Old Boys in the News – March 2017

Our Old Boys have been busy boys in all sectors, including:

• Dan Butler (SPC 2009-14) made his AFL debut for Richmond last Thursday night against Carlton in terrific form, kicking two goals and named in the Tigers’ best. Butler played alongside fellow Old Boys Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15) and Shaun Grigg (SPC 2001-06). To read more about their form, go to this link– or find out everything you want to know about Dan Butler in this comical interview with his Tigers teammates at this link.– Dan talks about his hopes for a big season in an earlier interview at this link.

• Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79,PY1981), who is making his return to the coaching ranks tomorrow, taking charge of the Old Haileybury girls’ team at Elsternwick Park in Melbourne. Frawley hasn’t been in the coaches’ box since he left Richmond in 2004. Frawley’s three daughters, Keeley, Chelsea and Danielle will be playing for Old Haileybury and could end up playing in the AFLW given St Kilda is set to join the competition within two years and has introduced the father-daughter rule.

• Drew Petrie (SPC 1995-2000) is recovering from surgery after breaking several bones in his left hand in the opening stages of West Coast’s Sunday AFL win over his former club, North Melbourne. In an earlier story, Drew talked about his feelings about wearing the West Coast Eagles jumper in a preview to the opening clash. To read more, go to this link and this link.

• The heartbroken family of Jacob Everett (SPC 2011-15, PY2016), who died in a car accident on Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour last year has called for action to improve the road’s safety. To read more, go to this link and this link.

• Amid all the excitement surrounding the start of a new AFL season can we also ask all in our community to spare a thought and share a prayer for Tom Downie (SPC 2010-11) who is on extended leave from the GWS Giants as he battles to overcome some mental health issues. Get well soon Tom. To read more, go to this link.

• Congratulations to Ben Melham (SPC 2000-03) who is having a stellar time in the saddle, recently winning the world’s richest two-year-old gallops race, the Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens, on star filly She Will Reign. To read more, go to this link– and this link.

• Nick O’Brien (SPC 2006-11) has been named captain of the Essendon VFL side for the 2017 season. To read more, go to this link.

• Father John Fitzgerald (SPC 1966-69) has called for debate over married men as priests. Father Fitzgerald, the parish priest at St Joseph’s in Warrnambool, welcomed a recent statement by Pope Francis that the church should consider allowing married men to be ordained as priests in rural communities facing clergy shortages. To read more, go to this link.

• A team of Shepparton firefighters talk about why they are doing a 20km walk for their mate Nathan Shanahan (SPC 1988-93) who sadly died late last year. To read more, go to this link. Ballarat firefighter Josh Martin also talks about why he is getting involved in the walk, which will be staged at Victoria Park and St Patrick’s College, in a story at this link.

• See what great things Chris Saunders (SPC 2011-15) is doing as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Officer at La Trobe University. Watch his video at this link.

• This year’s legendary Meredith Music Festival, founded by the Nolan family including Chris Nolan (SPC 1980-85), went ahead in the shadow of the sad passing of Chris’ father John Nolan. Read about Chris’ continuing involvement in the festival, which is held on the family farm, and the festival fans’ fitting tribute to his dad at this link.

• Congratulations to Neil Jens (SPC 1959-66) who has opened a new real estate agency in Ballarat, Red Circle Real Estate. Neil is director of the agency and was formerly with PRD Nationwide. To find out more, go to this link.

• Rising star Joel Ottavi (SPC 2008-12) has secured a contract with Essendon’s Victorian Football League team. To read more, go to this link.

• Will Austin (SPC 2010-14) is returning to play for Daylesford in the Central Highlands Football League in 2017. The former TAC Cup-listed player, whose indigenous heritage took him to the Northern Territory in 2016, worked in sport and community development with the local community while playing with the Wanderers in the NTFL. To read more, go to this link.

• Jacob Hopper (SPC 2014-15) is hoping for a better 2017 season after an interrupted season with back stress fractures and heart surgery in the off-season. To read more, go to this link.

• John Molony (SPC 1942-44), Professor Emeritus of History at ANU and Adjunct Professor at the Australian Catholic University, has released his latest book, Captain James Cook: Claiming the Great South Land. The book was launched at the National Library of Australia on February 22 and is published by Connor Court Publishing and available from book stores. This is John’s 17^th published book at the age of 89. In a huge compliment to John’s skills, the curator of Treasures at the National Library, in his speech at the launch, that every school in Australia should have a copy of the book.

• Dennis Foley (SPC 1966-72) gained a honourable mention in Parliament in February from Ballarat MP Joshua Morris (SPC 1995-2000), who congratulated Dennis on his lifetime support of local sport- in Ballarat, in light of his recent retirement as treasurer of the Ballarat and District Trotting Club after more than 30 years’ service. Joshua told the Parliamentarians of Dennis’ valuable work in the community,- not only with the Ballarat Miners Basketball Club, Ballarat Basketball Association,- Ballarat Basketball Foundation and Ballarat Celtic Tigers Basketball Club, but also- his commitment to the community through his connection with St Patrick’s College as a board member for nine years, chair of the board for two years and current chair of the St Patrick’s College Foundation. Dennis was- honoured- as a St Patrick’s College Legend in 2013.- Well done Dennis!

• News early in the season surrounding Daniel Rioli’s (SPC 2012-15) new AFL deal to stay with Richmond. To read more, go to this link.

• Anthony Pearce (SPC 1988-93) speaks to the media in his role as CFA operations officer about firefighters’ frustrations with people who continue to flout fire restrictions. To read more, go to this link.

• Jon Kanoa (SPC 1995-2000) has recently joined the AFL Goldfields Commission. Jon is currently the director for Family Support Services with the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative. Prior to this role, Jon was the executive officer of the Department of Justice and Regulation Victoria. Jon played junior football at SPC, Redan, Ballarat Schoolboys and was in the Victorian Aboriginal Football team.

• We recently heard from Carl Smith (SPC 2008-11) who is currently studying a Master of Information Management at RMIT University.

• Matt James (SPC 2005-10 and former staff) has joined Marian College in Ararat, where he will teach physical education in 2017. For more, go to this link.

• Ballarat horse trainer Andrew Payne (SPC 1993-94) is having a rippa of a season, recording a win in every four runners. To read more, go to this link.

• Ryan Bell (SPC 2010) has moved further away from his Dimboola roots to Werribee, gaining a teaching position at Wyndham Central College after graduating from Federation University. Ryan was a weekly boarder at SPC. To read more, go to this link.

• Ballarat physiotherapist Charlie Flynn (SPC 1971-72), also chairman of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, talks about the growing interest in the profession, from both university students and patients. To read more, go to this link.

• Steve Bracks (SPC 1968-71) has been appointed as the chair of Cycling Australia and, in a positive sign for his former hometown, given a good indication towards Ballarat’s chances of continuing as the host of the Cycling Australia Road Nationals. To read more, go to this link.

• Well done to Tom Bannister (SPC 2010-15) who has been inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society after his first year at Federation University. Golden Key is the world’s largest collegiate honor society. Membership into the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as top-performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements. Tom is currently studying the Bachelor of Professional Practice in Information Technology at Fed Uni.

• William Gallagher (SPC 2007-12) was recognised in the -Green, White and Blue- last year for receiving the City of Ballarat Youth Leadership in Sport award for his efforts in organising the Midnight Basketball program in Ballarat which helps “youth at risk” using basketball. William’s great work has been further acknowledged, with William gaining a nomination for this year’s City of Ballarat Young Citizen of the Year award. William also received a similar award for the Pyrenees Shire on Australia Day this year. Well done!

• Ballarat greenskeeper Keegan Mead (SPC 2006-11) is all set to spread his wings and embark on a working trip of a lifetime with a 12-month stay in the US as part of The Ohio Program. To read about Keegan’s trip, go to this link.