SOME of Australia’s biggest names have been moulded at one of Brisbane’s most elite schools, Anglican Church Grammar School.
From sporting stars to businessman who feature on the Forbes richest people list as well as army majors, influential medical researchers and men who helped shape the history of Brisbane – Churchie has revealed its top alumni in its 108-year history.
The list also features men who have broken barriers in certain fields and will go down as icons in certain fields on top of award-winning actors, who have made their name playing infamous crime figures on Australian television.
See who made the list here:
OTHER SCHOOL ALUMNI LISTS
MARCUS BLACKMORE AM
– Class of 1962
Marcus Blackmore is one of the most successful businessman in Australia as the executive director of health supplements company, Blackmores, which was founded in 1930. His success in the business world has led to Mr Blackmore being named in the Forbes most richest people in Australia in 2016 with a net worth of more than $500 million. Over the years, he has been involved with many charitable and business organisations and has received many awards for his contribution to industry and the community. He was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2008 for his service to business and industry, particularly through the natural health products industry and to the community.
LEIGH CLIFFORD AO
– Class of 1964
Another successful Australian businessman and corporate executive, Leigh Clifford made his name running some of the country’s biggest companies. He served as the CEO of Rio Tinto from 2000-2007 and then as chairman of iconic Australian airline, Qantas, from 2007-2018. His success in the business world led to Mr Clifford being awarded the Officer of the order of Australia (AO) medal in 2008 for service to business through executive roles in the mining industry, to the promotion of international trade and the development of export markets, and to the arts.
PAUL DE JERSEY AC, GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND
– Class of 1965
His excellency, the Honourable Paul de Jersey is the current Governor of Queensland and is one of the most notable lawyers in the state. He also was the 17th Chief Justice of Queensland from 1998 to 2014. He was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2000 for service to the law, to judicial reform, and to the community through the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane providing leadership and commitment in fostering greater awareness of the provision of welfare services, education and health care.
NICK EARLS
– Class of 1980
An award-winning author, Nick Earls is an internationally renowned name famous for writing fiction for adults, teenagers and children. His best works include 48 Shades of Brown, the Wisdom Tree novella series and Perfect Skin. Earls’ works have resulted in numerous awards over the years, including a Betty Trask Award (UK) and Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year award. Several of his novels have also been adapted into stage plays
GYTON GRANTLEY
– Class of 1997
Arguably one of the most well-known names on this list and one a lot of people wouldn’t know spent his schooling years at Churchie is Australian actor and comedian Gyton Grantley. Having starred in many major Australian productions, it was Grantley’s portrayal of Melbourne crime figure Carl Williams in the hit television series, Underbelly, which sparked his rise to stardom. It was also the role which helped Grantley claim the 2009 Logie for most outstanding actor in 2009. He has been part of many other successful television shows, including Home And Away and House Husbands as well as playing roles in more than 10 films, including The Dressmaker in 2015, which featured Kate Winslet and Liam Hemsworth.
MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL HINDMARSH CSC AM AO DSC
– Class of 1973
A retired senior officer of the Australian Army with more than 30 years of service, Michael Hindmarsh is one of Australia’s most decorated military soldiers. His three decades of service has resulted in many illustrious awards including the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in 1999 and the Member (AM) of the Order of Australia medal in 2003 for exceptional leadership in force preparation and logistic support as the Commander of Task Force 633.3 in the Middle East Area of Operations, during Operation FALCONER. Mr Hindmarsh was also awarded Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in 2008 and the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in 2009 for distinguished command and leadership in action in the Middle East Area of Operations as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 for Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER.
DR CLEM JONES
– Class of 1934
One of the men who helped shape Brisbane and one of the most well-known figures in the history of the city. Dr Clem Jones was the eighth Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1961-1975, and successfully led the council to develop a town plan, seal roads, improve drainage and connect sewers to most of the city. He was also responsible for putting together one of the biggest sporting complexes in Brisbane in the suburb of Carina, now known as the Clem Jones Centre, which is home to more than 8000 members and 17 sporting clubs. He would also have the new tunnel connecting the southside and northside of Brisbane named after him. He was awarded Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 1976 for distinguished service of a high degree in the fields of public service and local government. He also received the Queensland Senior Australian of the Year in 2007. Dr Jones died on December 15, 2007.
LLOYD MCDERMOTT
– Class of 1957
Lloyd McDermott is one of the most legendary and inspiring names in Australian history for breaking barriers and becoming first indigenous person to earn several major accolades. First of all, he became Australia’s first indigenous athlete to play for the Wallabies in 1962, when they took on the New Zealand All Blacks. He would make two appearances for the Wallabies before later returning to rugby league and briefly playing for Wynnum Manly. Mr McDermott was also Australia’s first indigenous barrister after graduating from law in the early 1960s. He also did a large amount of incredible work in the community, establishing the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team with a group of rugby enthusiasts to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in rugby union. He died on April 6, 2019 aged 79.
JOHN MILLMAN
– Class of 2006
John Millman is one of Australia’s best professional tennis players and is currently ranked No. 43 in the world. Rising from the lowest of rankings during the first few years on the professional tour, Millman reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 33 in the world in October 2018 and has earned more than $3 million in prize money. Known for being a Mr Nice Guy, Millman made the quarter final of the US Open in 2018 after beating arguably the greatest player ever, Roger Federer, in the fourth round. He has also reached the third round of Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Most recently, his win against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in the Davis Cup Qualifying Round in March secured Australia’s spot in the Davis Cup finals to be held later this year.
PROFESSOR DAVID PATERSON
– Class of 1982
Professor Paterson is Director at The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research. He is also a Consultant Infectious Diseases Physician at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Australia’s largest hospital and ranked in the top 100 hospitals of the world). He is Australia’s most cited Infectious Diseases Physician and is the country’s highest cited researcher in the field of Microbiology. He has been in the ISI Thomson Reuters Highly Cited List, recognising the world’s most influential researchers, annually from 2015 to 2019.
He is also involved in the Australasian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT) study testing the effectiveness of treatments for COVID-19.
DAVID POCOCK
– Class of 2005
David Pocock will go down as one of the best players to suit up for the Australian Wallabies rugby union team. After playing for Churchie’s undefeated team in 2005 alongside Quade Cooper, Pocock went on to play 78 games for the Wallabies, including several years as captain of the side, even leading the team to a grand final appearance at the 2015 World Cup. He burst onto the scene with the Western Force in 2006 and played for the team until 2012 before joining the ACT Brumbies. After retiring from international rugby last year, Pocock has continued to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan. Pocock is also known for his work surrounding global warming in Australia and many other issues. He is also the co-founder of EightyTwenty Vision, an organisation that partnered with a rural Zimbabwean community development organisation working in Nkayi, Zimbabwe.
KALYN PONGA
– Class of 2015
After receiving hype from around the world from highlight videos of his time playing rugby union for Churchie, Kalyn Ponga has gone on to be one of the hottest products in the NRL since. He started his career with the North Queensland Cowboys before signing one of the richest deals in the league to join the Newcastle Knights, which he extended earlier this year to stay at the club until the end of 2024. The 22-year-old has already played at the highest level, having made his State of Origin debut for the Queensland Maroons in 2018 and playing the whole 2019 series at fullback last year.
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