Hundreds of past students of St Joseph’s School are scattered throughout Australia and around the world, working across every industry. We’re proud of our past students and their achievements – big and small. In future newsletters, we will be highlighting a past student and sharing what they have been up to since leaving the Joey's gates. 

MICHAEL CATANZARO

What year did you graduate?

I graduated in 2009 and spent my entire primary and secondary years at St Joseph's. 

What were your favourite subjects at St Joseph’s School?

I would have to say that HPE, Media and English all come to mind. All three subjects were taught by terrific teachers (Mr Armstrong (JA), Mr Wilkinson and Mrs Tancred) who challenged me to ask more of myself.

Can you tell us about your time at St Joseph’s School? Is there anything you especially remember?

My time at school was right before the big social media and technology boom. This meant we were still using the old computer room, as opposed to laptops, and had to print and physically hand in our assignments instead of emailing them. We were allowed to walk to Woolies (at least I think we were) for lunch but we had to keep our phones hidden throughout the day. We also had our Futsal lessons on the concrete courts which made any slips or falls 100 times worse and missed out on using the new indoor facility, which looks amazing. 

I especially recall how beneficial the small class sizes were for my learning and how important it was to have teachers who knew me personally and who were invested in my achievements on a personal level.

Of course, and without a doubt, my best memories will always be the countless laughs and experiences gained by being surrounded by your friends all day.

I was fortunate enough to see most of my classmates again during our ten-year reunion and as soon as we met up, we instantly picked up where we had left off all those years ago. It was great to put our life on hold for a day and to relive these moments together again.

What has been your journey since finishing school? Briefly outline your career path and what you are doing now. Have you always wanted to pursue the kind of career you have embarked on?

My main goal in life was always to become a professional footballer, but my “back up” was to study law. After my first option didn’t work out, I bit the bullet and enrolled in Bachelor of Laws at QUT. After 5 or so years I graduated from University and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland. My admission was a special moment for me as I had my father move my admission on my behalf - effectively he stood up and asked that the Court accept me as a Lawyer. Afterwards I was able to sign the same “Roll of Solicitors” which my father had signed some 33 years prior.

After my admission I worked for a firm in Brisbane where I was working during university.  I started in property and banking/finance law, which wasn’t meeting my expectations at the time. After a year or so working in Brisbane, I made the decision to join my father here in Stanthorpe and to expand my practice into succession law, commercial litigation, family law and now criminal law. The main factor in my decision was to gain exposure to multiple practice areas and to avoid being pigeon-holed in one area. I also wanted to take a more hands on approach in meeting and discussing issues with clients myself as opposed to simply churning out work without interacting with the client.

I am now fortunate enough to be on the front line and I regularly appear in both the Queensland Courts and the Commonwealth Courts which keeps my work interesting and diverse.

My career decision to move back to Stanthorpe has been one that I haven’t looked back from and one that has fast tracked my professional development when compared to my colleagues back in the city. I am also fortunate enough to have the support of my beautiful girlfriend Ashley, along with a great network of family, friends and colleagues who I rely on constantly and who have assisted me in my  career path. 

What do you believe St Joseph’s School has shown you/given you as a person?

Among so many other things, I would say that I learnt the ability to identify my own weaknesses and the confidence to ask for help when needed. I struggled with my schooling early on and it wasn’t until I realised how little my problems could be if I took the time to ask for help from my teachers first. St Joseph’s showed me that I needed to take responsibility for my own learning and that I needed to develop my own desire to focus and to study to improve not only my grades, but myself as well.  

Looking back, this lesson was critical for me and one that propelled me from failing some classes at school into studying law at University.  

What piece of advice would you have for current students at St Joseph’s School?

Don’t be afraid to work harder than those around you. Be sure to surround yourself with likeminded and positive individuals (be it friends, teachers or professionals) to help you develop and to get through the constant challenges that life throws at you.  

Never spend more money than what you earn and start saving money as early as possible. Be sure to keep investing in yourself after school ends, for example by playing sport, exercising, reading, networking and learning new skills, and finally, never, under any circumstances, drink and drive!