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.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton 1976.
Rugby Union player, who captained the Australian Under -17 and -21 teams.
Played club rugby for Warringah.
Played five tests for Australia.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xaviers College Hamilton 1998.
Represented Australia at the 1996 Paralympics in the 100m and 200m Wheelchair Springs, also receiving the award for Young Paralympian of the Year.
Won Bronze in the 10km Peachtree Road Race.
Competed in the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2022 Paralympic Games, earning two Silver Medals and a Bronze.
Won three Bronze Medals at the 2011 National Titles.
Won two Gold Medals at the 1998 IPC Athletics World Championships.
Won a Bronze Medal in the 1999 Peachtree Race and places 5th in the 2003 Boston and Berlin Marathons.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton.
Arguably Australia’s most successful surfer, winning the World Championship from 1979 to 1982.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton.
Competitive surfer who represented Australia in 1990 and won the World Longboard Championship in 1991.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton
Represented Australia in swimming at the 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games and at the 1998 IPC Swimming World Championships.
Served as President of the Short Statured People of Australia (SSPA).
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton 1990.
Professional Rugby League player, playing for the Newcastle Knights, Melbourne Storm, NSW Origin side and the Australian National team throughout career.
Part of the Melbourne Storm Grand Final-winning team in 1999.
Named Melbourne Storme’s player of the year in 2000 and 2002.
Won a special edition of The Weakest Link gameshow, winning $46,300 for the Cancer Council of Victoria.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier's College Hamilton
As a sprinter, successfully represented Australia at international competition, including Silver Medals at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and 1995 World Championships - both in the 4 x 100m relay.
Additionally competed in the 1996 Olympics.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton
Selected to represent Australia at the 1956 Olympics in swimming, placing 5th in the 100m Backstroke. Won a Silver Medal in the 110 yard backstroke at the Empire Games in 1958.
Ordained a priest in 1969.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton
Played in seven tests for Australia in rugby league from 1948-1951, scoring five tries and fourteen goals totalling forty-three points.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton and St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill.
Considered by many to be one of greatest fullbacks ever to play rugby for Australia.
Debuted for Australia in 1957, aged 18.
Played 11 tests for Australia, including tours of Britain and New Zealand.
In 1958, at the age of 20, retired from rugby and joined the Marist Brothers, which included impactful teaching posts at Marist Ashgrove and St Joey’s.
Later left the Brothers to pursue a career in law.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton.
Nicknamed “the footballing priest”, Fr Cootes became the first Roman Catholic priest selected to play rugby league for Australia, playing for the Kangaroos in 1969-1970.
Named NSW Country Rugby League Player of the Year in 1969.
After leaving Ordained Life, he began a chain of furniture stores and commenced a successful career in media as a sports commentator.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.
St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton.
Chosen to represent Australia in Archery at the World Championships in 1986.
Source: Marist College Canberra 1998: Celebrating 125 Years of Sporting Achievement Australia 1872-1997.