Tasmania’s Star Students: Hobart College
From princesses to actors, musicians to sports stars, Tasmania has produced some incredible people educated within their walls that have gone on to change Australia — and the world. SEE THE FULL LIST of star students from Hobart College >>
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From premiers to neuroscientists, musicians to sports stars, the state’s schools have seen incredible people educated within their walls that have gone on to change Australia — and the world.
The Mercury is shining a light on some of the state’s most prolific alumni as part of its Star Students series.
Today, we feature star alumni from Hobart College. Check back tomorrow as we roll out our star-studded roll call from each of our public high schools throughout the week.
Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark (Mary Donaldson)
The former Taroona High and Hobart College student moved to Melbourne after completing a combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Tasmania.
She forged a career in advertising and then landed a job for a real estate firm in Sydney selling luxury properties.
She met Frederik, Crown Prince of Demnark, at a Sydney pub while the Prince was in Australia during the 2000 Olympic Games.
They were engaged in 2003, with their marriage portrayed as a modern “fairytale romance”.
Penny Jones
Junior research fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research.
She has a multi-disciplinary background in policy development, research in areas such as archaeology and palaeoecology. Her recent work is in the area of pollen types and the impact on public health.
Dr Zoe Gao
Australian-based health professional and is trained as an ophthalmologist.
She has undertaken research in interstate universities and she continues to be at the forefront of work in this area.
Marilyn Lake
Author and Professor of History. She is recognised for her work on the effects of the military and war on Australian civil society, along with the political history of Australian women.
Her efforts impacted on the movement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights.
Di Drew
One of Australia’s most respected and experienced drama directors and is the recipient of the Australian Director’s Guild prestigious annual award in recognition of consistent excellence in the art of screen direction in feature film and television.
Claire Williams
Actor who, after studying at Hobart College, completed a UTAS degree in Bachelor of Arts. She became Faculty Director for Creative Industries and managed Fine Arts, Digital Media, Design, fashion, music and Performing Arts. She has played an active role in theatre companies and is a creative thinker and presenter.
Amanda Lohrey
Award-winning Australian novelist and social commentator who attended UTAS and was offered a scholarship to Cambridge University.
Her most recent novel is titled The Labyrinth.
Dr Genevieve Grant
Director of the Australian Centre for Justice Innovation and a Convener of the Monash Law Faculty’s Law, Health and Wellbeing Research Centre.
Ted Best
Company director chair of Hobart Marine Board and Tasmanian Confederation of Industries.
Ted has undertaken a number of leadership roles and his opinions have been sought after on a wide range of issues relating to Tasmania’s growth and strategic development. Former Cadbury general manager.
Peter Conrad
Rhodes Scholar with numerous publications relating to English literature, modern film to opera.
He has been a prolific writer of features and reviews for the New York Times, the New Yorker and The Observer. After his Rhodes scholarship he became a distinguished academic.
Jessica Radford
Manager of Brand Tasmania Project.
She studied at Oxford University. She is a Rhodes Scholar and has played a number of roles in high levels of government. Working in the area of Department of Health and Human Services, she has contributed to policy development and strategic advice.
Tara Morice
Film, stage and television actor.
She is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art and has worked extensively on stage in Australia and in such films as Strictly Ballroom Moulin Rouge! and Dance Academy.
Chris Harmsen
He has competed in more than 20 Sydney to Hobart yacht races, has sailed in numerous victories, both line honours and handicap, including on-board Wild Oats XI and as a member of the all-Tasmanian crew of maxi ketch Tasmania for the 50th anniversary race.
Dr Dorothy Bruck
Widely recognised academic who has expertise in sleep/wake behaviour, mental health and human behaviour in emergencies and the needs of culturally diverse communities.
Professor Buck has been an international legal expert witness and her research has been regularly featured in the media, including Time Magazine and New Scientist.
Geoff Farrell
Professor of Medicine and Head of Liver Research Unit at Canberra Hospital.
He studied at UTAS and has held numerous leadership roles including president of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, Head of University of Sydney and editor-in-chief for a leading Australian medical journal.
Stuart Hamilton AO
Rhodes Scholar (1971) who specialises in the area of linguistics. He gained a Bachelor of Economics in 1980 and held senior positions in the Commonwealth Public Service and served as Secretary of three government departments during his career.
He was CEO of Universities Australia and Open Universities Australia.
Dr Geoff Haward, AM
Lectures at the University of Cambridge faculty of Education.
He studied at Oxford and is passionate about education and overcoming social disadvantage.
Rhys Edwards
Rhodes Scholar, currently works as a senior consultant in policy and strategy in government.
He is a member of the university council and was Secretary to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
He studied at UTAS and then moved onto Oxford University.
Dr Emma Clark
Was awarded a scholarship to study Medicine at UTAS. Her passion for helping those who are disadvantaged led her to missions in the Philippines, Pakistan and Iraq through Medecins Sans Frontiers. She is currently working in the emergency department at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Dr Stas Shabala
Astrophysicist lecturing in physics at UTAS.
He is an ARC Early Career Fellow who is working on the formulation and evolution of galaxies. He is interested in next generation, large sky surveys.
Richard Wielebinski
Professor of Astronomy and Emeritus Director, and holds a leading role in Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Bonn. He studied engineering at UTAS, then moved to radio astronomy after a PhD thesis from Cambridge University. He has been awarded a number of international honours and has been widely recognised for his ground-breaking work.
Dr Peter Brooks, AM
Physician and Professor of Medicine. He is a frequent commentator on health policy and on the importance of developing evidence-based work in this area. In 2010 he was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia for services to rheumatology.
Nicholas Hope
World Bank Economist and Director at Stanford.
His research interests are in East Asian economies, especially China and Indonesia. His current research focus is private enterprise development and progress of reform in China, especially in the finance sector.
Heather Rose
Award-winning novelist and businesswoman. She is the author of eight novels, her most recent titled Bruny, and has been published internationally.
Her novels have won awards for literary fiction, crime fiction, fantasy and children’s literature. She was the Telstra Business Woman of the Year 2004 and continues to contribute to the literary community.
Henry Reynolds
Hobart-born historian, educator and author who taught in secondary schools in Australia and England before joining the staff of James Cook University in 1966. Author of more than 10 books and an Honorary Research Professor in Aboriginal Studies, Global Cultures and Languages at UTAS.
Malcolm McCusker
Australian barrister, philanthropist and 31st Governor of Western Australia.
Attended Lenah Valley Primary School and Hobart High School until his family returned to Western Australia in 1953.
Rodney Eade
Four-time VFL/AFL premiership winner and coach. He is a former coach of the Sydney Swans, the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast.
Geoff Poulter
Journalist and sports commentator.
Among other roles, he was a sport reporter with the Mercury and The Age and chief football writer for the Herald Sun.
He won numerous awards for football journalism and was inducted into the MCG Hall of Fame for writing in cricket and football.
Jane Hutchinson
Awarded Tasmanian of the Year in 2016 and she is currently a nationally recognised conservationist, whose passion for protecting the natural environment has contributed to the quality of lives of present and future generations of Australians.
Leigh Carmichael
Creative director of Mona and Dark MOFO.
He has been recognised as one of the most influential cultural voices by AFR.
Geoffrey Dyer
Won the Archibald Prize in 2003 and studied at UTAS School of Art.
He exhibited regularly at galleries around Australia and overseas including Shanghai and Hong Kong.
His inspirational work is represented in many private and public collections.
Sir Eardley Max Bingham
Distinguished Tasmanian lawyer and politician. He was Attorney-General, deputy premier and leader of the opposition over a period of 15 years. He was appointed to the National Crime Authority and the Criminal Justice Commission in Queensland.
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