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The list that follows is not exclusive, and certainly not exhaustive. Like any such list, it is based on the information that is most accessible, and there are many omissions. A number of ex-students have achieved academic distinction. Dr Paul Redner, who came to Princes Hill from Poland in the late 1940s, is a political scientist at Monash University. Graham Pascoe, a student between 1940 and 1947, lectures in marketing at Bathurst Institute of Technology. Dr June Rogers, an earlier contemporary, heads the Institute of Early Childhood Development. L. Landau is Professor of Child Health at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth. Professor John Mann, at Princes Hill Primary School in the early 1960s, is at Cornell Medical Centre, New York, which is at the forefront of world research in psychopharmacology. Dr Mark Medownick, his contemporary, is at Epworth Hospital. Arnold Zable was one of the first form 6 graduates at Princes Hill High School. After lecturing in politics at the University of the Melbourne he has turned his talents to writing. Two other writers, Amirah Inglis and Lily Brett, both passed through Princes Hill - Amirah in the early 1930s and Lily in the late 1950s. Sam Lipski, celebrated journalist, political commentator and editor of the Jewish News, and Dr Clifford Pannam, celebrated Queen’s Counsel and racing identity, both attended Princes Hill Central in the early 1940s; Sam came from Lee Street and Clifford from Errol Street. One of the contemporaries was Jack Faigenbaum, another Queen’s Counsel. All three continued on to University High School. Another journalist was Alan Dower, who attended school in the early 1920s. He attracted attention as a war correspondent and writer. Annette Klooger was only one of a number of Princes Hill students who found fame in the world of entertainment. She was one of the first singers to appear on television. Russell Hitchcock, one of the first generation of the high school’s students, has won international renown as the lead singer of the rock and roll band Air Supply. Wendy Saddington (26 September 1949–21 June 2013) was an Australian blues, soul and jazz singer, and was in the bands Chain, Copperwine and the Wendy Saddington Band. She also wrote for teen pop newspaper Go-Set from September 1969 to September 1970. Don Battie, at Princes Hill School in the 1940s, and Bill Murdoch, another of the first-generation high-school students and subsequently a teacher at the high school, are directing and producing in theatre and television. Ben Lewin is a celebrated scriptwriter. John Bluthal, who was one of the refugee children referred to by Head Teacher Bryant in 1940, has won international recognition as a stage and cinema actor. He has worked with Sir Peter Hall at the National Theatre, played Fagan in a London production of Oliver, recorded Goon Shows with Spike Milligan, and played comic roles in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Return of the Pink Panther and Superman III. Steve Bastoni is a well known actor. He is best known for his role as Constable Yannis 'Angel' Angelopoulos in Police Rescue and as Steve Parker in Neighbours. Kelvin Coe, who came to Princes Hill in the late 1950s, was a celebrated principal with the Australian Ballet Company. Roy Sparkes, a student in the late 1930s, was a well-known Melbourne musician. Joseph Brown, who arrived at Princes Hill School in 1933, was one of many students to receive encouragement and help from Head Teacher Mylrea during the 1930s depression. Today, he is one of the foremost private collectors and dealers of Australian art. One student who has won renown as an artist was Quentin Sutton, a prominent mural painter. Ivor Evans, dux of the school in 1901, co-designed the Australian flag. A number of Princes Hill students have entered politics and the public service.27 David White, MLC for Doutta Galla since 1976, has been Minister for Health in the Cain Labor Government since 1985. David Smith, AO, CVO, CStJ, Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia and who read the proclamation on the steps of Parliament House dismissing the Whitlam government in 1975, was a student at Princes Hill in the early 1940s. Frank Hardy, another ‘old boy’ and a long-time friend of the school, was a Councillor with the Melbourne City Council. Alec Cook, son of Councillor Cook and a student in the 1920s, was Secretary of the Harbour Trust. A. R. McKenzie, a student in the early 1900s, became President of the Harbour Trust. Whitehead was Chief of Melbourne Fire Brigade. Mr Jessop, his contemporary, was Director of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. W. Rowe, a student in the 1930s, was Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary of the Health Department. Dr Lachlan Strahan joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1993 after completing a PhD in history at Monash University and has served as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi. One female student of the late 1960s, who must remain anonymous was an agent with Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation. In the world of business, the Smorgons have built a large empire encompassing meat, paper, steel and electronics.28 Victor Smorgon, the doyen of the family, only attended Princes Hill for a few months, while Simon Smorgon stayed longer. John Polglaze, a student and a founding member of the Princes Hill High School Advisory Council, was a senior executive with Australian Paper Mills. Walkley Award winning photographer Les O'Rourke attended Princes Hill and recorded the images of the aftermath of the 1970 fire which destroyed the 1889 building.
In the eyes of many Melburnians, the most famous sons of Princes Hill have been the champion footballers who have donned the Carlton navy blue: Jack Hale, Alan and Fred Jinx, W. Dunn, Paul Smith, Alan Crawford, Les Vaughan, Vince Cattogio, Paul Meldrum, Spiro Kourkoumilos and , Andrew Cavedon and Ang 'WOOF' Christou. Footballers who were students at Princes Hill but who did not play for Carlton have included Noel Alford, John Dugdale and Arnold Briedis, who played for North Melbourne. In 1950, Alford was awarded the Morrish Medal as best and fairest player in the VFL Under-19s. John Dugdale, one of North Melbourne’s most famous sons, holds the club record for matches, was captain of the team and a member of the elite All Australians team of 1958.29 Brandon Ellis who completed his studies in 2011 is a regular player at the Richmond Football Club. Robert Miller, who captained the 1960 Victorian Interstate Football Team, was approached by Collingwood. Carlton cricketers have included George Parsons, Les Blasford, Frank Warne, Dickie Collins and Fred Freer, who also represented Australia in 1946. In l935, Jack McGregor and Tom Jackson were selected to play in the State cricket team against Queensland. Attila Abonyi, was a member of the Australian national association football team for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Ian Watson and older brother Ray played basketball for Australia at the Olympic Games.
As a young school, Princes Hill High School has many students who are only now gaining wider recognition. Sandy Constantine heads a growing and highly successful investment, insurance and accounting company. Michael Pannia manages the commercial interests of Olivetti. Philip Andrianakis is making films, and George Apostolidis won acclaim as the Professional Photographer of the Year in 1983. My brother, George, has restored numerous historical buildings in Victoria, including Ripponlea in Elsternwick, Clarendon Terrace in East Melbourne, St Mary’s Church in St Kilda, St Kilian’s in Bendigo, and the Catholic Historical Museum. Andrew Panna and Manny Garantziotis are highly regarded QCs at the Victorian Bar.