Where are they now – Peter Tehan (SPC 1968-71)

The College recently reconnected with Peter Tehan (SPC 1968-71, PY1973) who has enjoyed a rich and rewarding career in advertising and marketing and has recently gone into business with another SPC Old Collegian.

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

I finished my last two years schooling at St Joseph’s College Geelong as my parents were transferred to Geelong. From there I went to Monash Uni to study Economics. My working career (apart from a few explorations into other areas) has basically been in the advertising and marketing industry. Working in, and then running advertising and marketing agencies.

I’ve been lucky to work on some of Australia’s best and biggest brands at some of Australia’s greatest advertising agencies.

I recently merged my agency into Liquorice – a digital design agency- and I’m now the MD of the bigger Liquorice business. It’s a great group of really talented marketers, designers and software developers. It’s where I met up with another old boy Pete Binek (SPC 1996-2001).

What are your fondest memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?

Great mates, rowing – Head of the Lake, cadets – fantastic fun, sports of all sorts, and raising the roof when we did the War Cry as a school. No other school could beat us.

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?

My memory is that I had great teachers at school over my years there – teachers like Br Orville Wynne, ‘Stubby’ McDonald, Tony Benson. But the one that sticks in my mind was ‘Jake’ Farley. I can’t tell you why but he seemed to make learning fun and easy. And he was a good bloke.

How has your education shaped your professional life?

It instilled in me a good work ethic. You get back what you put in. It also gave me a broad group of people and places that I still refer to in business. Because of the boarders at school you end up knowing a lot of people from all over Victoria and the Riverina.

I have always been very proud to say on my resume and in business that I went to St Patrick’s Ballarat. The St Patrick’s brand said a lot about the type of graduates the school produced.

Also people always thought that if you went to St Patrick’s you must have been a great footballer. Unfortunately for me my football skills probably brought that reputation down a bit!

How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?

Work hard, but enjoy life at the same time. Help those around you, and those on the way up. It’ll pay you back in the long term.

I’ve got five fantastic kids. Family is paramount to me and I’ve tried to instil that into my kids also. So far it’s working.

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

You’re lucky enough to be going to one of the great school brands in Australia with a proud and rich history. Embrace it and enhance it. Your St Pat’s education is a great gift. Don’t waste it.

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