Hurstville

Distinguished and Famous people from Hurstville

📚 Clive James

Writer and broadcaster Clive James attended Hurstville Opportunity School before further study in Sydney and at Cambridge. He became known for memoir, poetry and literary criticism as well as television, spending a decade as The Observer’s television critic. His later work included a translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy, published in 2013. Hurstville’s connection is the school that formed part of his early education. The range of his later writing extended considerably beyond the television absurdities he made such entertaining material from.

🏏 Bill O’Reilly

Bill O’Reilly moved to Hurstville in 1934 and joined St George District Cricket Club, giving the district a direct connection with one of Australia’s outstanding spin bowlers. He led St George to four successive premierships from 1939–40 and continued playing first-grade cricket until 1948–49. Internationally, his partnership with Clarrie Grimmett made life uncomfortable for opposing batsmen, with pace, accuracy and an elusive wrong’un among his weapons. After retiring from Test cricket he became a forceful and witty newspaper commentator. The Hurstville chapter combines a home with sustained club service, rather than relying on his national reputation alone.

✍️ Roland Robinson

Roland Robinson attended Hurstville Technical School, where an encouraging teacher helped awaken his interest in writing. Born in Ireland, he had come to Australia at nine and settled with his family at Carlton. He left school at fourteen and worked on country properties before becoming a poet whose writing drew strongly on Australian landscapes. His career also included ballet, book reviewing and collaboration with Aboriginal storytellers, whose contributions underpinned several published collections. Later honours included the Patrick White Award in 1988. Hurstville’s part in that varied life is a specific educational beginning: a teacher who encouraged a young writer before the books and awards.