Old Boys in the News – December 2023

Our Old Boys have been in the headlines, including:

• Great to see Old Collegian Ron Morrison (SPC 1953-62, PY1963) profiled in this great story here about his impressive career with 40 years experience as a real estate agent in Ballarat.

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Liam Duggan (SPC 2009-14) who has been named co-captain of the West Coast Eagles, alongside teammate Oscar Allen. Well done Liam! To read more, click here

• Old Collegian Gus Martin (SPC 2004-09) reached his physical limits while completing The Long Night run recently from Federation Square to Ballarat, a test of endurance along with two mates, in a bid to raise money and awareness for youth mental health organisation Headspace. The run was also sparked by the loss of his mate and fellow classmate James Petrie (SPC 2001-06) to suicide in 2022. To read more of Gus’ story, click here and here

• Well done to Haddon master blaster Shaun McArthur (SPC 1997-2000, PY2002) who has hit four centuries in a row in the Grenville Cricket Association this season. To read more, click here

• James Zentveld (SPC 2015-2020) has nationals in sight after an impressive competition debut in the Australian Powerlifting League’s “Champions of Geelong” event, where he powered his way to overall victory in the junior (up to 23 years) 10kg division and second in the 20-39 category and is now looking to nationals in Brisbane next year. Well done James! To read more, click here

• While Gus conquered The Long Night, others showed up in support for the recent Peach’s Run, founded in memory of James Petrie (SPC 2001-06), to help raise awareness of mental health. To read more read more, click here and here

• Old Boys Sam Fisher (SPC 2014-19) and Alonzo Soloman (SPC 2016-21) are leaving the Ballarat Swans and North Ballarat respectively to play for SMW Rovers in the Mininera football league next season, while Mitch McGrath (SPC 2013-18) departs Ballarat for Newlyn in the Central Highlands FL, to read more, click here

• Great news also for Oscar McDonald (SPC 2011-13) who has been offered a lifeline back into the AFL with Fremantle signing the tall defender on the opening day of the delisted free agency period. The former Melbourne and Carlton player has been given a two-year deal to rejoin his order brother and Melbourne forward Tom in AFL ranks. To read more, click here

• A great story on Old Collegian Bailey Van De Heuvel (SPC 2011-16) here and well done to Sam Lalor (SPC 2019-22, PY2024) who has gained selection into the 2024 AFL/AFLW National Academy Programs. Meanwhile, Australian cricketer Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) walks taller into new BBL season with Adelaide Strikers, read more here, and is also featured in a great podcast here

• Great to see old Collegian Matthew Henderson (SPC 1991-96) continuing his love of music and performing arts as a member of the school concert band once upon a time, to now being in charge of making sure theatregoers see the best show possible, as company manager and stage manager of Elvis: A Musical Revolution, the bio-musical currently taking the country by storm. Well done Matthew! Read more on Matt’s life and journey by clicking here

• Well done to Old Collegian Andrew Amor (SPC 2016-18) on an outstanding individual performance at the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in Joplin MO. Representing New Mexico Highlands, Andrew finished fifth in a field of over 260 athletes. Andrew was well known for his running in his St Pat’s days and his taken this form to the United States.

• In other footy news, Tom Lamb (SPC 2005-09, PY2010) is moving from Redan to Rokewood-Corindhap in the Western Plains FL, read more in this story here

• It is wonderful to see Lachie’s Legacy, formed in memory of old Collegian Lachie Poulter (SPC 2006-09, PY2010) who sadly died while playing footy during a Central Highlands game back in 2018, is helping raise funds and sporting gear to send to young footballers in remote Northern Territory clubs. Read more on this heartfelt story here

• It is fantastic to see the Walking Off The War Within message spreading wider with a WOTW event, which shines the light on mental health and formed in memory of Old Collegian Nathan Shanahan (SPC 1988-93), attracting participants in Warrnambool in late October. To read more, click here

• Great to hear Old Collegian Patrick McKinnon (SPC 2008-13) is enjoying his life working on the land at a farm in Branxholme near Hamilton, in this story here

 

If you have any news on our Old Collegians, please contact Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston via email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au