Hall of Fame

Bronwen Know—Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Water Polo

Bronwen made her Australian debut in 2005 and has since earned more than 390 caps for the Women’s Water Polo team, the Stingers. A Griffith University graduate with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is Australia’s only female water polo athlete to compete at four Olympic Games, representing the nation in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020, and winning bronze medals in 2008 and 2012. Her contributions extend well beyond the pool. Bronwen is a member of the National Sports Tribunal and previously served as National Integrity Manager for the national sporting organisations of Taekwondo, Judo, and Boxing. In 2024, she was appointed Deputy Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympic Games and has recently joined the Australian Olympic Committee’s legal team.

Liesel Jones—Bachelor of Psychological Science

Swimming

Leisel is one of Australia’s most decorated swimmers and a true icon of the sport. She made her Olympic debut at just 15 during the Sydney 2000 Games and went on to compete at four consecutive Olympics, winning nine medals in total, including three gold. Renowned for her dominance in the breaststroke, Leisel set multiple world records and claimed numerous World Championship titles throughout her career. Beyond her achievements in the pool, Leisel has become a respected author, media personality and mental health advocate, using her platform to inspire and support others. She graduated from Griffith with a Bachelor of Psychological Science in 2023.

Matt McShane—Bachelor of Education

Wheelchair basketball

Matt is a distinguished wheelchair basketball athlete who represented Australia for eleven years, from 2010 to 2021. He competed at two Paralympic Games — Rio and Tokyo — and helped secure a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships. Domestically, Matt has won multiple national titles with the Queensland Spinning Bullets and has also served as team captain. Beyond his achievements on the court, Matt is a strong advocate for disability sport. He now works as an Industrial Design Project Coordinator with Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures program, where he focuses on developing innovative solutions to improve quality of life for people with disabilities. Matt graduated from Griffith with a Bachelor of Industrial Design in 2020.

Katie Kelly—Bachelor of Leisure Management

Paratriathlon

Katie graduated from Griffith with a Bachelor of Leisure Management in 1993. She represented Australia from 2015 to 2020, competing at two Paralympic Games — in 2016 and 2020 — and three World Championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Katie won gold in her Paralympic debut in Rio, securing Australia’s first-ever paratriathlon gold medal at the Paralympics. She also medalled at all three of her World Championship appearances, claiming two gold and a bronze. Beyond competition, Katie is a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion Advocate and the Founder and Director of the Sport Access Foundation. She also serves on the Engagement Council for Griffith’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability initiative.

Michael Shelley—Bachelor of Business

Marathon

Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Business in 2011. He made his Australian debut in 2002 at the World Junior Championships in the 3000m steeplechase, before stepping into the senior ranks in 2007 over the same distance. He later transitioned to the marathon, going on to compete — and podium — at three Commonwealth Games. Michael won silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, his debut Games and only his second international marathon. He then claimed gold in Glasgow in 2014 and again on home soil at the Gold Coast in 2018.

Shannon Parry—Bachelor of Secondary Education

Rugby

Shannon graduated from Griffith in 2010 with a Bachelor of Secondary Education. She represented Australia in 24 tests and competed at four Rugby World Cups in 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2021. She became an Olympic gold medallist following the Australian women’s 7s team’s outstanding performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Shannon went on to win silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and also competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. After a 13‑year international career, Shannon announced her retirement earlier this year. She now serves as coach of the National Emerging 7s team.

Deborah Acason—Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Arts

Weightlifting

Deborah graduated with Bachelor of Law/ Bachelor of Arts in 2010. She competed for Australia from 2002 to 2018, including competing in two Olympics in 2004 and 2008, and an incredible 5 Commonwealth Games 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.  She won one Gold, three Silver and on Bronze Commonwealth Games medals over this time and was the first women inducted into the Australian Weightlifting Hall of Fame

Professor Kristine Toohey—Professor Emeritus Sport Management

Kristine was a professor of sport management at Griffith from 2005 -2018 and is a current  Professor Emeritus. She was awarded an AM for her significant services to sport as an academic and researchers.  During her time at Griffith she gained significant research grants for project topics including women’s sport, talent ID, mega event legacies, high performance, community sport and Olympics and Paralympics sports politics.

Michael Anderson—Bachelor of Business

Paralympic swimming

Michael graduated with Bachelor of Business in 2017. Michael made his Australian debut in 2005 and went on to compete at three Paralympics in 2008, 2012 and 2016. He won a Silver medal in the 100m backstroke at the 2008 Games and added to this in 2012 with a Gold in the 100m freestyle relay and a Bronze in the medley relay.

Michael Bohl—High performance swimming coach

Swimming

Michael has been the Head Coach of the Griffith Swim Club for five years and is recognsied as one of Australia’s most successful swimming coaches of all time. He has coached Australian swimming athletes to podium finishes at the last four Olympics. His list of successful swimmers is long and includes Stephanie Rice, Maddie Groves, Grant Irvine, David McKeon and our most successful Olympian, and Griffith alumnus, Emma McKeon. Michael was named by FINA last year as the international coach of the year for a female swimmer.

Angie Lambert—Bachelor of Secondary Education

Hockey

Angie Lambert OAM graduated with Bachelor of Secondary Education in 2007. Angie competed for the Hockeyroos from 2000 – 2008 with 229 international caps, including two World Cups and four Champions Trophy’s.  She competed in three Olympics, 2000, 2004 and 2008 - winning Gold in the 2000 Hockeyroos team. She also competed in two Commonwealth Games winning Bronze 2002 and Gold in 2006.

Duncan Free—Bachelor of Health Science

Rowing

Duncan Free OAM graduated with Bachelor of Health Science in 1996. He competed for Australia in both sculls and sweep rowing from 1994 to 2012, competing in 11 World Championships.  He represented Australia in four Olympic Games from 1996 to 2008, winning Bronze in 1996 and Gold in 2008. Duncan narrowly missed his fifth Olympics due to injury from a bike accident.

Lynsey Clarke—Bachelor of Business

Lawn Bowls

Lynsey Clarke graduated with Bachelor of Business in 2006. Lynsey debuted for Australia in 2003 and is still competing, playing more than 381 games for Australia. She has competed in four World Championships and three Commonwealth Games winning a Gold in 2006 and Silver in 2014.

Marty Mayberry—Bachelor of Health Science

Alpine Skiing

Marty Mayberry graduated with Bachelor of Health Science in 2009. He competed for Australia from 2005 to 2010, including the world skiing Championships in 2009, and two Winter Paralympics, 2006 and his career highlight, winning Silver in the 2010 Paralympics.

Naomi McCarthy—Bachelor of Science

Water Polo

Naomi McCarthy OAM graduated with Bachelor of Science (Environemnt) in 1995. She competed for Australia from 1994 to 2004 with 241 international caps.  Naomi competed four World Championships and four World Cups, with her career highlights competing in two Olympics winning Gold in 2000 and captaining Australia in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Robert Newbery—Bachelor of Science

Diving

Robert Newber graduated with Bachelor of Science in 2003. He represented Australia from 1998 to 2008, competing in four World Championships and two Olympic Games, winning one Olympic bronze in 2000 and two bronzes at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also competed in three Commonwealth Games winning a total of one Gold, two Silver and three Bronze Commonwealth Games medals.

Sara Carrigan—Bachelor of Business

Road Cycling

Sara Carrigan OAM graduated with Bachelor of Business in 2010. She competed for Australia from 1997 to 2008, including competing in two Olympics in 2004 and 2008, winning Gold in 2004 in the Road Race. Sara also competed in two Commonwealth Games in 2002 and 2006, winning a bronze medal in 2006.