Old Boys in the News – September 2024

Our Old Boys have been in the spotlight, including:

Chris Packer and his wife Lindy. Photo: The Courier

• 

  LeRoy Hand.

  Congratulations to Old Collegian Chris Packer (SPC 1978-83) for taking the top gong in the Commerce Ballarat Business Awards recently. The Alfredton-based accounting firm, Chris Packer & Associates was named business of the year, also winning the Professional Service Business Award. Fellow Old Boy LeRoy Hand (SPC 1993-98), from the Turret Café & Catering, also took home the best restaurant, café, pub business award. Wow! What a fantastic effort! To read more, click here

• Bungaree veteran Chris Cowan (SPC 2000-03, PY2005) talks about the emotion around his appearance in this weekend’s Central Highlands FL preliminary final in this story here
• Former professional cyclist Pat Shaw (SPC 1998-2004) talks about the positives of a potential e-bike library in a city like Ballarat, read more here
  

  Tom Madden.

• Well done to local stock agent and auctioneer Tom Madden (SPC 1999-2004), who works for TB White & Sons Pty Ltd, for winning the AuctionsPlus Gary Dick Award – Sheep. Tom, a respected figure in the industry, was the sixth highest lister of sheep, with nearly 23,000 head, and holds the best clearance rate of 93.2 per cent in head and 91.9 per cent in lots. AuctionsPlus News stated “his expertise extends beyond his listings, as he also contributes to the industry by delivering assessor courses for the RMA Network with a focus on sheep and Tom’s dedication to his clients and AuctionsPlus makes him a deserving recipient of this award”. Well done Tom!

Tyrone McCuskey. Photo: Kate Healy

• Tyrone McCuskey (SPC 1977-81, PY1982) talks about his many highlights at the helm of McCallum Disability Services after announcing he is stepping down as chief executive in January, read more here

• Great to see Patrick Payne (SPC 1988-89, PY1993) and sister Michelle had their first starter at Moonee Valley recently under their new joint training partnership, joining forces following Michelle’s retirement as a jockey earlier this year. To read more, click here
• Paul Ballinger (SPC 1977-83) talks about the current subdued housing market in this story here
• Waubra has appointed Caleb McGrath (SPC 2008-13) as a joint coach of Waubra next year in the Central Highlands FL, while Joel Ottavi (SPC 2008-12, PY2013) is set to become a joint coach at Buninyong, taking over from Shaun O’Loughlin (SPC 1990-95), read more here and here
  

  Will Henderson. Photo: Lachlan Bence

   

• Congratulations also to Dunnstown’s first-year captain Will Henderson (SPC 2014-19) who was crowned the Central Highlands FL best and fairest for 2024, edging out fellow Old Boy Sean Willmott (SPC 2008-13 & staff) from Newlyn, and Skipton ruckman Pat Graham, who were named runners-up. In a tight count, Nick O’Brien (SPC 2006-11) from Carngham-Linton was only one vote behind the runners-up. Sean Willmott also came third in the Player of the Year, Ryan Waight (SPC 1998-2003) (who has recommitted as Bungaree senior coach for the 2025 season, but announced it will be his last year) was recognised as Coach of the Year and Patrick Smith (SPC 2002-07) (Rokewood-Corindhap) won the Reserves best and fairest with teammate Ed Denouden (SPC 1999-2000, PY2004), who is set to co-coach the senior team next season, coming runner-up. Matt Ryan (SPC 2018-23) won the rookie of the year award after being named in the best in 14 of his 16 appearances, to read more, click here and here
• It was great to see Aaron Cadman (SPC 2016-2020, PY2021) back in Ballarat for the Giants’ AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium. Aaron was looking forward to being back on home soil, but it was GWS’s day, going down to the Bulldogs by 37 points, read more here
• Read the moving story here from the wife of Old Collegian Nathan Shanahan (SPC 1988-93) highlighting the invaluable support Legacy Australia has shown her family during their toughest times. Nathan, a former soldier and firefighter, was an advocate for mental health and PTSD before he tragically took his own life on 22 December, 2016. In other community support, Buninyong and Clunes took to the field for the Shanahan Cup, an annual fixture in the Central Highlands FL’s season, in memory of Nathan and raising awareness for mental health. To read more, click here

• David Gallagher (SPC 2000-05) took up the community torch for Waubra along with others relating to a power infrastructure issue which could affect the Central Highlands FL finals, read more in this story here
• Congratulations to Ballarat City’s playing coach Michael Trigger (SPC 2006-11) who lined up for his 200^th senior game for the club he loves recently. Read more here
• Great to see Old Boy Nick Brown (SPC 2010-15) working as venue manager at the latest addition to Ballarat’s hospitality precinct, Our Bar, to read more, click here
• Great to see Damian Irvin (SPC 2018-23) talking about his love for football umpiring in this story here
• Jack “Phar” Jenkins (SPC 2006-11) made a powerful return to the octagon for the UFC 305, held in Perth last month, recording a win against Herbert Burns, in a great move forward after losing his last game after sustaining an elbow dislocation during the fight. This was Jack’s first fight back since that elbow injury. Well done Jack! To read more, click here and here
  

  Luke Wilson, pictured left. Photo: Footlight Productions

• Great to see Old Boy Luke Wilson (SPC 2008-13) recently playing the lead role of Danny Zuko in the highly acclaimed production of Grease at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Luke is developing quite an outstanding CV for his performances on-stage and many will remember Luke showcasing his talents during SPC’s musical productions and even being named joint winner of 2013 St Pats Has Talent!
• Fabulous to see Old Boy Luke Keys (SPC 1988-93) making such a success of the Poco Film Festival, which attracted a high-calibre of filmmakers for its second showing in late July, including fellow Old Boy and filmmaker Mark Molloy (SPC 1993), read more here
  

  Sam Short celebrating his Wildcats win. Photo: NBL1 South website

   

• Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) was part of the Eltham Wildcats basketball team which took on the Ballarat Miners in the NB1 South Men’s Grand Final earlier this term. Sam reflected on his time at SPC and the competitive edge he developed under the guidance of Miners legend and SPC staff member Eric Hayes. And the result… Eltham Wildcats took the win, 79-70, with Sam contributing two points, four assists and three rebounds. To read more, click here
  

  John Bourke. Picture: The Courier

• John Bourke (SPC 1969-75, PY1976) reminisces and reflects on his time as former manager of The Regent Cinema in Ballarat’s Lydiard Street precinct after the shock news that the historic cinema complex had shut down recently. Read more here
• Brett Bewley (SPC 2008-13) was in the news after producing the highest rated game of any player this season in the Ballarat FNL in Darley’s win over North Ballarat with a staggering 57 possessions in their 12-point win in mid-July. Meanwhile, fellow Old Boys Josh Sparkman (SPC 2017-22) and Elliott Lamb (SPC 2013-18) also rated a mention with their huge possession pick-ups from the same weekend of footy, to read more click here
  In other footy news, Jake Dunne (SPC 2005-10) is finishing up as Learmonth senior coach after two seasons due to time demands after coming across from the Ballarat Swans, read more here
  

  Austin Reinehr.

• Congratulations to Austin Reinehr (SPC 2018-2021) who is the first recipient of the Rowing Australia Flavia Gobbo OAM Bursary. A member of the Australian U23’s Men’s Four, Austin is considered a “rising star” in our national rowing program. The bursary aims to cultivate the champions of tomorrow, ensuring that they have the resources needed to succeed on the international stage. Read Austin’s reaction to the news 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