Vote for Townsville’s biggest celebrity
From internationally-recognised personalities to sports stars and award-winning beauties, Townsville has been the home of some of Australia’s most recognisable faces and talent. But who is our most famous? VOTE NOW >>>
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FROM internationally-recognised media personalities, to acclaimed athletes and award-winning beauties, Townsville has been the home of some of Australia’s most recognisable faces and talent.
We’ve taken a deep-dive into the celebrities that called Townsville home so you can decide who is the most famous.
Julian Assange
Perhaps one of the most prominent media figures of our time, Julian Assange was born right here in Townsville.
The WikiLeaks founder was originally born with the surname of Hawkins back in July 1971, but was changed years later when his mother, a local artist, remarried.
Mr Assange even lived for a short time on Magnetic Island at Nelly Bay, which was destroyed by a fire.
During his schooling years, Mr Assange walked the halls of Townsville State High School.
Jason Clarke
The former Ignatius Park College 1986 graduate shot to stardom, featuring in multiple blockbusters throughout his career.
Clarke has worked alongside Hollywood greats such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hardy, Johnny Depp and Ryan Gosling.
He has starred in Planet of the Apes, Terminator Genisys, Zero Dark Thirty and Mudbound.
Clarke’s films have grossed more than $500m since hitting the big screen in the 1992, with his first big success coming in the critically acclaimed Australian film Rabbit Proof Fence in 2002.
Karrie Webb
Born south of Townsville in Ayr, golfing legend Karrie Webb made a name for herself as part of the Australian Amateur team in the ‘90s.
Despite her career taking her across the world to Europe, the United States and Asia – where she won numerous tournaments and championships – she held on to a piece of the North.
Ms Webb bought the Delta Theatre in Ayr in 2000, which was managed and run by her parents, Robert and Evelyn Webb, until it was sold in 2021.
Rachael Finch
One of Townsvilles most notorious beauties, Townsville local Rachael Finch never thought she’d one day make national headlines as a model.
But that is exactly what happened, with the former 2009 Miss Universe Australia discovered at the Townsville Airport by a modelling scout.
Speaking to the Townsville Bulletin in 2020, Finch said she treasures the memories of her North Queensland childhood.
Johnathan Thurston
The Cowboys premiership winner and four-time Dally M Medal winner was just last year inducted into the North Queensland Hall of Fame.
Thurston played 324 games in his career and is the most-capped Cowboy in the history of the club.
Speaking to the Bulletin last year, Thurston said the club transformed him from a “rat-bag kid”.
In late 2021, Thurston and his family purchased one of the nicest homes in Rowes Bay for a record price around $4.5 million.
It is the same address Australian golfing legend Greg Norman owned and lived in.
Madeline Cowe
The model took out the 2015 Miss Universe Australia, and continued her winning streak to be crowned Miss World Australia in 2016.
She was awarded the title of Miss World 2016 under the Miss World Oceania title.
Her latest achievement includes a fourth runner-up at Miss Universe Australia in 2019.
Rick Donald
This Townsville local starred in family favourite shows such as 800 Words, Wentworth and House Husbands.
But the former Kirwan State High School student has taken up his latest role as Franky Wood on Australia’s Sexiest Tradie, a mockumentary-style comedy written and created by Donald.
In conversation with the Bulletin last year, Donald admitted many Townsville locals helped inspire his creative work.
Elle Graham (Woodes)
Former Townsville songbird Elle Graham, known by her stage name Woodes, has captured the attention of audiences since 2016.
Now based in Melbourne, she has not stopped working since, releasing her debut album Crystal Ball in November 2020.
Libby Trickett
Townsville’s own Olympic golden girl lived between Mount Louisa and the Lakes until she was 10, and says it was here that her love for sports and the great outdoors was born.
The four-time Olympic medallist in 2019 told the Bulletin she spent hours swimming at the Tobruk and Kokoda pools.
Sam Thaiday
The Brisbane Broncos legend may have been born in Sydney, but he was raised right here in Townsville.
The former Kirwan State High School student got a taste of the sport playing junior rugby league for Brothers.
Harriet Dyer
Dyer, a Townsville Grammar graduate, has graced our loungeroom televisions and the silver screen during her most memorable performances in Love Child, Killing Ground, and in The Invisible Man.
Mitchell Johnson
The legendary left-handed fast bowler was born and raised in Townsville, where he grew a love for tennis, before he traded the racquet for a cricket bat.
His fastest bowl was recorded at 156.8km/h during the 2013-14 Ashes series in Melbourne.
Jack Miller
Aussie MotoGP champion Miller grew up racing and riding his quad bike and motorbike on his parent’s property outside of Townsville since he was eight years old.
He was the Australian Dirt Bike champion in 2003 in the 65cc category and
Miller first raced in the Moto3 World Championship in 2012 and in the MotoGP world Championship in 2015.
Greg Norman
World-renowned Golfer Greg Norman began life in 1955 at Mount Isa, before moving to Townsville.
A Championship golfer, Norman has built a corporate empire involving everything from restaurants, property development, real estate, Wagyu beef and clothing.
He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001, was granted “legend” status under the Sport Australia Hall of fame in 2008, and is the namesake of the Greg Norman Medal – a yearly award for the greatest Australian golfers.
Madge Ryan
Townsville born and bred, Ryan starred in roles on stage productions such as Entertaining Mr Sloane, Medea and Philadelphia, Here I come.
Most famously, Ryan starred as Dr Branom in A Clockwork Orange. Her daughter, Lyn Ashley was also born in Townsville and followed her mother’s footsteps in the acting world.
Laurie Lawrence
Lawrence’s father managed the Tobruk Pool, where Lawrence found a love for swimming.
He has coached Australian Olympic Swimming team members representing the country across two decades of Olympic Games.
He headed the Kids Alive Drowning Prevention Campaign in 1988, most memorable by the slogan “Kids Alive – Do the Five”
Pricey
Steve ‘Pricey’ Price has been on the airwaves in Townsville for three decades.
Pricey is the breakfast show host and is one of the most recognisable faces, and voices, of morning radio in the North.
Trent Bell
A Kirwan High graduate, Bell has graced our TV screens throughout his career, after auditioning for Australian Idol, The X Factor and was a contestant on The Voice season seven.
Bell was part of the five-piece band The Collective.
Glenn ‘Minty’ Mintern
A local media personality who has worked countless major events through his more than 30-year career, Minty is one of the most recognisable voices having previously hosting the morning and then the afternoon drive slot at former 4TOFM.
After working both the All Stars and State of Origin in Townsville, he was the voice of the NRL grand Final in 2021. A moment he called a “career highlight”.
Justin Fimmel
The face behind satirical news page, Townsville News Flash, Fimmel is a familiar face around town.
In addition, Fimmel is also a drummer, and brand and promotions assistant for Southern Cross Austereo.
Ning Surasiang
Former Married At First Sight bride Ning has called Townsville home for more than 25 years.
She starred in the sixth season of the hit program, and was paired with Melbourne fitness instructor Mark Scrivens.
The 36-year-old hairdresser became a grandmother for the first time in 2021 after her then 17-year-old daughter gave birth to a little girl.
Originally published as Vote for Townsville’s biggest celebrity
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