The Marist Alumni Project identifies and celebrates the contribution Marist educated men and women have made to our nation. This project aligns itself with Marcellin Champagnat’s call to all of us, particularly in the education of the young, to ‘form good Christians and virtuous citizens.’
The main outcome of this project is the creation of an Anthology of Outstanding Australian Marist Alumni. The Anthology is a way of recognising those alumni who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to Australian life. All our schools and organisations unquestionably have many, many ex-students who have gone on to became highly productive, influential and honourable citizens of this country. The intent of the Marist Alumni Project is to capture some of those who have truly made their mark on Australian society.
Marist schools are invited to provide further nominations to the Marist Alumni: submit nominees via the online form.
For inquiries related to the Marist Alumni, please email: alumniproject@marists.org.au.
Parramatta Marist High School early 1890s.
Began playing senior Rugby Union for Parramatta in 1893.
Debuted for NSW in 1895, playing 30 matches over 10 years and scoring 120 points.
Played for Australia five times, including three times as captain.
Appointed Assistant Manager of the Wallabies in 1908.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
Parramatta Marist High School 1949-1954.
Captained the 1956 Olympic Swimming Squad at the Melbourne Olympics, winning gold in the 200m freestyle relay and silver in the 100m freestyle.
Captained the 1960 Olympics Swimming Squad at the Rome Olympics, winning gold in the 100m freestyle, breaking the world record which he held for over 4 years.
Worked as a member of the Australian Olympic Committee.
Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979.
Made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1989.
Received the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Parramatta Marist High School 1949-1955.
Established the Gastroenterology Research Unit at the University of Western Australia and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
Recipient of the Most Outstanding Paediatrician in Asia in 1997.
Became the first Australian to be made the President of the International Paediatric Association (IPA) in 1988
Worked extensively with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Received the Medal of Honour of the IPA and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2001.
Had a private audience with the 14th Dalai Lama.
Parramatta Marist High School 1950-1955.
Bachelor of Arts and Law (first class honours) followed by a Masters in Law from Harvard Law School.
Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1981 followed by an appointment to the Federal Court as Justice in 1994 where he served on the bench for 15 years.
Parramatta Marist High School 1981-1988.
Announced as CEO of St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney in 2014.
Adjunct Professor in Health Sciences at Australian Catholic University and Adjunct Professor in Medicine at University of Notre Dame Australia. Also a Conjoint Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney.
Sits on numerous health and Medical Research Boards.
Named as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 for significant service to medical research and hospital administration.
Parramatta Marist Hight School 1962-1969.
Surgeon specialising in head and neck surgery, with particular emphasis on head and neck cancer.
Director of the Sydney Cancer Centre based at the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital and the University of Sydney.
Served as Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Sydney and was the Founder and Director of the Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute.
Appeared on the Channel 9 television program RPA, achieving national recognition for his compassion and surgical ability.
Received AM in 2005 and posthumously made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2009.
Known as a visionary for centres of excellence in NSW for cancer treatment, care and research and this culminated in the establishment of the comprehensive cancer centre in Camperdown, named the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, which is his legacy.
Remembered as one of the finest young men ever to attend Parramatta Marist.
Trinity College Auburn-Regents Park 1946-1952 / Parramatta Marist High School 1953-1954.
Competed in Athletics for the Western Suburbs club, competing for NSW in 1960.
Later invited to compete in the Auckland Games, winning the trophy for 220 yards.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
Parramatta Marist High School 1948-1956.
Founded IBISWorld in 1971, an international corporation that provides online business information forecasting.
Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, and a member of the Australian National University College of Business & Economics Advisory Board.
Named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2014 for significant service to Australian business and commerce.