Star Students: St Augustine’s College graduates who have excelled

The Far North has produced some of the country’s leaders in sport, arts and politics. But where did they get their start? Today we reveal the most notable alumni from St Augustine’s College.

St Augustine’s College in Cairns.

FAR North Queensland has produced some of the country’s best leaders in sport, arts and politics.

But where did they all get their start?

For many it was their local school, where they received their education and started preparations for adult life.

DISCOVER ALL THE BENEFITS OF A CAIRNS POST SUBSCRIPTION

The Cairns Post is taking a look at the shining alumni, our ‘star students’ from schools across the region and checking in with what they’re up to now.

We asked our major schools to share their outstanding alumni with us.

The list is long and includes Hollywood actors, musicians, politicians and sports stars.

PART 1: TRINITY BAY STATE HIGH SCHOOL

PART 2: SMITHFIELD STATE HIGH SCHOOL

PART 3: TRINITY ANGLICAN SCHOOL

PART 4: PEACE LUTHERAN COLLEGE

PART 5: ST MONICA’S COLLEGE

PART 6: REDLYNCH STATE COLLEGE

Today’s featured school is St Augustine’s College.

STAR STUDENTS: ST AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE

Television journalist and media personality Karl Stefanovic graduated from St Augustine’s in Cairns in 1991. He co-hosted morning show Today for 14 years and currently hosts This Time Next Year. Picture: @BenFordhamLive

Sky News presenter and journalist Peter Stefanovic graduated from St Augustine’s seven years after his brother Karl, in 1998. Photographer: Belinda Rolland

Former Socceroos player and coach Frank Farina graduated from St Augustine’s College in 1981. He went on to score 14 goals in 67 games for the Socceroos between 1984 and 1985. He coached the team from 1998-2005 and has since coached the Brisbane Strikers, Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2000.

Cairns Taipans player Nathan Jawai grew up in Bamaga before starting high school at St Augustine’s. He started playing basketball at age 15 and just two years later was playing competitively for the Cairns Marlins. He also played college basketball in the USA before returning to Cairns.

Former NRL player Nate Myles graduated from St Augustine’s in 2001. The Gordonvale star retired in 2017 after playing a total of 233 career games with Canterbury, the Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast, Manly and finally the Melbourne Storm. He also played 32 State of Origin matches for Queensland and has a Cairns Regional Council road sign in his honour. Since his retirement he has spent time in Los Angeles with his actor wife Tessa James. (Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Fellow NRL player James Segeyaro, who is signed to the Brisbane Broncos, graduated in 2007 from St Augustine's. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Before Myles and Segeyaro, there was Rod Jensen (pictured with the ball). He graduated from St Augustine’s in 1996 before playing league for the Adelaide Rams, Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys and Huddersfield Giants in the UK. He is now based back in the Far North, where he was CEO of the Northern Pride from 2015-16.

The Stefanovic brothers aren’t the only journalists to have graduated from St Augustine’s. ABC News Channel presenter Joe O’Brien became an alumnus in 1985.

World champion triathlete Brad Beven graduated from St Augustine's one year after Joe O’Brien — in 1986. Beven — nicknamed The Croc in a nod to his years training in the Far North waters — has been ranked the No. 1 triathlete in the world four times, won seven Australian crowns and was a five-time winner of the world-class Formula One series. He now runs the Brad Beven Triathlon squad in Brisbane.

Former Australian cricketer Jimmy Maher with the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy. Mr Maher was a 1989 graduate of St Augustine’s College. Picture: Mike Batterham

Justice Kerry Cullinane at the official ceremony to present his portrait which will hang in the Townsville Supreme Court. Mr Cullinane graduated from St Augustine’s College in 1959.

Jockey Frank Reys kisses the Melbourne Cup trophy he won for Pat Curtain, owner of racehorse Gala Supreme, in the 1973 Melbourne Cup. Mr Reys left St Augustine’s College at age 15 to pursue a career in jockeying.

AFL player Jack Bowes graduated from St Augustine’s College in 2015. He currently plays for the Gold Coast Suns. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Quantum physicist Dr Dylan Saunders (middle) with Year 9 St Augustine's College students. He graduated from the College in 2004.

Dr Roy Whittaker is the first indigenous doctor from the Torres Strait. He graduated from St Augustine’s College in 1988.

Gold Coast Suns player Jacob Heron graduated St Augustine’s College a year after his teammate Jack Bowes, in 2016.

AFL player Peter Yagmoor graduated from St Augustine’s College in 2007. He’s currently playing for Redlands in the NEAFL.

Other notable alumni

Sam Michael (2009), AFL player

Hassan Ahmad (2006), Co-founder of charity ‘Conscious Step’

Edward Watkins (1976), Founding Partner & Leadership Game Changer from the Torres Strait

Vince Fitzgerald, OAM (1961) — In 2016, Mr Fitzgerald received an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished services to business through executive and advisory roles in economic policy development, public administration and financial management organisations and to the community.

Dr Daniel D’Hotman (2011) — Doctor, current Rhodes Scholar recipient.

Originally published as Star Students: St Augustine’s College graduates who have excelled