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The Sunshine Coast

Queensland

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The Sunshine Coast Who's Who

Distinguished and Famous people from The Sunshine Coast

1. Pat Rafter

Patrick Rafter is a retired professional tennis player. He was born on December 28, 1972, in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. While he was not born on the Sunshine Coast, Rafter later moved to the region where he honed his tennis skills. Rafter achieved prominence in the late 1990s, winning back-to-back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998. He also reached the Wimbledon finals in 2000 and 2001, earning him a reputation as one of Australia's most successful tennis players.

2. Grant Kenny

Grant Kenny is a former ironman surf lifesaver, ironman triathlete, and surf sports coach. He was born on June 14, 1963, in Nambour, Queensland, which is part of the Sunshine Coast region. Kenny dominated the sport of ironman in the 1980s, winning multiple national and world championships. He also represented Australia in surf lifesaving competitions and later transitioned to become a successful businessman.

3. Pat O'Connell

Patrick O'Connell, known as Pat O'Connell, is an Australian former professional surfer. He was born on November 20, 1970, in Caloundra, Queensland, which is located within the Sunshine Coast. O'Connell made his mark in the surfing world during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He competed on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour, consistently ranking among the top surfers in the world.

4. Lisa Curry

Lisa Curry is a former competitive swimmer who has represented Australia in numerous international events. She was born on May 15, 1962, in Brisbane, Queensland, but has strong ties to the Sunshine Coast. Curry won multiple Olympic medals throughout her career, including two gold medals in Moscow 1980. She also held several world records in swimming and later became a television personality and motivational speaker.

5. Mal Meninga

Mal Meninga is a former professional rugby league footballer and current coach. He was born on July 8, 1960, in Bundaberg, Queensland, but moved to the Sunshine Coast later in life. Meninga had a successful career playing for the Canberra Raiders, Queensland Maroons, and Australian Kangaroos. After retiring as a player, he became a highly regarded coach, leading the Queensland State of Origin team to an unprecedented eight consecutive series wins from 2006 to 2013.

6. Alistair Nicholson

Alistair Nicholson is an Australian sports administrator and former cricketer. He was born on August 8, 1982, in Nambour, Queensland. Although Nicholson did not reach the same level of fame as some others on this list, he is recognized for his achievements in cricket administration. He served as the CEO of the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) from 2014 to 2021, advocating for the rights and welfare of professional cricketers in Australia.

7. Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher is an Australian actress and author. She was born on February 3, 1976, in Muscat, Oman, to Scottish parents. While not originally from the Sunshine Coast, Fisher later moved to the region and attended school there. She gained recognition for her roles in movies such as "Wedding Crashers" and "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Fisher has received critical acclaim for her comedic talents and continues to be active in the entertainment industry.

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Sunshine Coast Beach north of Caloundra
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