Oak Flats High School Alumni
Oak Flats High School alumni are Aspiring, Achieving and Succeeding in so many areas, often at the very top of their chosen fields. It is important for our school to recognise their achievements and tell their stories to the next generation of students as it gives them a unique insight into pathways and possibilities ahead of them once they leave school. Oak Flats High School alumni are relatable role models for current students that can broaden their horizons and inspire them to study and choose career paths they might not have thought possible. They show our students what Oak Flats High School students are capable of, what is possible if you dare to dream.
We love having our alumni back at Oak Flats High School to speak with our students about their career pathways and provide practical advice about how students can move forward after finishing school. Our alumni demonstrate that public school graduates can Aspire, Achieve, and Succeed in any area.
Recently we held a Fulfilling Futures Workshop where 20 of our alumni came back to Oak Flats High School to speak to Year 10 and 11 students about their career pathways and building aspirations to be successful. It was a great way to expose the students to a variety of careers, with each former student talking about aspects they liked and challenges they faced in their particular career setting.
An exciting aspect of the Fulfilling Futures workshop was a video conference with former student, James Bezzina, who currently lives in Germany. James spoke about the opportunities he has been provided throughout his career, working in several countries on projects involving interstellar chemistry, environmental engineering, nuclear energy, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, to name a few. It was fantastic to have his former Year Adviser, Mr Trist conduct the interview, which provided an insight into James' career journey whilst encouraging our students to aspire for great things!
If you are an Oak Flats High School alumni with an inspirational story to share please get in touch with the school office.
Below are some of our notable Oak Flats High School alumni.
- Associate Professor Georgine Clarsen (class of 1967) - Historian, Univesity of Wollongong, senior lecturer, School of History and Politics in the Facuty of Arts, author.
- Dr Glenn Mitchell (class of 1968) - Historian, University of Wollongong senior lecturer in history, author, Sub Dean of the Faculty of Arts 1998-2001 UOW
- Dianne Gorman OAM nee Dowd (1966-67) - Australian hockey champion, team vice-captain 1977, captain 1979
- Eino Okkonen (class of 1970) - founder of Illawarra Wheelchair Basketball and instrumental in setting up the Roller Hawks National League team in 2001
- Andrew Maconachie (class of 1972) - Author
- Eric Klein (1969-72) - Campion archer, Four-time Paralympian 1980 to 1992, world champion and Commonwealth games gold medallist 1974
- Lee Hollis (class of 1984) - World champion skating 1981
- John Klepczarek (class of 1986) - Police Commander Superintendent Monaro District
- Karen Lord (class of 1987) - State and national Swimming champion, Olympic Games 1988 and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist 1990
- Stuart Allan Thompson (class of 1987) - Australian representatve baseball player, Olympic Games Baseball 1996
- Natalie Bassingthwaighte (1988-1991) – Australian singer/performer
- Professor Justin Yerbury AM (class of 1991) - Scientist, Eureka Prize winner 2022
- Shane Lee (class of 1991) - Australian cricketer, national team 1995-2001, Cricket World Cup Champions 1999 , NSW Cricket Team Captain 2000
- Brett Lee (class of 1994) - Australian international cricketer and fast bowler, national team 1999-2012, Cricket World Cup Champions 2003.
- Brett Andrew Stibners OAM (class of 1997) - Australian wheelchair basketball champion, four-time Paralympian and World Championship Gold Medallist 2008
- Katy Jarochowicz (class of 1999) - Professional golfer
- Joel Pratley (class of 2007) - National prize-winning professional photographer
- Jessica Rosskelly (class of 2013) - Australian Olympic Hopes Team 2013 kayaking
- Maddison Lacey (class of 2016) - Australian acrobatic gymnast 2022
- Caitlin O’Neil (class of 2017) - Australian acrobatic gymnast 2022
- Tegan Berry (class of 2020) - Rugby League NRLW St George Illawarra 2022