List of Old Sydneians explained

The following is a list of notable past pupils of Sydney Grammar School (SGS). Former pupils of the School are known as Old Sydneians.

Politics, public service and the law

Lawyers

High Court of Australia

• Sir Edmund Barton (1859–1864), former Justice of the High Court of Australia and the first Prime Minister of Australia
• William Gummow, former Justice of the High Court of Australia
• Sir Anthony Mason, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and Chancellor of the University of New South Wales^[1]
• Sir Richard O'Connor (1867), former Justice of the High Court of Australia and politician^[2]
• Albert Piddington, former Justice of the High Court of Australia^[3]
• Sir George Rich, former Justice of the High Court of Australia^[4]
• Sir Victor Windeyer, former Justice of the High Court of Australia

Federal Court of Australia

• James Allsop AO, current Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia

Supreme Court of New South Wales

• Sir Leslie Herron, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales^[5]
• Kim Santow, former Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales Court of Appeal, and a former Chancellor of the University of Sydney^[5]
• Sir Kenneth Street, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales^[6]
• Sir Philip Street, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales^[7]

Other notable lawyers

• Alan Blow AO, current Chief Justice of Tasmania and Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania
• Sir Norman Cowper, former lawyer. businessman, and administrator

Politicians

Australian parliament

• Sir Edmund Barton (1859–1864), the first Prime Minister of Australia; Justice of the High Court of Australia^[8]
• Peter Baume, former Senator for New South Wales; physician; Chancellor of the Australian National University^[9]
• Max Falstein, Member for Watson (1940–1949) in the Australian House of Representatives^[10]
• Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield in the Australian House of Representatives
• Sir William McMahon (In Office 10 March 1971 – 5 December 1972), 20th Prime Minister of Australia^[11]
• Harold Thorby, former Member for Calare in the Australian House of Representatives and NSW government minister^[12]
• Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia^[13]

New South Wales parliament

• Sir George Fuller, former Premier of New South Wales^[14]
• Alex Greenwich, current Member for Sydney^[15]
• Sir Norman Kater, politician, medical practitioner and grazier^[16]
• James Macarthur-Onslow, member of both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council; Australian Army Major General; later a businessman
• John Maddison, former Attorney General of New South Wales^[17]
• Harold Thorby, former NSW government minister and Member for Calare in the Australian House of Representatives^[12]
• Andrew Tink, former politician, historian and author^[18]

Other state parliaments

• Alan Cobcroft, former member of the Legislative Council of Samoa^[19]
• John Fletcher, former Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and cricketer
• Charles Mein (1857–1859), justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Member of the Queensland Legislative Council^[20]
• Sir Boyd Dunlop Morehead, former Premier of Queensland^[21]

Local government and community activism

• George Newhouse, former Mayor of Waverley Municipal Council^[22]
• Brett Solomon, co-founder of accessnow.org^[23]

Public servants

• Vivian Brain, former electrical engineer and first Deputy-Chairman of the Electricity Commission of New South Wales^[24]
• Nicholas Cowdery, former Director of Public Prosecutions in New South Wales.^[25]
• James Fraser, former civil engineer and Chief Commissioner of New South Wales Government Railways from 1917 to 1929^{[26] [27]}
• Sir Robert Garran, former lawyer and first Solicitor-General of Australia^[28]
• Sir Hubert Murray, former Lieutenant-Governor of the Territory of Papua and boxer^[29]

Military service

• General John Antill, Australian Army Major General during World War I^[30]
• Clive Caldwell, Royal Australian Air Force World War II ace fighter pilot^[31]
• General Sir Harry Chauvel, Australian Army Chief of Staff
• General John Grey, Australian Army Chief and Chancellor of James Cook University
• James Gordon Legge, Australian Army Lieutenant General during World War I^[32]
• James Macarthur-Onslow, Australian Army Major General during the Second Boer War and World War I, and later politician and businessman^[33]
• Henry Normand MacLaurin, Australian Army Brigadier General during World War I^[34]

Humanities

Academia

• Henry Kingsley Archdall, academic and clergyman
• Sir Christopher Clark, academic and Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge
• Alec Hill, historian
• Dr Stephen Spurr, headmaster at the Westminster School^[35]
• E G Waterhouse, linguist, professor of German at Sydney University, plant breeder

Social sciences

• Hugh Mackay, social commentator and former Chairman of Trustees of Sydney Grammar School^[36]
• Malcolm Mackerras, psephologist^[37]

Media and journalism

• George Blaikie, author and journalist
• Richard Carleton, reporter with the Australian edition of 60 Minutes^[38]
• Charles Firth, member of The Chaser comedy team^[39]
• Bruce Gyngell, first man to appear on Australian television^[40]
• Paul Karp, chief political correspondent at Guardian Australia^[41]
• Dominic Knight, member of The Chaser comedy team^[39]
• Chas Licciardello, member of The Chaser comedy team^[39]
• Tim Palmer, journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation^[42]
• Siimon Reynolds, Australian advertising executive who developed the Grim Reaper advertisement for AIDS awareness^[43]
• Nicholas Stuart, author and journalist
• Jonathan Swan, journalist with Axios^[44]

Business

• Len Ainsworth, founder of Aristocrat Leisure Limited
• Demetrius Comino, engineer, inventor and philanthropist^[45]
• Sir James Oswald Fairfax (1863–1928), newspaper proprietor^[46]
• Sir James Reading Fairfax (1834–1919), newspaper proprietor^[47]
• David Gonski, current Chairman of the Future Fund, Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia Council chairman, and Chancellor of the University of New South Wales^[1]
• Simon Hannes, Macquarie Bank executive who was convicted of insider trading
• Sir Samuel Hordern, a director of Anthony Hordern & Sons^[48]
• Steven Lowy, co-Chief Executive Officer of Westfield Corporation

Sport

Athletics

• Slip Carr, Australian Olympian sprinter (1924)^[49]
• Lachlan Renshaw, Australian Olympian middle distance runner (2008)

Boxing

• Sir Hubert Murray (1872–1877), English Amateur Heavyweight Boxing Champion; Lieutenant-Governor of the Territory of Papua^[29]

Cricket

• Eric Barbour, NSW cricketer with 23 first class matches and 1,577 runs^[50]
• Sir Edmund Barton (1859–1864), first class umpire; first Prime Minister of Australia^[51]
• Jim Burke, Australian international with 24 tests and 1,280 runs^[52]
• Albert Cotter, Australian international with 21 tests and 89 wickets^[53]
• John Fletcher, Queensland cricketer with 3 first class matches and 97 runs^[54]
• Sir Norman Gregg, NSW cricketer with 3 first class matches and 116 runs^[55]
• Hunter Hendry, Australian international with 11 tests and 335 runs^[56]
• Sammy Jones, Australian international with 12 tests and 428 runs^[57]
• Alan McGilvray, NSW cricketer with 20 first class matches and 684 runs, most notable for his cricket radio broadcasting^[58]
• William Robison, NSW cricketer with 1 first class match and 15 runs^[59]
• Fred Spofforth, Australian international with 18 tests and 94 wickets; first test cricketer to take a hat-trick
• Alan Walker, NSW and Nottingham cricketer with 94 first class matches and 221 wickets; also played for Australia in rugby union
• Sammy Woods, Australian and England international with 6 tests and 10 wickets; also played for England in rugby union^[60]

Rowing

• Mervyn Finlay, Australian Olympian (1952; 1 bronze medal)^[61]
• Joe Gould, Australian Olympian (1936)
• Frederick Septimus Kelly, British Olympian (1908; 1 gold medal)
• Vic Middleton, Australian Olympian (1952)^[61]
• Hugh Ward, Australasian Olympian (1912); soldier who was awarded the Military Cross and two Bars^[62]
• Stuart Welch, Australian dual Olympian (2000 and 2004; 1 silver medal, 1 bronze medal)^[63]

Rugby league

• Dallas Hodgins, North Sydney Bears player
• Nick Pappas (1969–1978), Chairman of South Sydney Rabbitohs^[64]

Rugby union

• Malcolm Blair, Australian international with 3 caps and 0 points
• Ernie Carr, Australian international with 6 caps and 3 points; brother of Slip Carr
• Slip Carr, Australian international with 4 caps and 9 points; Australian Olympic athlete; brother of Ernie Carr
• Tim Clark, Australian sevens international
• Cam Crawford, NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies player with 13 Super Rugby caps and 40 points
• Emile de Lissa, President, Barbarian F.C.
• David Emanuel, Australian international with 9 caps and 0 points
• Arthur Finlay, Australian international with 12 caps and 0 points
• Charlie Fox, Australian international with 17 caps and 6 points; also the Australian captain
• Charles Hammand, Australian international with 2 caps and 0 points
• Bill Hemingway, Australian international with 5 caps and 9 points
• Julian Huxley, Australian international with 9 caps and 22 points
• Wal Ives, Australian international with 5 caps and 0 points
• Doug Keller, Australian and Scotland international with 13 caps and 0 points; also Scottish captain
• Bob Loudon, Australian international with 13 caps and 12 points; Australian captain; brother of Darby Loudon
• Darby Loudon, Australian international with 4 caps and 5 points; Australian captain; brother of Bob Loudon
• Jack Maddocks Current player for the Melbourne Rebels, played for Australian Under-20s
• Hyam Marks (1886–1892), Australian international with 2 caps and 0 points; played in first ever test
• Andrew Mower, Scotland international with 13 caps and 0 points
• Walter Phipps, Australian international with 1 cap and 0 points
• Roland Raymond, Australian international with 13 caps and 30 points
• Alex Ross, Australian international with 20 caps and 43 points; also the Australian captain
• Geoff Storey, Australian international with 8 caps and 0 points
• Alan Walker, Australian international with 5 caps and 3 points; also a first class cricketer
• Alfred Walker, Australian international with 16 caps and 9 points; also the Australian captain
• Johnnie Wallace, Australia and Scotland international with 17 caps and 48 points; also the Australian captain
• Clarrie Wallach, Australian international with 5 caps and 0 points
• Colin Windon, Australian international with 20 caps and 33 points; also the Australian captain^[65]
• Sammy Woods, England international with 13 caps and 6 points; also an international for Australia and England in cricket^[60]

Swimming

• Boy Charlton, Australian Olympian (1924, 1928 and 1932; 1 gold medal, 3 silver medals, 1 bronze medal)
• Frederick Lane, Australian Olympian (1900; 2 gold medals); Australia's first Olympic swimmer^[66]

Tennis

• John Newcombe, seven-time Grand Slam winner^[67]

Other sports

• Andrew Lock, Australian mountaineer^[42]
• Rohan Chapman-Davies, Australian Olympic mogul skier
• Jim Ferrier, golfer

Arts

Performing arts

Film and theatre

• Dr Richard James Allen, writer, director and choreographer (Thursday's Fictions 2006 and numerous short films)^[68]
• Stephan Elliott, writer and director (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 1994)
• Richard Francis-Bruce, Academy Award-nominated film editor (The Shawshank Redemption 1994, Seven 1995, Air Force One 1997)
• Andrew Lesnie, Academy Award-winning cameraman ( 2002)
• John Meillon, film, television and voice actor (Crocodile Dundee, Crocodile Dundee II)^[69]
• Gregan McMahon, actor and theatrical producer^[70]
• Julian McMahon (1973–1986), actor; son of Prime Minister McMahon
• Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, film and theatre actor^[71]

Music

• Alexander Briger, conductor^[72]
• Nigel Butterley, composer
• Tim Derricourt, songwriter for indie rock group Dappled Cities and current English master at Sydney Grammar School
• Ross Edwards, composer
• Sam Fischer, singer-songwriter
• Rob Hirst, drummer for Midnight Oil^[73]
• Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor^[74]
• Antony Walker (1980–1985), conductor^{[72] [75]}

Visual arts

• Charles Bryant, visual artist^[76]
• Max Dupain, photographer^[77]
• Donald Friend, visual artist and author^[78]

Writing and poetry

• Dr Richard James Allen, poet, dancer, choreographer and director^[68]
• John Le Gay Brereton, poet and professor of English^[79]
• Michael Dransfield, poet^[80]
• Joseph Jacobs, folklorist and literary critic best known for preserving fairy-tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk and The Three Little Pigs^[81]
• Dowell Philip O'Reilly, poet and short story writer^[82]
• Banjo Paterson, poet and journalist^[83]

Science and medicine

• Dr Bryan Gaensler, Young Australian of the Year, 1999; former assistant professor of astronomy at Harvard University; current professor at the University of Sydney
• Dr Rowan Gillies, former international president of Médecins Sans Frontières^[42]
• Sir Norman McAlister Gregg, ophthalmologist who discovered the link between maternal rubella and birth defects^[84]
• Edward Rennie, chemist^[85]

See also

• List of non-government schools in New South Wales
• Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales

External links

• Sydney Grammar School website
• The Old Sydneians Union

Notes and References

1. http://info.library.unsw.edu.au/archives/about/chancellors.html The Chancellors of the University of New South Wales Exhibition
2. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110062b.htm O'Connor, Richard Edward (1851 - 1912)
3. http://parlpapers.sl.nsw.gov.au/display.cfm?parl_id=15800 Albert Bathurst Piddington (1862 - 1945)
4. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110381b.htm Rich, Sir George Edward (1863 - 1956)
5. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140508b.htm Herron, Sir Leslie James (1902 - 1973)
6. http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/history/lah.nsf/pages/kwstreet The Honourable Sir Kenneth Whistler Street, K.C.M.G., K.St.J.
7. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120136b.htm Street, Sir Philip Whistler (1863 - 1938)
8. http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4432.html Edmund Barton
9. http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/foundations/1_06.pdf Foundations
10. Book: Falstein, Sydney Max (1914–1967). Australian Dictionary of Biography. 16 July 2014.
11. http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/fastfacts.asp?pmSelectName=20 Australia's Prime Ministers - Fast Facts - McMahon
12. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120239b.htm Thorby, Harold Victor Campbell (1888 - 1973)
13. http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-defeats-tony-abbott-in-liberal-leadership-spill-to-become-prime-minister-20150914-gjmhiu.html Malcolm Turnbull defeats Tony Abbott in leadership spill
14. News: In the beginning.... Illawarra Mercury. 8 July 2004. 21 March 2011.
15. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/why-our-proud-mp-alex-greenwich-is-first-among-equals/story-e6freuy9-1226509850087 Retrieved on 26 June 2013.
16. 1270 . Sir Norman William Kater . Yes . 13 May 2019.
17. The Hon. John Clarkson Maddison (1921-1982) . 1804 . Yes . 11 May 2019.
18. Who's Who in Australia 2011 page 2106
19. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-311023702/view?partId=nla.obj-311065720#page/n39/mode/1up Samoan elections
20. mein-charles-stuart-4182 . Mein, Charles Stuart (1841–1890) . 16 July 2014.
21. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050327b.htm Morehead, Boyd Dunlop (1843 - 1905)
22. http://www.ajn.com.au/news/news.asp?pgID=3176 Tale of the tape: Malcolm Turnbull v George Newhouse
23. News: Panelists. 11 February 2010. Q&A. ABC TV. Australia. 3 September 2013.
24. Web site: Centre for Transformative Innovation . Swinburne University of Technology . Brain, Vivian James Foxton - Person - Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation . 2023-12-07 . www.eoas.info . en-gb.
25. http://www.hugsan.com/BerowraRotary/Rotary_Bulletin_Vol_30_No_15_2006.pdf Rotary Bulletin Vol 30 No 15
26. Book: Martha Rutledge . Australian Dictionary of Biography 'Fraser, James (1861–1936) . J. D. Walker . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . 1996 . 1 April 2024.
27. News: 28 July 1936 . Mr Fraser's Death . 1 April 2024 . . New South Wales, Australia . 7 . National Library of Australia . 5810.
28. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080638b.htm Garran, Sir Robert Randolph (1867 - 1957)
29. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100629b.htm Murray, Sir John Hubert Plunkett (1861 - 1940)
30. http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/~rmallett/Generals/antill.html Major General John Antill
31. http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-heroes/caldwell.htm Group Captain C R "Killer" Caldwell, 1 Fighter Wing, RAAF
32. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100059b.htm Legge, James Gordon (1863 - 1947)
33. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100190b.htm Macarthur-Onslow, James William (1867 - 1946)
34. http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/~rmallett/Generals/maclaurin.html Brigadier General Henry MacLaurin
35. https://www.oldwestminster.org.uk/design/pdfs/eliza02.pdf Westminster welcomes Dr Stephen Spurr
36. http://www.findem.com.au/resources/displayResourcesArticle.php?id=4 Hugh Mackay
37. http://www.fergco.com/~samgriffith/papers/html/volume%2012/v12app4.htm Appendix IV: Contributors
38. http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/sixtyminutes/team/team_richard_carleton.asp Richard Carleton
39. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/15/1095221647640.html?from=storyrhs Cutting to The Chaser
40. http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/G/htmlG/gyngellbruc/gyngellbruc.htm Gyngell, Bruce
41. Web site: Paul Karp The Guardian . 2023-04-25 . the Guardian . en.
42. http://www.osu.com.au/nov04.php Dr Rowan Gillies, Tim Palmer & Andrew Lock
43. Web site: Talking Heads - Siimon Reynolds . www.abc.net.au . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080926004645/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/talkingheads/txt/s2371209.htm . 2008-09-26.
44. Web site: NSW. Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards. 2003 Higher School Certificate – Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards NSW. 2020-09-25. boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au. en-AU.
45. Darbyshire, Anthony, and Duckworth, Eric (2011), Demetrius Comino: A life and legacy of achievement, Comino Foundation.
46. http://www.nla.gov.au/pub/nlanews/2003/may03/article3.html Sir David Griffin: Renaissance Man
47. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080486b.htm Fairfax, Sir James Reading (1834-1919) and Sir James Oswald (1863-1928)
48. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090366b.htm Hordern, Sir Samuel (1876 - 1956)
49. Web site: Stark . Andrew . The History of Grammar Rugby: Rolling in the Dust — The Story of Sydney Grammar School Rugby . The Friends of Grammar Rugby . 26 July 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091029075838/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/fogr/history.php . October 29, 2009 .
50. Book: Barbour, Eric Pitty (1891–1934). 16 July 2014. Australian Dictionary of Biography.
51. Web site: Edmund Barton. 8 July 2014. Cricinfo.
52. Web site: Jim Burke. 8 July 2014. Cricinfo.
53. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080131b.htm Cotter, Albert (1883 - 1917)
54. Book: Fletcher, John William (1884–1965). Australian Dictionary of Biography. 16 July 2014.
55. Book: Gregg, Sir Norman McAlister (1892–1966). Australian Dictionary of Biography. 16 July 2014.
56. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/5637.html Stork Hendry
57. Web site: Percy Jones. 25 January 2006. Cricinfo. 8 July 2014.
58. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/59656.html Alan David McGilvray, AM, MBE
59. Web site: Other deaths in 1916. December 2005. Cricinfo. 8 July 2014.
60. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/22492.html Sammy Woods
61. Web site: Grammar Foundations. June 2012. 1 July 2014. Sydney Grammar School.
62. Web site: Roar. Autumn 2012. 1 July 2014. University of Sydney.
63. http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/athletes.asp?cmd=Details&ID=95 Stuart Welch
64. http://www.abc.net.au/austory/transcripts/s336534.htm In George We Trust
65. [Max Howell (educator)|Howell, Max]
66. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090662b.htm?hilite=sydney%3Bgrammar%3Bschool Lane, Frederick Claude Vivian (1880 - 1969)
67. Newcombe, John (2004). Newk: Life on and off the court, p. 14. Momentum, Sydney. .
68. http://www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/allen-richard-james
69. Book: Giles, Nigel. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Meillon, John (1934–1989) . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Canberra.
70. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100328b.htm McMahon, Gregan (1874 - 1941)
71. http://www.pdgv.com.au/news/2003-02-03_00.html Buds Birthday Party At Wallaby Dreaming Gallery
72. Aronsten . Erica . Barr . Philip . Well conducted careers . November 2005 . Grammar Foundations . 33 . 18–19 . Sydney . Sydney Grammar School Foundation . 5 February 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130424124651/http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/GeneralInformation/publications/foundations/05-2.pdf . 24 April 2013 .
73. http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=295081 Macolm Turnbull the school bully
74. Web site: The modest maestro. 2007-10-16. Moss. Stephen. 20 August 2005. Guardian Unlimited.
75. http://www.pinchgutopera.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2002_5.pdf Newsletter No. 5; Antony Walker
76. Web site: BRYANT, CHARLES DAVID JONES (1883-1937). 16 July 2014. Dictionary of Australian Biography.
77. https://web.archive.org/web/20020613150408/http://www.mdaa.com.au/people/max-01.html Max Dupain
78. https://archive.today/20060902132332/http://www.evabreuerartdealer.com.au/cv/friend_donald_bio.html Donald Friend
79. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070411b.htm Brereton, John Le Gay (1871 - 1933)
80. http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms4741 Guide to the Papers of Michael Dransfield
81. http://www.storyteller.net/articles/136 Joseph Jacobs: Writer of Children's Literature
82. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110103b.htm O'Reilly, Dowell Philip (1865 - 1923)
83. http://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/CollegeSt/library.html A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson Library
84. Paul A. L. Lancaster, Gregg, Sir Norman McAlister (1892 - 1966), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, Melbourne University Press, 1996, pp 325-327.
85. Web site: RENNIE, EDWARD HENRY (1852-1927). Dictionary of Australian Biography. 16 July 2014.