in his honour and the Sir Douglas Wadley Handicap is a major event in the Queensland horse racing calendar.
Legends inducted in 2021
Legends are inducted into the program as we continue to recognise former students for their achievements. We inducted 19 new Legends of State High in July 2021, our centenary year.
Justice Peter Applegarth AM
Judge and Social Justice Advocate
Peter Applegarth graduated from the Class of 1975 and went on to study law, gaining first-class honours and a scholarship to study post-graduate law at Oxford. As a Barrister, Peter acted in defence of freedom of speech at the Fitzgerald Inquiry, helping expose police and political corruption. Peter became Senior Counsel in 2001 and in 2008 was appointed to the Supreme Court. Justice Applegarth chairs the Queensland Law Reform Commission and in 2020 became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to law, judiciary and social justice.
Mr William 'Bill' Bowness AO
Investor/Developer and Philanthropist
Bill Bowness graduated from the Class of 1961 and is the Chair of Wilbow Group Pty Ltd, which is involved in various investments and developments in Australia and in property development in the United States of America. Bill is actively involved in various cultural, community and philanthropic activities. In 2015, Bill received an Honorary Doctorate of Business from The University of Queensland and in 2017 received the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the visual and performing arts through philanthropic contributions, fundraising and advisory roles.
Flight Lieutenant Virgil 'Paul' Brennan DCF DFM
Air Force Pilot
Flight Lieutenant Virgil Brennan graduated from the Class of 1934. As both the subject and co-author of the book Spitfires over Malta, Flight Lieutenant Brennan was an Australian aviator and flying ace of World War II. Flight Lieutenant Brennan was commissioned and awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1942 and a Distinguished Flying Cross was added to his award for gallantry. Flight Lieutenant Brennan was killed in a flying accident in Queensland in 1943.
Image source: David Wilson, 'Brennan, Virgil Paul (1920–1943)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/brennan-virgil-paul-9575/text16871, published first in hardcopy 1993, accessed online 1 July 2021.
Mr Brad Cooper
Olympian and Swim Coach
Brad Cooper was part of the graduating Class of 1972. An elite swimmer, after leaving Brisbane he trained in Sydney under coach Don Talbot. After winning the 400m freestyle gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics, in 1973 he became Australian Champion in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle and the 100m and 200m backstroke. Brad became a journalist and then swim school proprietor. In 2019, he wrote an acclaimed coming-of-age memoir The Finest Gold, recounting his Olympic success and itinerant childhood.
Mrs Winifred 'Win' Davson (née O'Neill) MBE
Performing Artist and Teacher
Win graduated in 1937 and had a long career as an accomplished actor, producer, director, playwright, historical author, poet and fine artist, as well as a Speech and Drama teacher. In 1947, she became the first woman in Australia—and among the first few women in the world—to achieve a Fellowship of Trinity College London for Speech and Drama. Win was honoured to receive an MBE in 1972, to be a finalist in Queenslander of the Year in 1987 and to be the face of Telstra's phonebook cover in 2009.
Dr Kathleen 'Mercy' Dickinson (née Griffin) AM
Teacher
Mercy Dickinson graduated from the Class of 1936. The first blind student to attend Brisbane State High School, the first blind graduate of The University of Queensland and the first blind person to hold a classified position with the Department of Education, Mercy's work in the blind community was recognised with an AM in 1984. She was made a Doctor by the Queensland University of Technology and received the Blind Citizens Australia David Blyth Award in 1995.
Image source: 1937 Annual Magazine, page 2.
Dr Andrew Elek AM
Economist and Academic
Dr Elek arrived in Australia in 1957 as a 10-year-old refugee from Hungary. Seven years later, he graduated from the Class of 1964 and was awarded the Lilley Medal for the top Year 12 student in Queensland. In 1969, he was selected as State High's first Rhodes Scholar. His career as an economic policy adviser included working for the government of newly independent Papua New Guinea, a Senior Economist with the World Bank and having a central role in the establishment of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation process. Dr Elek was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1991 for service to international relations.
Ms Jackie French AM
Author and Literacy and Wildlife Advocate
Jackie French graduated from the Class of 1970 and has written over 250 books in many genres, including history, ecology, children's literature and historical fiction for adults and young people. She has won or been shortlisted for over 150 awards nationally and internationally. She was Senior Australian of the Year 2015, Australian Children's Laureate 2014–15 and is a patron, ambassador or director of many organisations to promote literacy, wildlife research and the right of every child and adult to access the books they love or need.
Mr Bo Hanson
Four Time Olympian and Elite Coach
Bo Hanson graduated from the Class of 1990 and became Australia's youngest rower to compete at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games at 18 years of age. Following his first Olympic appearance, Bo went on to win medals in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Utilising his personal experiences from his four Olympic appearances, combined with his training and development qualifications, Bo founded Athlete Assessments in 2007 with a vision to enable athletes, coaches and sports organisations to achieve peak performance.
Dr Mary Hughes (née Armbruster) OAM
Radiologist and Hockey Life Member
Mary Hughes graduated from the Class of 1947. Instrumental in Brisbane Women's Hockey, such was her dedication to helping people, Mary would often travel back and forth from the hospital to Downey Park to play or attend meetings, then return to the hospital to assist her patients. In 1998, Dr Mary Hughes was awarded Honorary Life membership of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists in recognition of her outstanding service to people with head and neck cancer and, in particular, for her huge contribution to the education of cancer specialists in training.
Image source: 1947 Annual Magazine, page 50.
Mr Alasdair Hutton OBE TD OStJ
Member of Parliament, Author, Narrator
Alasdair Hutton graduated in the Junior Class of 1957 after emigrating to Australia from Scotland in 1954. After jobs as a radio announcer and working in media across Australia and the UK, Alasdair took an interest in politics and became a member of the European Parliament. In 1986, he was awarded an MBE for Military Service having served as a volunteer soldier for 35 years. He serves on several charities—mainly for ex-servicemen and the blind—and is an author of children's books. Since 1992, he has been the narrator of the Royal Military Tattoo.
Dr A James P Morton AM
Haematology-Oncology specialist
Dr Morton graduated in 1980 and is a highly respected specialist in Haematology-Oncology. He is a passionate advocate for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and is the founder and previous Chair of the AEIOU Foundation for children with autism. Dr Morton was a board member at the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland from 2000 – 2008, where he created and initiated the World's Greatest Shave campaign, which continues as a successful fundraising initiative. In recognition of his services to both children with autism and in oncology, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 and was named as a Queensland Great in 2020.
Dr Judith Murray (née Bruun)
Psychologist and Academic
Judith graduated as School Captain from the Class of 1975 and is an endorsed counselling psychologist, a registered nurse and a qualified secondary school teacher. In 1995, she completed a PhD in Child Health and Psychology and in 2003 she was the recipient of an Australian Award for University Teaching. Judith has served on a number of national consultations for bereavement, palliative care, postvention and children's grief and has been very involved in the training of community and frontline workers both in Australia and overseas.
Ms Katie Page
Businesswoman and Entrepreneur
Katie Page graduated in 1973 and is the Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Norman and has been instrumental in the continued success of the international home and lifestyle retailer. She serves on countless boards and, in 2005, made history by being appointed to the board of the National Rugby League, as the first woman to become a member of a major sporting board in Australia. Ms Page's commitment extends beyond NRL to include AFLW, AFL, motor-sport, surfing and Paralympic sport. She is the co-owner of the Magic Millions—the highest grossing yearling sale in the southern hemisphere.
Ms Lillian Roxon
Journalist and Author
Lillian Roxon graduated from the Class of 1948 and became an Australian journalist first freelancing in Hollywood before living in New York in the 1960s and '70s as the first Australian female overseas correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald. Dubbed 'the mother of rock', she wrote the iconic Lillian Roxon's Rock Encyclopaedia, published in 1969, and became more widely known for her feminist stance. Lillian died at only 41 years after suffering from an asthma attack.
Air Marshal (Ret'd) Geoffrey Shepherd AO
Chief of Air Force
Air Marshal Shepherd graduated from the Class of 1969 and joined the RAAF Academy in 1971. He graduated from the Academy with a Science degree and gained his RAAF pilot's wings in 1976. He held a number of command posts including a diplomatic post as an Assistant Defence Attache, eventually being appointed Chief of Air Force and promoted to Air Marshal in 2005. Air Marshal Shepherd retired from the RAAF in 2008 after 37 years of service and maintains his interest in aerospace through his Chairmanship of the biennial Avalon International Airshow and Defence Exposition.
Mr William 'Bill' Stoddart
Businessman and Manufacturer
Bill Stoddart graduated from the Class of 1960 and then laboured at his father's stainless steel manufacturing company while working towards his metallurgist qualification. Bill went on to take over his father's company and in 1992 the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) was formed with Bill as the founding President. Having worked within the structure of the Stoddart company for over 50 years, today, with the next generation of Stoddarts, the company employs over 520 staff nationwide.
Major General Douglas 'Tim' Vincent CB AM OBE
Senior Officer in the Australian Army
Douglas 'Tim' Vincent graduated from the Class of 1934 and entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1935. With a career spanning 38 years in the Australian Army, Major General Vincent served actively in World War II and as Commander in the Vietnam War. After a number of senior staff positions he retired in 1973 before serving as military adviser to the Returned and Services League of Australia for nearly 20 years prior to his death in 1995.
Image source: Virtual War Memorial Australia, https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/768428, accessed online 2 July 2021.
Dr Graeme Wood AM
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Graeme Wood graduated from the Class of 1964 and is one of Australia's most successful entrepreneurs. He is a nationally leading philanthropist for education, environment, youth and Indigenous communities. Dr Wood revolutionised the travel industry with the creation of Wotif.com and has also contributed significant funding to investments in media, including backing The Guardian and founding The Global Mail. In 2012, Dr Wood was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours.