Nudgee Stories

Story Added : October 2007

Ted O'Brien and O'Brien family

When ever possible we like to include in Signum Fidei accounts of the lives of Nudgee Old Boys. In fact we constantly ask that such stories be submitted for publication. We also regularly include data concerning Nudgee Families. The outline of Ted O’Brien’s life since his time at Nudgee is one such story.

However, the O’Brien family association with Nudgee is also worthy of specific mention. Ted is one of seven brothers who attended Nudgee. Together with Bernard (1976-79), Thomas (1977-80), Stephen (1978-82), David (1979-83), Peter(1982-86) and Paul 1984-88) they all not only distinguished themselves at Nudgee both academically and in sporting and leadership roles but after leaving Nudgee graduated from University and now serve with success in their chosen professions. The story which follows is about just one of the brothers of this family

Ted O'BrienTed O’Brien comes from a family with a long and proud Queensland heritage. Growing up as the youngest of nine children, he was educated at Nudgee College, where he was elected School Captain and awarded the Carlton Smith Memorial Trophy for outstanding Leadership, Character and Sport. During his school years, Ted trained as a baker with the family business, Defiance Mills and worked in this trade while at university.

Ted graduated with a BA from the University of Queensland, where he was Student President of St Leo’s College and a Presidential Candidate for the Student Union. He won an Asia-Pacific Fellowship from the Australian Commonwealth Government, which sponsored him to work for Defiance Mills in Taiwan while completing studies in Chinese Mandarin with High Distinction at the National Taiwan Normal University.

Upon his return to Australia, Ted joined the Australian Rice Growers’ Cooperative, for whom he traveled in a business development capacity across the Asia-Pacific. During this time Ted achieved 1st class honors in his Masters degree in International Business at the University of Melbourne, and went on to complete a further Masters degree in Politics of the World Economy at the London School of Economics.

After successfully completing his studies in London, Ted joined Accenture, a global consulting, technology and outsourcing company. For four years, he was one of the firm’s standout performers as a business strategist, consulting to clients in the communications and high technology sectors. With his focus on Australia and China, Ted was promoted to Accenture’s niche Market Maker team in 2005, and is responsible for the shaping and negotiation of large complex deals across the Asia-Pacific region.

Ted has established a reputation as an effective advocate, most notably through the Australian Republican Movement (ARM). Starting as a grassroots local volunteer, Ted went on to lead the movement, having been its National Chairman until recently. In this role, he has gained considerable experience with, and insight into, the workings of Federal Parliament. Ted is on the organizing committee for the 500Club and is an active member of the Australia-China Business Council.

Beyond his experience in economics, business and national advocacy, Ted has a consistent record of community service spanning many years. Having started as a volunteer with St Vincent de Paul in his adolescence, Ted continues to volunteer his time to the Australian Youth Development Program, Rosie’s Friends on the Street, and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, particularly with respect to breast cancer research.

Ted is married to Sophia, a student of Law and International Relations at Griffith University. They live together in Brisbane. In addition to spending time with family and friends, his personal interests include cricket, rugby union, league and the performing arts, with an increasing interest in AFL.
Nudgee College Old Boys’ Association Inc. ......P.O. Box 130, Virginia Qld 4014 ......Phone: (07) 3865 0551 ......Fax: (07) 3865 7546