Star Students: Merrimac State High School’s top alumni

Since opening in 1979, Merrimac State High School has seen everyone from sporting legends to celebrity chefs pass through its doors. Here’s some of their best.

Ben Mahoney — Professional Boxer. GRADUATED: 2012. NOW: Champion Muay Thai fighter with numerous Australian championships, current professional boxer with a record 7 wins 0 losses

1/12Ben Mahoney — Professional Boxer. GRADUATED: 2012. NOW: Champion Muay Thai fighter with numerous Australian championships, current professional boxer with a record 7 wins 0 losses

2/12Trevor Hendy. GRADUATED: 1986. NOW: Australian Ironman champion Picture: Jerad Williams

3/12Caine Eckstein. GRADUATED: 2003. NOW: Australian Ironman Surf Lifesaving champion Picture: Jerad Williams

Pete Evans. GRADUATED: 1990. NOW: Chef and author, current My Kitchen Rules judge since 2010 and sold the most cookbooks in Australia last year Picture: Channel 7

4/12Pete Evans. GRADUATED: 1990. NOW: Chef and author, current My Kitchen Rules judge since 2010 and sold the most cookbooks in Australia last year Picture: Channel 7

Savanna Haenel. GRADUATED: 2016. NOW: Performer at Lido de Paris, one of the city’s most famous cabarets, and niece of famous Moulin Rouge lead dancer Marissa Burgess. Photo: Supplied

5/12Savanna Haenel. GRADUATED: 2016. NOW: Performer at Lido de Paris, one of the city’s most famous cabarets, and niece of famous Moulin Rouge lead dancer Marissa Burgess. Photo: Supplied

Chris Black. GRADUATED: 2009. NOW: Current contestant on The Voice who turned all four chairs, former Search for a Megastar competition runner-up, Hallenstein Brothers model

6/12Chris Black. GRADUATED: 2009. NOW: Current contestant on The Voice who turned all four chairs, former Search for a Megastar competition runner-up, Hallenstein Brothers model

Amber Pilley. GRADUATED: 2014. NOW: Plays centre for the Brisbane Broncos Women’s Team and Indigenous All Stars, finalist in The Gold Coast Bulletin’s Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year campaign. Pic Tim Marsden

7/12Amber Pilley. GRADUATED: 2014. NOW: Plays centre for the Brisbane Broncos Women’s Team and Indigenous All Stars, finalist in The Gold Coast Bulletin’s Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year campaign. Pic Tim Marsden

8/12Courtney Quinn. GRADUATED: 2018. NOW: Student at ED5 International in Sydney, Australia’s premiere full time performing arts academy

Grant Hackett. GRADUATED: 1997. NOW: Former professional Australian swimmer, multiple gold medallist and former world record holder, former Director at Regan Funds Management, current CEO of Generation Development Group Melbourne Picture: Nicki Connolly

9/12Grant Hackett. GRADUATED: 1997. NOW: Former professional Australian swimmer, multiple gold medallist and former world record holder, former Director at Regan Funds Management, current CEO of Generation Development Group Melbourne Picture: Nicki Connolly

Marcus Ashcroft. GRADUATED: 1988. NOW: Former professional Australian rules footballer who played 318 games for the Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions, and is currently on the coaching panel of the Gold Coast Football Club. The Marcus Ashcroft Medal, awarded to the player judged best on ground, is named after him. Pic Tim Marsden

10/12Marcus Ashcroft. GRADUATED: 1988. NOW: Former professional Australian rules footballer who played 318 games for the Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions, and is currently on the coaching panel of the Gold Coast Football Club. The Marcus Ashcroft Medal, awarded to the player judged best on ground, is named after him. Pic Tim Marsden

Steven McLuckie. GRADUATED: 1990. NOW: Former Australian rules footballer who played with the Brisbane Bears, made the combined Queensland-Northern Territory State of Origin squad in 1993, won a Joe Grant Medal in 2000 and has been a principal at several schools around the Gold Coast for a number of years. Pic by Luke Marsden.

11/12Steven McLuckie. GRADUATED: 1990. NOW: Former Australian rules footballer who played with the Brisbane Bears, made the combined Queensland-Northern Territory State of Origin squad in 1993, won a Joe Grant Medal in 2000 and has been a principal at several schools around the Gold Coast for a number of years. Pic by Luke Marsden.

Ricky Petterd. GRADUATED: 2005. NOW: Former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne Football Club and Richmond Football Club. Picture: Colleen Petch

12/12Ricky Petterd. GRADUATED: 2005. NOW: Former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne Football Club and Richmond Football Club. Picture: Colleen Petch

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