Our Alumni

“As Astra per Aspera”

Reach for the stars, through adversity.

Alumni Association

The Woodville High School Alumni Association exists for past students and friends in continuing their connection with their old school and its history.

Currently the Association runs approximately three events during each year including an Annual Dinner, luncheons and excursions. Newsletters are sent throughout each year to almost 500 recipients, and its financial membership ($20/year) provides the main source of income to the Association. The Association generously supports the school through annual donations and is active in supporting the schools programmes.

Our committee meeting is held at 7pm, 2nd Tuesday on the Months when held. Please email WHSOSA Secretary Di Cocks for details.

Join or Renew your membership
For existing or new members, payment of renewals, new memberships or donations can be made via cash cheque or Electronic Transfer of funds to:

Woodville High School Alumni Association
BSB: 105-039
Account Number: 173051940
Payment by EFT is easiest but don’t forget to include your name and reference either ‘renewal’, ‘new member’ or ‘donation’.

Our President

Michael has over 39 years of international national and domestic, senior executive leadership and commercial experience across diverse industry sectors and organisational structures.

His expertise spans driving innovation, enhancing business performance, governance, and operational excellence across the technology, education, health, and arts sectors. An accomplished and highly respected board chair, board director, and executive leader, Michael has successfully led large, medium, and small multi-disciplinary organisations through significant strategic change and restructures. He has managed cultural transformations while improving efficiency and productivity, and has consistently provided thought leadership and guidance to CEOs and executive teams.

Michaels Accolades:

Chair of SA Health’s Statewide Clinical Support Services,
Chair of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation,
Board Director of the ACH Group
Board Director on the South Australian Skills Commission.
Chair of Country Arts South Australia
Chair of the Taxi & Chauffeur Review Panel
Chair of the Australian Information Industry Association
Board Director of the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation
Chair of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation.
State Director at Optus SA & NT
CEO of the SA Tertiary Admissions Centre
State Director at Telstra SA & NT
National Executive General Manager for Dell Computers Australia & NZ.
Founded the inaugural Community Access Radio Programs with 5UV – which is now 5EBI – & was instrumental in facilitating starting up numerous other Ethnic Access Radio Programs.
Worked as an interpreter & translator for the Federal Govt’s Migrant Resource Centre.
State Champion in the 200M, 400M & 800M sprint events and in the Australian Athletics Squad
West Torrens SANFL League team member
State Squash Player
Established the inaugural S.A. Country Arts Foundation for the S.A. Govt
Awarded the Creative Partnerships Australia Arts Award for S.A. & N.T. in 2013, for his outstanding commitment to the arts industry in South Australia and Northern Territory.
Named in the Power List for top 50 most influential South Australians in 2013.

Michael Luchich

President of the Alumni Association

Meet some of Our Alumni

Anastasia Anastasiadis

Dr Peter Brooker

Professor Lester Irabinna Rigney

Brian Marsland

Brian has been deeply involved with the Woodville High School Old Scholars Association, serving as President from 1995 until 2020. Brian’s school years were marked by achievements such as serving as School Prefect, and he was known for being sociable, friendly, and diligent in his studies. Fond memories of his time at Woodville include appearing in the school’s production of “The Mikado” and participating in a memorable night football match against Unley High, which served as a curtain raiser to a State Match.

READ FULL BIO

During his school years, Brian excelled in maths and physics, showcasing strengths in both sports and singing. His active participation extended beyond academics, as he engaged in tennis, football, choir, and stage performances, particularly in Gilbert and Sullivan productions.

Brian’s school years were marked by achievements such as serving as School Prefect, and he was known for being sociable, friendly, and diligent in his studies. Fond memories of his time at Woodville include appearing in the school’s production of “The Mikado” and participating in a memorable night football match against Unley High, which served as a curtain raiser to a State Match. Brian’s favourite school lunch consisted of pies, pasties, and cream buns, while his most influential teachers were Gerry Phillips, Max Hocking, and Dan Riedel.

After completing his studies, Brian pursued a teaching career, training at Adelaide Teachers College and Adelaide University. He returned to his alma mater, Woodville High, as a teacher after completing his tertiary studies. Brian’s career in education flourished as he was promoted to Senior Master at Riverton High School, where he taught from 1966 to 1968, before returning to Woodville as the Senior in Physical Education in 1969. His contributions to the school were significant, particularly in expanding the physical education curriculum. In 1974, he was promoted to Deputy Principal, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.

Post-retirement, Brian dedicated himself to volunteer work, particularly in the sport of lawn bowls. He served as President of the State association and later as President of Bowls Australia from 2006 to 2010. His services to the sport were recognised with Life Membership in both the State and National Bowls Associations and an OAM in 2002. Beyond bowls, Brian has volunteered in various capacities, including cruise hosting, assisting at Meals on Wheels, and supporting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Friends and the Tour Down Under.

Brian has been deeply involved with the Woodville High School Alumni Association, serving as President from 1995 until 2020. He was married to Judy for 53 years until her passing in 2015 and is the proud father of two daughters, Anne and Bernadette, and grandfather to four grandchildren. Brian continues to enjoy travel, a passion he has pursued extensively for many years.

Frank Schirippa

During his school years, Frank excelled in maths and actively participated in extracurricular activities, particularly hockey, where his team won several premierships under the guidance of Jerry Phillips, the sports master. His school years were shaped by his love for working in the market gardens, a passion that would later define his career.Frank’s memories of Woodville High are filled with the camaraderie of a multicultural student body and the lifelong friendships he built, many of which have endured to this day…

READ FULL BIO

He still remembers the nicknames he and his classmates coined for their teachers. His favourite moments included attending the annual music productions and Saturday nights at the pictures.

After leaving school, Frank joined the family business, Schirripa and Sons Market Gardens in Fulham, where he became his own boss at the young age of 17. Over the years, he managed 60 glasshouses, growing an impressive variety of produce, including tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, gladiolas, parsnips, and citrus trees.

At 20, Frank opened a fruit shop in Fulham, which he ran for 18 years. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a mushroom farm in Tasmania, which became one of the largest in South Australia, winning several awards.

A dedicated community member, Frank joined the Rotary Club of Henley Beach in 1979 and served as President in 2000. He has been recognised for his contributions with a Paul Harris Fellow in 1997. In 2014, Frank and his wife Jan purchased the Semaphore Carousel, donating it to the Rotary Club of Henley Beach to raise funds for various causes. They also donated 200 square metres of land to the Rotary Club of Largs Bay for their wheelchair refurbishment project.

Frank, an American car enthusiast, owns a 1957 Thunderbird, a 1966 Mustang, and a 1935 Diamond T truck. In 2022, his contributions to the community and horticulture were honoured with the naming of the Food Technology + Horticulture Centre at Woodville High School in his name. He has been an active member of the Old Scholars Committee since 1992. Frank and Jan have four children, and his life has been marked by a deep love for ballroom dancing, dinner dances, and attending balls.

Peter Anderson

Peter Anderson, a distinguished alumnus of Woodville High School, has had a significant career in public service, law, and commerce. After attending Our Woodville from 1973 to 1977, he went on to complete a law degree with Honours at the University of Adelaide. His career includes senior advisory roles in both state and federal government…

READ FULL BIO

… Where he notably served as Chief of Staff to former South Australian Premier Dean Brown. Currently, he holds the position of Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission in Adelaide, further contributing his expertise in labor relations and workplace policies.

In addition to his government service, Anderson has been influential in the business sector, having led the Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian & Asia Business Council, advocating for Australian business interests both domestically and internationally. He remains actively involved with Woodville High School through the Old Scholars Association, supporting the school community and mentoring future generations. Anderson’s achievements reflect his deep commitment to public service and his impact in shaping policy and business practices in Australia.

Philip Hoffmann

Mr Philip Hoffmann, AM who graduated from Woodville High School in 1964 as Prefect. Phil is the Managing Director of Pill Hoffmann Travel. Born into a South Australian family of hairdressers in Adelaide’s western suburbs, the King of Travel studied for an Honours degree in Chemistry and started his professional career as a teacher.

READ FULL BIO

In the 1970s, young Baby Boomers were embracing the notion of cheap international travel, and Phil developed a life-long interest in this New World Order. Travelling during term break, Phil eventually started developing his own pioneering European ‘discovery tours’.

Trading the classroom for the office, Phil worked in a local travel enterprise before eventually opening the doors to Phil Hoffmann Travel at Glenelg in 1990. It was Phil’s initial foray into academia that eventually saw him becoming a Senior Lecturer for Staff Development at TAFE SA (Training and Further Development SA). This role was a catalyst for him forever pushing the boundaries and raising the standard of education and professionalism within the Australian travel and tourism industry.

With his unbiased global vision for the travel and tourism industry, Phil Hoffmann ended a four term as Chairman of the South Australian Tourism Commission on a high note in 1996. As a proud South Australian, he had created a positive link between the tourism industry and the Government.

His extensive appointment recognised his credibility within the South Australian business community and the Government of South Australia and acknowledged his commitment to excellence in the travel industry. Travelling the world as an unofficial ambassador and flying the flag for both South Australian and Australian tourism, Phil was awarded an Order of Australia in 2012 for his contribution to the Australian Travel and Tourism Industries.

Constantly embracing global trends and best practices, Phil Hoffmann Travel under his stewardship and the state of South Australia has enjoyed economic growth stimulus. Phil was presented by a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide in 2013 as well as many other notable awards between then and now.

Bruce McAvaney

Bruce William McAvaney OAM, born on June 22, 1953, in Ferryden Park, Adelaide, is a revered Australian sports broadcaster whose voice has become synonymous with the nation’s most iconic sporting moments. Affectionately known as “Mr. Olympics,” McAvaney’s career spans nearly five decades, marked by his meticulous preparation, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to sports journalism.

READ FULL BIO

McAvaney’s journey into broadcasting began in 1976 when a chance meeting with Adelaide race caller Kevin Hillier led to a role at radio station 5DN, where he started calling horse races and hosting sports shows. His transition to television occurred in 1978 with Adelaide’s ADS-7, where he read sports news and produced the weekly program “Racetrack.” His big break came during the 1980 Moscow Olympics when he hosted the Adelaide segment of the telecast, setting the stage for a distinguished television career.

In 1983, McAvaney moved to Melbourne to join Network Ten, where he covered the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, marking the beginning of his association with the Games. He co-hosted Ten’s coverage of the 1988 Seoul Olympics before returning to the Seven Network in 1989, ensuring his continued involvement in Olympic broadcasting. From the 1984 Los Angeles Games to the 2024 Paris Olympics, McAvaney has covered every Summer Olympics, with the exception of the 2012 London Games, solidifying his reputation as a stalwart of Olympic commentary.

Jan Stirling

I’ve had a privileged journey in elite sport. My love an passion in this domain started at Woodville High School where students were encouraged to experience various sporting codes. It was “hoop” that stimulated an intense connection. I morphed into coaching after playing for Australia it did require a relentless work ethic but I loved it.

READ FULL BIO

I’ve been honoured and humbled that during my time as Head Coach of the Australian Opals World Championship and Olympic medals were always achieved. These successes led me to become involved in the AFL, work with other sporting codes and later become a Director of High Performance.

My learnings in leadership and collaboration have always been based on retaining authentic care for others no matter what gender, ethnic background, social or religious status. I continue to share what I know makes a difference in various organisational settings and as we all strive to be the best we can be.

Life is simple be the best version of yourself, always.

Tim Ginever

Tim Ginever is a past scholar, former SANFL footballer, coach and currently works in the Media with 5AA. Tim Ginever was at Woodville High School from 1979-1983 as the seventh of 10 children. Tim has credited that Australian Football helped his English father and South American mother transition into Australian life.

READ FULL BIO

Tim made his SANFL debut as a 17-year-old rover in 1983. He was arguably one of the most important SANFL footballers of the 1980s and 1990s, which he perceives is as much attributable to mental capabilities as to physical capabilities. He was tough, intense, courageous and dynamic; he was the heartbeat of a Port Adelaide side that won no fewer than seven SANFL premierships between 1988 and 1996.

For the flags of 1994-1995-1996 Ginever led from the front as captain, and the longer his 314-game league career went on, the better he played. In 1994 he was appointed captain of Port Adelaide, and captained his club from 1994 to 1997, after which he retired.

Since playing AFL, he has been a coach, he has been a big part of the reunification of the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club and he is now working for Adelaide radio station 5AA and Nova.

Dr Hannah Brown

Hannah is an Adelaide born and educated, internationally trained, executive leader in the research, development and innovation sector. She is the Executive Director of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research organization based in the Department of Primary Industries and Regions in South Australian Government. She previously led Strategy, Innovation and Operations at the Victorian Heart Institute (VHI), in Melbourne, Australia.

READ FULL BIO

Having trained and worked as an academic, she now enjoys the challenge of sitting at interface between science and the rest of society, helping to turn ideas into impact through relationships, partnership and deals with industry, end-users, and key stakeholders.

A key part of her role is to remove and break down barriers which would otherwise prevent turning new knowledge into action. She believes in the power of storytelling, and that creating clear and consistent narrative, engaging broadly with consumers, and embracing authenticity, integrity and humour are the keys to effective communication, and relationship building. Over a number of years, Hannah has consulted on a range of projects in the communications, research/business strategy and diversity, equity and inclusion fields and is currently a Board Director for Women in STEMM Australia.

Dr Sam Shahin

Dr. Sam Shahin is an old scholar of Woodville High School. He is also an Australian businessman and medical doctor, best known for his significant contributions to the retail and automotive industries through the Peregrine Corporation, one of Australia’s largest private companies.

READ FULL BIO

Originally from Lebanon, Dr. Shahin emigrated to Australia with his family in the 1980s. He studied medicine and completed his medical training, but he eventually joined his family’s expanding business operations. Over the years, the family’s business interests have diversified, notably through the OTR (On The Run) chain of convenience stores, which has become a prominent brand in South Australia and beyond. Under Dr. Shahin’s leadership, Peregrine Corporation has grown to be an influential player in fuel and convenience retailing.

In addition to his business pursuits, Dr. Shahin is passionate about motorsport and played a significant role in the development of The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend, South Australia, one of the largest motorsport complexes in the Southern Hemisphere. His vision for the park has positioned it as a world-class destination for motorsport enthusiasts and brought considerable tourism to the region.

Dr. Shahin is also recognised for his philanthropic efforts, contributing to various charities and initiatives, particularly in the areas of health, education, and community development, reflecting his dedication to giving back to the community that supported his family’s success. Dr. Sam Shahin sponsors our Year 12 Dux Award and has done so for many years.

Adelaide Miethke

‘Addie’ was born on 8 June 1881 at Manoora, South Australia. One of 8 girls, she grew up in country SA before her family moved to Adelaide where she attended Woodville Public School.

READ FULL BIO

She became a pupil-teacher in 1899 and in 1903/4 attended the University Training College. Her first teaching appointment was to Le Fevre Peninsula School. In 1915 she began teaching at Woodville High School and also studied part time to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1916 she became the first female vice-president of the South Australian Public School Teachers’ Union.

Adelaide was appointed as an inspector of schools in 1924. She was tasked with inspecting high schools and organising and overseeing the domestic and secretarial training in 4 schools which later became the girls’ junior technical schools.

In 1941 she retired but continued to serve within the community in many capacities including with the Girl Guides Assoc., National Council of Women, Women’ War Service Council, Schools Patriotic Fund of SA and the state branch of the (Royal) Flying Doctor Service.

Her involvement lead her to establish a branch of the Flying Doctor Service that was to become the world’s first School of the Air which began operating from Alice Springs in 1950.

In 1942 she was founding president of the Woodville District Child Welfare Association which established four pre-schools one being our own, Adelaide Miethke Kindergarten which opened 1953.

After a short illness Addie died at her Woodville home in which she’d lived for 70 years. She was buried at the Cheltenham Cemetery.

Dr Peter Brooker

Dr Peter Brooker attended Woodville High School from 1957 to 1961 and was Head Prefect of the school and Captain of the First XI cricket team in 1961. After school, Peter studied science at the University of Adelaide and finished with a PhD in Mathematical Physics studying under Professor HS Green who had himself worked with Albert Einstein, Erwin Schrodinger and Max Born, all three Nobel Prize winners.

READ FULL BIO

Peter was a career academic with appointments at the Universities of Cape Town, Utah and Adelaide. He published over 70 peer reviewed research papers and was a consultant to major companies in Australia where he was acknowledged as a pioneer in resource modelling. He was made a Fellow of the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand in 2002.

In 1995, Peter was awarded the highest university teaching award, The Stephen Cole The Elder Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Peter is a patron of STEM at the school and donates a STEM award to the student who achieves the highest grades in Mathematics and Science subjects in Year 12, in order to encourage the recipient to pursue a career in STEM. He will present the award.

Professor Lester Irabinna Rigney

Professor Lester-Irabina Rigney PhD, AM, is an Old Scholar (attending 1978-1981) year of our Woodville and sponsor’s an award each year for our graduation ceremony. Our Irabinna Centre, our Aboriginal Cultural Centre, is named in his honour. Professor Rigney is a descendent of the Narungga Nation, Yorke Peninsula SA.

READ FULL BIO

Irabinna is an esteemed Professor of Education and Co-Chair of the Pedagogies for Justice Research group in the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion, based in the Education Futures, Academic Unit at the University of South Australia.

Irabinna has a long and distinguished record of researching with public schools for systemic, policy and pedagogical reform toward equality, social justice and democratic inclusion. As a researcher of school leadership and epistemology he is best known for theory of Australian Culturally Responsive Pedagogies and Indigenous Epistemologies. He was inducted as Fellow of Australian Academy of Humanities in 2023.

Irabinna is a Distinguished Fellow at Deakin University and previous Distinguished Fellow at Kings College, London. In 2021 Professor Rigney was appointed member in the General Division (AM) for significant service to Indigenous Education and to social inclusion research. He is a member of the Centro Loris Malaguzzi Scientific Committee, for the Foundation Reggio Emilia Children. One of Australia’s most respected Aboriginal educationalists, he is well published and has led several research teams funded by the Australian Research Council and other competitive grants including: Indigenist Research Epistemologies; Addressing the Gap between Policy and Implementation: Strategies for Improving Educational Outcomes of Indigenous Students; and Towards an Australian culturally responsive pedagogy.

Many teachers have been inspired by Rigney’s writings that promotes the idea that culturally responsive schooling is built from the experiences and abilities students bring to class. Professor Rigney has worked across the Pacific on Indigenous Education from New Zealand, Taiwan, Canada.

Our Future. Our Place. Our Woodville.

Our Alumni Message Board

Stay up to date with all the latest info from the Old Scholars Association.

AGM 18 March 2025

We are seeking three new nominations for the Association committee. This is because at least three long-standing members will be unable to continue due to overseas and interstate transfers, and ill health. This includes me, your President. From April 2025 I will be relocating back to the eastern States and unable to continue my work for the Association after a period of seven years on the committee and the last six as President.

Back in 2018 our Immediate Past President Brian Marsland made an urgent call for a renewed committee, warning that the Association may need to be put in recess and informally organise an Annual Dinner only if not refreshed. We come to that point again. Given our very positive year of activities in 2024 and strong partnership with the school, that is an outcome we must do our very best to avoid. Direct your interest to myself or Secretary Di Cocks.

Vale, Kevin Howard

It is with great sadness I report that loyal Association member and long-serving auditor Kevin Howard passed away on 24 December 2024, after a battle with cancer. Many of us treasured Kevin’s company at dinners and functions with his wit, smile and friendly banter. I was honoured to represent the Association at Kevin’s memorial service at Victor Harbor on 20 January 2025 along with Vice President Frank Schirripa and Treasurer Marco Monti. Kevin was part of the renewal of the Association in the early 1990’s. He voluntarily gave of his financial acumen as our auditor for the last thirty years. We already miss him.

Get well, Lois

Our longest serving member and much-loved committee stalwart Lois Daviess, a former scholar of the 1940’s and now well into her nineties, recently had a fall and is convalescing locally. We have lifted her spirits with visits and wish Lois a full recovery.

School Activities

We ended 2024 with great support for and from the school and its graduating students. With the 2025 year already in full swing, the school extends an invitation to all to the opening of its Cyber Security Resource Centre by State Minister Blair Boyer at 9.15am Monday 10 February 2025. I look forward to seeing you there.