Past Students

George Damion MELLICK

George was a Mareeba High Senior and Prefect in 1985. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) at the University of Queensland in 1990. As an undergraduate, George attended St John’s College within the University, holding the office of Student President in 1989. In 1996 George was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in the field of Medicine).

George currently holds an appointment as Research Fellow in the University of Queensland, School of Medicine. His job involves both research and teaching. Today George’s main research area is Parkinson’s Disease. His work explores the causes of this disease and investigates new treatment strategies. George also has a specific interest in education. He obtained a Graduate Certificate in Education (Tertiary Teaching) in 2000 and currently teaches second year medical students and supervises five PhD students.

George is very proud to be a Mareeba boy and an ex-student of Mareeba State High School. “Mareeba was a great place to grow up. Education is all about experiences. Thinking back, probably the most valuable aspect of my schooling was the camaraderie between students from a very diverse mix of cultural backgrounds and stations in life. We all learned together and were well supported by many dedicated staff members. No-one could ask for better life training than this, and it’s certainly held me in good stead through my life.”

George lives in Auchenflower, Brisbane with his wife, Elizabeth and son George Peter who was born in 2002. He tries to get back to Mareeba as often as possible to visit his family and friends

Alfio BORZI

Attended Mareeba State High School in 1981-1985 (School Captain 1985).Studied Law in Brisbane. Graduated with an LLB from QUT in 1991 and a Grad. Dip. in Legal Practice in 1992. Admitted as a Solicitor of Supreme Court of Queensland in 1992.
Upon admission I returned to Cairns where I practised for 3 years before moving to Sydney. Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1996. I practised in Sydney for a further 3.5 years before realising that "you could take the boy out of the country but not the country out of the boy" as they say.
Returned to Cairns for family and lifestyle reasons and joined the partnership of Gayler Cleland Towne in 2000.
I have practised predominantly in the area of litigation throughout my career.
Member of Cairns Sunrise Rotary Club. Served on the Board for the last three years (the last two as Treasurer) .
Member of the Executive Management Committee for the annual Feast of the Three Saints held in Silkwood.
Member of the Cairns Branch of the SES.

Louise Burns

The whole Mareeba community can be proud of the achievements of Mareeba SHS 2003 School Captain Louise Burns. Not only did she achieve an OP1, she was a recipient of the Mareeba Shire Council’s 'Young Citizen of the Year' Australia Day Award and was awarded a TJ Ryan Memorial Medal, winning a $10, 000 bursary. Only ten winners are announced each year.

Sherridan EMERY

My senior years at Mareeba High seem like they were just a few years ago even though it has been a full 16 years since I completed grade 12.

After graduating I moved to Brisbane to study a Batchelor of Business Management (Marketing major) at Queensland University of Technology. It took a few years to find my place in the dynamic world of marketing and it was in the Public Relations field that I found my fit.

Now I operate a small communications consultancy that specialises in developing public relations solutions for the tourism, travel and events industries. My small team of talented staff are fortunate to work with a range of diverse clients including Queensland Events Corporation, Brisbane Marketing and Daikyo Hotels, Resorts and Cruises to name a few.

It’s been an interesting journey from the rural lifestyle of Mareeba to the city pace of Brisbane. I am really glad to have grown up in a small town. It gave me a real appreciation for community life and the importance of good friends and these are values that I will keep with me for life.

Karen BURNESS

In 1996 I was Student Council President and I received awards for Student of the Year and Ampol Best All Rounder. I went to University in Townsville where I did a Bachelor of Nursing Science and since then have studied further to get my certificates in Intensive Care and Coronary Care. I worked at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane while I was doing these external studies. Currently I am working at Cairns Private Hospital in the Cardiac Services Unit which I love.

I fundraised for the RSL in 2003 as part of the RSL Girl in a Million Quest and I won the titles of Charity Queen, raising over $35 000 for our Queensland war veterans, I also won the district RSL Girl in a Million title. I was married in Cairns on the 17th of April to Benn Hall who works in theatre at the Cairns Base Hospital.

I am now heading over to Europe for a six week holiday before starting work in Edinburgh (Scotland) in their major hospital's Intensive Care Unit to gain further experience.

Sarah Catherine FOX (nee SHANKS)

I attended Mareeba State High School from 1983 to 1987. I have good memories from my high school days, due to friendships I made in both the academic and sporting arenas. In years 8 and 9 I was an average student, however, in year ten, I became interested in cross country and middle distance running which resulted in my competing at state level in both events in my senior years.
With this sporting success I gained increased confidence and motivation to achieve well academically. I won the Maths 1 and Health and Physical Education prizes in year eleven, and a general merit in year twelve. Additionally, in year twelve, I was a prefect and Vice Captain for the McKinlay sports house.
Upon leaving high school I gained entry to a BSc at James Cook University, where I majored in Chemistry and Marine Biology. In 1989, I joined the Royal Australian Navy through the undergraduate scheme and, following my degree studies and six months of basic training, started work as an Instructor Officer. After serving 10 years and with the rank of Lieutenant, I left the RAN.
In 2002 I gained entry to a postgraduate MSc in Genetic Counselling that I undertook part-time. I completed the course requirements this month and am therefore now qualified as a Genetic Counsellor. With the scientific breakthroughs associated with the Human Genome Project and DNA technology, this century is beginning to be called the Biotechnology era, which I am hoping to be well placed to be a part of. I am married and expecting my fourth child in September.

Hayley NIGHTINGALE

It does not feel that long ago since I graduated from Mareeba State High School at the end of 1999 - not to mention how quickly the last four years have flown by while I have been at University.

At the end of 2003 I completed my Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Degree, which now allows me to fulfill my dream of working with people with disabilities and improving their quality of life. This is something that I find very rewarding as I know that I am making a difference to their lives.

At the end of 2003 I was also awarded the Accredited Occupational Therapist Award (AccOT Prize) provided by OT Australia, which is awarded to one final year occupational therapy student from each university, who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to continuing professional development activities above and beyond the requirements of the course. This award entitles me to the fees being paid for my first term of the Accredited Occupational Therapist Program provided by OT Australia.

I am still currently in the process of finding full-time employment as an Occupational Therapist. However, I am enjoying the much appreciated time off after graduation.

Melissa and Danielle MIETHKE

Melissa and Danielle Miethke graduated from Mareeba High in 1999. They have both spent the past 4 years in Brisbane studying radiography at Qld University of Technology. Having graduated they have taken up positions - Melissa is working at the Cairns Base Hospital and Danielle is working at Townsville General Hospital. They both hope to work overseas following their graduate year as there are many radiography jobs and opportunities abroad.