Tinkers, Tailors, Doctors & More
In 2015, St Mary's College Old Boy, Robin Murphy, was nominated for the prestigious Order of Australia Medal for his service to the building and construction industry, and to the community. His engineering career began in PNG building bridges. In 2015, the construction industry veteran took on a similar job, the $53 million project reconstructing a bridge over the Kumusi River, near the Kokoda Track.
John Simpson graduated from St Mary's College in 1943 and topped the Queensland school results. John went on to study Medicine at Queensland University, and won the Park Davis Prize for 'Meteria Medica', the blue ribbon award for medical students. His accomplishments in the medical field were extensive, including his involvement as a leading public voice for the "Right to Life" movement.
In 1956, shortly after finishing school at St Mary's College, Joe Hanna founded Hannas Family Department Store. Joe is remembered for his tireless and determined management. He was a great businessman, full of generosity and compassion. He supported many charities and local organisations and built schools in Nepal. During the war, he arranged for $250,000 worth of clothes to be sent to refugee camps in Bosnia.
