Famous Canberrans, Ex or Otherwise

Sigrid Thornton was born ere in 1959.

Nathan Lyon

Deadmandrinking said :

Captain’s Flat is still pretty close to Canberra, all things considered, VG.

Queanbeyan is closer but we don’t claim theirs.

I any case I thought the thread was for famous Canberrans. Most of the people mentioned above aren’t ‘famous’.

From what I have seen/heard of Michael Milton the public persona greatly differs from the man himself

There are a few ex students of Lyneham High School who have made a name for themselves

Felicity Packard, TV writer and most recently wrote quite a number of the episodes for Channel 9’s Underbelly.

Garth Nix, he’s well known in the UK as a writer of sci fi novels.

Darren Beadman, jockey.

Captain’s Flat is still pretty close to Canberra, all things considered, VG.

If Richard Glover gets a mention then Lyndel Cureton surely must!

There was also Rosalie Gascoigne – one of Australia’s most famous artists. People often seemed confused that she lived in a normal suburban house in Woden nd not some trendy loft in Sydney or Melbourne. By the way, I read Brendan Shanahan’s book. It’s actually really alarmingly good. It’s called In Turkey I Am Beautiful. Here’s the website: http://www.inturkeyiambeautiful.com

I don’t know if he qualifies as famous, but I feel kinda thrilled I used to know him. Might have to do a facebook hunt.

….is from Captains Flat, Einstein

Colin Winchester.

missjill from the RA crowd. Came out of lurking with a self-portrait of her chest (and a 2CA logo, or something).

If that doesnt’ make you a famous Canberran, my names Jacky Chan.

I wasn’t sure if Mrs Halligan was “mainstream” famous enough to mention. She taught me for some years, and a very skilled teacher of rare excellence she was.

Marion Halligan AM (an acclaimed author of novels, short stories, reviews, essays and gastronomic writing).

Grew up in Newcastle, but has lived between here and France for at about 40 years, AFIK.

http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2113b.htm

JC said :

…
BTW Melissa Doyle (from Sunrise) went to uni here and met here husband here. She worked here for WIN but she’s originally from Sydney (I think)…

Actually she worked for Capital not WIN…

Just to throw another channel into the mix, didn’t she work for Prime?

la mente torbida said :

Famour Canberrans….Michael Milton…game, set, match.

I second that, though he wasn’t liked by the ferry operators on the lake when he’d sail in front of them.

Very determined kid, back then. he was at a YMCA camp I was a leader at down at long beach. refused assistance, wanted to do everything himself. no wonder he has done so well.

one of the guys at my work HQ in Sydney is another inspiring story, it just goes to show that grit and determination can overcome adversity. if you are interested, look for John Maclean at the paralympics – he is in the rowing team. (he isn’t from canberra, I am just in awe of disabled people who do everything themselves, and don’t give up.)

Famour Canberrans….Michael Milton…game, set, match.

…
BTW Melissa Doyle (from Sunrise) went to uni here and met here husband here. She worked here for WIN but she’s originally from Sydney (I think)…

Actually she worked for Capital not WIN…

astrojax said :

ant – kilbEy and they were the church! my sister did lots of their photography. heyday is one of THE classic oz albums, although i think blurred crusade is as good… forgot they were a canberra lot. (and is ‘under the milky way’, not ‘southern cross’…) ; )

yeah, that’s it. Weird to hear it so often in the US, it’s really common. Most don’t realise it’s an aussie band. Shame they faded away.

Michelle Pettigrove (nurse in A Country Practice and numerous ads), went to Kambah High School. She’s now married to Frankie J Holden.

David Callan – also Canberran – Stirling College I think – he’s been in loads of ads – lately, he’s the guy with the striped PJ’s in the Colorbond ad. Not to be confused with Dave Callan comedian, different bloke.

Milton Black (astrologer) now lives in Jerra – he spent years down the coast but has been back in Canberra area for years. At one time he lived in Isaacs.

John Winston Howard also lived in Canb … no wait, oops, he didn’t.

Mikal Simic (Black Sea Gentlemen)

Fred Smith

Felix the Cat said :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:People_from_Canberra

Call me unconnected or just bone-headed, but I only know five of the names on that list without hitting any hyperlinks. That’s Canberra in the ACT, yeah?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:People_from_Canberra

Pro mountain bike racer Jared Rando is from Canberra…

Maybe I’m biased because I went there, but does this school produce more famous creative types than any other in Canberra?

Or, does this school attract more creative types to go there in the first place? It’s a chicken and egg thing.

BTW Melissa Doyle (from Sunrise) went to uni here and met here husband here. She worked here for WIN but she’s originally from Sydney (I think). Her in-laws still live here so she visits fairly often. She and Kochie are both Brumbies supporters.

I was in year 12 at StEddies with Ricky Stuart. Total and utter cnut.

Canberra Boys Grammar has produced a plethora of famous canberrans.

And quite a number of criminals too…….

Peter Garrett studied at the ANU, but I’m not sure he actually came from here. Great frontman for a band – but a bloody useless politician.

Hey everyone – don’t forget The Doug Anthony Allstars!!! Tim Ferguson, Richard Fidler and Paul McDermott began their act busking in Civic. They moved to Melbourne, went great guns at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and then went OS. They performed all over the UK to massive sell out audiences before doing their own TV show. When they were passing through Canberra later on they did a little busking routine in Garema Place where they were promptly told to ‘move on’ by the local constabulary. I believe Tim went to Dickson College.

From this list it appears that Queanbeyan has produced more famous people than Canberra…they have George Lazenby, David Campese, Ricky Stuart, Heather McKay, Glen Lazarus, Mark Webber, Matt Giteau, Brad Haddin, Tom Murphy, John Gale, William Farrer…on and on and on.

Poor Canberra lives in Queanbeyan’s shadow.

George Gregan’s mum was one of my daughter’s midwives.

(OK, collecting scrapings from the bottom of the barrel now…)

lemaChet said :

Archie (DJ – based in Sydney) went to St Francis Xavier…

You forgot to mention another famous Canberran DJ – DJ McLachlan. He really R.I.P’s it up!

Archie (DJ – based in Sydney) went to St Francis Xavier…

Sam Michael – technical director of the Williams F1 team – Canberra born and bred and was Mark Webber’s boss for a couple of years…

James Hird – Essendon legend

Peter Garrett went to high school and Uni in Canberra didn’t he?

Mick Malloy is DEFINITELY from Canberra – Belconnen area.

Paul McDermott went to Marist (Good News Week).

As for the original question, has NARRABUNDAH COLLEGE produced more “stars”? Well, I went to Marist, then AME School and almost to NARRABUNDAH where all the other groovy AME people went. It had the “art college” buzz and supposedly gave students a lot more freedom to explore and discover…which is always a good idea…

Did the boys from the Gadflys go there too?

David Eastman…well, anybody who really thinks he shot Winchester is smoking weird shit and refuses to see Winchester was hit professionally by the Mafia for interfering in their trade. Not sure what school Winchester went to…. 🙂

Overheard said :

Roadrage77 said :

Did any of you Grammar old boys have the pleasure of going to school with one David Eastman? I’m assuming he was always a grade ‘A’ cocksmoker?

I interviewed him for a job about 20 years ago. That was interesting.

I’m not sure what brand he smoked.

P.S. Point of clarification: I’m NOT a Grammar boy…

Roadrage77 said :

Did any of you Grammar old boys have the pleasure of going to school with one David Eastman? I’m assuming he was always a grade ‘A’ cocksmoker?

I interviewed him for a job about 20 years ago. That was interesting.

I’m not sure what brand he smoked.

Did any of you Grammar old boys have the pleasure of going to school with one David Eastman? I’m assuming he was always a grade ‘A’ cocksmoker?

Gough Whitlam was born in Melbourne but grew up in Canberra. he went to Telopea Park High School and Canberra Grammar School.

THE CHURCH are a legendary 80’s/90’s band who formed in Canberra. Their 1987 song “Under the Milky Way” was a monster international hit and is featured on the Donnie Darko soundtrack. They have a plethora of other great tracks too.

Elvis Sinosic – UFC fighter. Been beat down more times that Kate Neilson.

Imogen Bailey was known as Kate Raiche (spelling?), pronounced “rake” in her Melrose days. She lived in Kambah and was always a nice down to earth person. Also in the same year at Melrose were Aaron Hamill (former St.Kilda captain, now retired) and Justin Blumfield (former Essendon/Richmond player, also retired).

Peter “I’ll never win a dance-comp” Garrett studied Arts at ANU though he probably doesn’t qualify as a bonafide ‘berran.

Peter Blakely – singer of “crying in the chapel”, a huge hit in 1990 was a Hughes Primary school product apparently. I’m really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

Continuing the Australian rules lineage…

Jesaulenko, you beauty! Best mark of all time, and in a winning grand final as well … GO BLUES!!!

…plus Aaron Hamill as well. It’s a great piece of karma that the only GF he played in was in a Carlton jumper. Fkn turncoat, haha!

Lauren Jackson is originally from Albury, but if we’re going to claim ring ins like that then you can add Mark Viduka and a bunch of other Socceroos, among other sports as well. Does Michael Klim still live at The Sanctuary?!

Big brother people are famous aren’t they?
Well.. at least for about 12 weeks they are.

> From memory Michael Balzary (pretty sure that’s Flea’s name) was born in Melbourne

My (then 9yo) son & I got to sit with his mum at a RHCP concert in Melbourne last year. The band told someone to go give balcony tickets to a kid with a parent & we were the lucky ones. Fleas mum is lovely….& yep, his name is Michael & he was born in Melbourne. His mum is VERY proud.

Basketballer Lauren Jackson is from Canberra…

I suppose there would be quite a few athletes who used to train at the AIS too…

Overheard said :

I’ll tell you who’s currently from here that you’re going to hear more about in the future if you haven’t already: Ashleigh Mannix. I knew the name but couldn’t have picked her from a line-up before last night when I saw her at someone else’s album launch, organised by the legendary Frog from Songland. (Ashleigh has her own EP, titled appropriately enough: ‘My First EP’).

Oh My God! Ashleigh does one of these freaky things where you just can’t believe that such a slight, young thing can produce such a powerful, bluesy, soulful voice. If you see she’s got a gig on, go see her.

Ashleigh Mannix has been going to be the ‘next big thing’ for the last 5 years or so. Maybe she will be the next one after the next one. Yes the girl can sing, but I saw her live and there was nothing to distinguish her from the other ‘cutesy pie’ acts around.

In my surfing days on the South Coast there was a big ‘to do’ about the Flea house at Congo. Right when the RHCP were at their Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic peak. I was told local Moruya kids would camp outside the place for a glance. From memory Michael Balzary (pretty sure that’s Flea’s name) was born in Melbourne

sepi said :

Jessica Rose and Mel (of mel and kochie) used to read the WIN news and weather.

It’s Jessica Rowe.

Brigitte from the current Big Brother used to work as a law clerk at a law firm here in Canberra…

Dean from Big Brother a few years back went to St Francis Xavier High School in Florey…

Lara Cox from Heartbreak High used to go to Daramalan College…

Sybilla Budd from the Secret Life of Us, Sea Patrol and various other tv drama shows is from Canberra too, she went to Girls Grammar, I think…

Kevin and Therese Rudd attended ANU didn’t they, and they met here as students, they even got married at St John’s in Reid… (not 100% on that though)

I’m famous.

It’s just that no-one has heard of me yet 😉

Sure they have. I could swear I’ve seen you heaps of times in my kids’ story books…

I’ll tell you who’s currently from here that you’re going to hear more about in the future if you haven’t already: Ashleigh Mannix. I knew the name but couldn’t have picked her from a line-up before last night when I saw her at someone else’s album launch, organised by the legendary Frog from Songland. (Ashleigh has her own EP, titled appropriately enough: ‘My First EP’).

Oh My God! Ashleigh does one of these freaky things where you just can’t believe that such a slight, young thing can produce such a powerful, bluesy, soulful voice. If you see she’s got a gig on, go see her.

Vic Bitterman said :

Don’t forget Flea’s dad lives in Congo!

(Near enough to Canberra 🙂

I thought it was Fleas holiday house in Congo (which incidentally appears to be up for sale and was the location for some of their film clips) and Fleas dad lives (or lived) in Canberra somewhere.

I did sound for The Idea Of North in the foyer of the High Court one day, and they actually asked me if I could turn down the reverb!

The Idea of North (the two boys are Canberrans but the two original girls have been replaced by South Australians).

The world’s best-selling romance author, Valerie Parv, lives here, too.

And there is a jazz drummer currently in his final year at Narrabundah whom I reckon has the potential to be one of the world’s best in a few years’ time.

I’m pretty sure Paul McDermott is from Canberra too, Jackie Chan and Stephen Larkham both went to Dickson College.
James Hire went to North Ainslie Primary and Played for Ainslie footy club.

And in music: Koolism + Young and Restless

ant – kilbEy and they were the church! my sister did lots of their photography. heyday is one of THE classic oz albums, although i think blurred crusade is as good… forgot they were a canberra lot. (and is ‘under the milky way’, not ‘southern cross’…) ; )

Don’t forget Flea’s dad lives in Congo!

(Near enough to Canberra 🙂

Steve Kilby was from Canberra, not sure if the rest of the band was though (can’t think of the band’s name, argh! You often hear “under the southern cross tonight” on the radio in the US, oddly enough).

Comedian James’s O’Loghlin is from Canberra.

He went to Grammar just like me, except I’m a prat.

The great metal band Alchemist have a bit of global reach.

Joe Simunic plays soccer for Croatia and Hertha Berlin – he went to school at St Monicas and Daramalan.

One of the blond haired chicks on Big Brother 2008 used to work at Civic superbarn.

Michael Bevan (enough said..)

Brad Haddin (okay, Queanbeyan)

Brett Luton (Drummed for ganga jang for a time)

Jessica Cottis (reknown london based organist and comnposer)

Adam Bishop (London based jazz muso)

Trouble in the Kitchen (Melbourne based folk band)

I would say tht except for Bevan and possibly Haddin those are a wee bit lame (drummed for Ganga Jang!!! I bet even he’s embarassed by that.) By the way, Nic Dalton’s parents used to run Dalton’s Books, but I don’t think they do anymore.

Also, I think Mick Malloy is from Canberra – anyone know?

Canberra Boys Grammar has produced a plethora of famous canberrans.

They have also produced a plethora of total prats.

Geraldine BUCKINGHAM.

Not famous yet but went to Weetangera Primary, Canberra High and Lake Gin College.

Rhodes scholar and may be the first female Prime Minister of our great country.

Keep your ears open to hear more of her in years to come.

Sorry Gee!!

I went to school with Hayley Jensen.

I am not a canberra milk kid.

kean van choc said :

@ant – Pru Goward used to lecture Communications at Ucan as well – Kate Fishcer is actually her daughter.

Yeah, I know! Kate was a few years after me at school.

I wonder if we can draw a long line and claim Jackie Chan? He went to school here for a few years, worked as a builder’s labourer and got his name here…

I always imagine how wierd Xmas dinner must be in the KAte Fishcer, Prue Goward, DAvid Barnett household!

Imogen Bailley went to Melrose.

Heaps of rugby players come from QBN – David Campese etc.

Dick Smith lives at Gundaroo.

Jessica Rose and Mel (of mel and kochie) used to read the WIN news and weather.

Jackie Chan’s parents used to run a restaurant in Dickson.

carl valeri played in the midfield for the socceroos on sunday night against china.

and perhaps one of the greatest (by feat) athletes anywhere in the world came from queanbeyan: heather mckay – she won every single game (and i may be wrong, but perhaps also even every set) of squash for about fourteen years or something outlandish. maybe someone like walter lindrum or the don might have claims to being ‘greater’.

@ant – Pru Goward used to lecture Communications at Ucan as well – Kate Fishcer is actually her daughter.

George Washingmachine

Tony Hayes x 2

Jack Finsterer

Well, Qbn produced Mark Webber, and George Lazenby! Then there’s Kate Fischer (Canberra). Pru Goward is (I think) originally from here, she certainly got famous here running the top ABC radio show. Michael Milton’s family owned the Fyshwick Ski Centre for years so he’s from here.

there’s nick dalton who went to sydney and founded Half a Cow records/store and then was part of the lemonheads.

james hird – essendon legend – was recruited out of canberra

i could go on but….

I went to school with Rhys Muldoon who is an actor of sorts and has been in a few movies and TV soaps.