Old Boys in the News – June 2020

Our Old Boys have been busy, including:

Jonathan Davey is Ballarat City’s new senior coach. Photo by Lachlan Bence

• Congratulations to Jonathan Davey (SPC 1997-2002) who has been appointed as the new Ballarat City senior soccer coach and will lead the club when it takes the field in the newly-formed National Premier League three competition. To read more, click here
  

  Showbiz Ballarat director Chris Jones, centre, is happy to be reopening the cinema doors. Photo: Adam Trafford

• Great to hear Old Collegian Chris Jones (SPC 1988-91) is reopening the doors to his Showbiz Cinemas business in Delacombe after having to close due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. We wish Chris well! Click on the story here
• Fantastic story about Old Boy Sam Clark’s (SPC 2000-04, PY2005) gift to his mum Marie, with the recent arrival of baby Louis’ birth becoming the grandmother’s 50^th grandchild. That’s a lot of cuddles! Many of Marie’s grandchildren are Old Boys, including Dan Godson (SPC 2012-14), Jordy Clark (SPC 2013-18), Tom Godson (SPC 2012-17), Joshua Clark (SPC 2015-16, PY2020), along with current SPC students, Declan and James Clark (Year 7), Logan Clark (Year 9) and Will Clark (Year 12). Let’s hope baby Louis and some of the younger grandchildren also wear the green, white and blue when they get older too! To read more, click here
• Great to see Old Boy Josh Muir (SPC 2004-07, PY2009) among 100 creatives recently chosen to participate in the Royal Children’s Hospital Art Trail to each design an “UooUoo” sculpture, which will aim to bring colour and creativity to the streets of Melbourne and Geelong and raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne at the same time. Josh’s design is yet to be unveiled, but we know it will be good. To read more, click here
  

  The Relay for Life team event in Antarctica, which was organised by old Collegian Anthony Edwards.

• In our last GWB, we chatted with Old Boy Anthony Edwards (SPC 1985-90) who is the Tasmania manager for Relay For Life, for the Cancer Council of Tasmania. At the time, Anthony was ensuring everything was ready to go for a unique Relay for Life walking event he had organised in Antarctica. The event took place in May and while it may have compared to Ballarat weathers, minus 23-degree conditions are pretty extreme. Anthony reports snow ploughs graded a 1km circuit around the Casey Station Research centre allowing 22 people to walk for 20 hours and brave the elements. “In the process, they raised an impressive $18,358 to help fight against cancer,” Anthony told the GWB. “Having cancelled our event in Tasmania during March due to COVID-19, it was a happy positive story to share with people across many states and many communities during a difficult time for everyone.”
• It appears football is now the primary focus for Old Collegian Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2021) who was going to have to make a tough choice between Aussie rules or athletics until the coronavirus pandemic effectively closed off his options. To read more, click here
• Well done to Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) who has received confirmation that he has a Victorian cricket contract for the coming season. To read more, click here
• Bungaree footy coach and Old Boy Ryan Waight (SPC 1998-2003) outlined what he considered the best and fairest way to complete a Central Highlands FL season in 2020 following the coronavirus crisis, which has crushed local sport so far this year. To read more, click here
• Three-time North Ballarat Roosters VFL premiership coach Gerard FitzGerald (SPC 1973, PY1975) shares his views on the effect that the coronavirus has had on community football, creating a fatigue within the sport. Gerard had been preparing for his first season as Hamilton Kangaroos senior coach, but will have to wait until next year after the Hampden Football Netball League decided to not go ahead with 2020 competition. To read more, click here
• Congratulations to Old Collegian Jason Trethowan (SPC 1987-91) who, in his role as national chief executive officer of headspace, has struck a unique deal with the AFL to provide ongoing mental health support for future generations of young AFL and AFLW footballers. Well done Jason! To read more, click here
• Great to chat to 1991 College Captain Chris Henderson (SPC 1986-91) recently who has been busy juggling the demands of fatherhood with the birth of his firstborn son Ronny as well as working as business manager for BASECON, a company which completes residential housing foundations, and has been fortunate to have work at an “all-time” high during the coronavirus. Chris was guest speaker at our Academic Assembly earlier this year. To watch Chris’ moving speech to the SPC cohort, click here
• Café and restaurants owners were rejoicing with the easing of social distancing regulations due to the coronavirus at the start of June, including Golden City Hotel owner Tim Kearney (SPC 1989-94) who is looking forward to the hospitality sector being able to welcome back customers, click here to read more.
  

  Gavin James talks about the impact of the coronavirus on the tourism industry.

• Old Collegian and owner of Lake Wendouree Luxury Apartments Gavin James (SPC 1970-75) speaks out about the impact of the coronavirus on the tourism industry and businesses like his in this story here
• Congratulations to local accountants and Old Boys David Adams (SPC 2009-14) who has recently joined MDS Accounting, and James Edmends (SPC 2004-09) who has joined Gilchrist & Co.
• We are glad to hear Old Boy Ryan Keating (SPC 1990-94, PY1995) was okay after expressing thanks on social media to emergency services and his family after he was injured when the train he was travelling in failed to stop and careered through Ballarat’s historic Lydiard Street gates at Ballarat Station recently. Ryan was taken to hospital with a head injury, neck and back soreness and cuts and abrasions in a stable condition. To read more, click here
  

  Sam Payne with his grandfather Paddy. Photo by Lachlan Bence

• Old Boy Sam Payne (SPC 2005-07, PY2010) has become the first grandson of the Payne family patriarch to ride a winner for his grandfather Paddy Payne with victory aboard Ronay at Ballarat recently and believes he is well placed to forge a long and successful career as a rider. To read more, click here
• Great to reconnect with Mark Alexander (SPC 2004-09) recently who is working as a registered nurse at Beaufort.
• Physiotherapist and Old Boy Michael Pierce (SPC 1983-88) is urging people to ease back into exercise, warning against an onslaught of iso injuries from the return to organised sports and gyms following the coronavirus distancing restrictions. Michael is a senior physiotherapist at the Lake Health Group in Ballarat and was impressed with the number of people opting against couch time. To read more, click here
  

  Tony Liston with course professional Michael Cooke. Photo by Lachlan Bence

• Old Boy Tony Liston (SPC 1987-90) has made the most of the coronavirus restrictions and ban on golfers to complete key course works at Ballarat’s Midlands Golf Course, where he is course superintendent. To read more, click here
  

  Chris Banwell speaks out about being a footy coach during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by The Courier

• Great story with Old Boy Chris Banwell (SPC 1999-2004) about the strange experience of being a senior footy coach during an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. To read more about how the Newlyn coach is faring, click  here
• We reconnected recently with Marc Brown (SPC 2000-05) who is working as part of the management team for NGP Group in sales for Volkswagen. Marc has been working with the company for eight years, successfully completing his cadetship with the company.
• Great to reconnect recently with Matt Carey (SPC 2000-05) who is busy working in the family business, Carey Civil Contractors.
  

  Liam Fisher, far right, taking part in the Push Up Challenge.

• Old Boy Liam Fisher (SPC 2011-16) and some of his tradie mates were busy building up muscle strength for a good cause, recently taking part in a recent push-up challenge to raise funds for youth mental health organisation Headspace. Good job Liam! To read more, click here
• Australian Hotels Association Victorian president and Old Collegian David Canny (SPC 1980-85) has been busy in his role as the nation’s advocate for publicans during the coronavirus. David initially expressed relief at the news that pubs, restaurants and cafés were reopening as distancing restrictions eased at the start of June, but it has not been plain sailing for publicans. To read more about what David has said on the matter, click here, here and here
• Great to reconnect with Old Boy Luke Laubsch (SPC 2004, PY2006) who has fled Ballarat’s cold climate for the warmer weather of the Northern Territory, where he is working as a diesel mechanic.
• Old Collegian Allister Morrison (SPC 1990-95) talks about the real estate industry amid the state government’s easing of distancing restrictions, to read, click here
  

  Tim Canny. Photo by The Courier

• Old Collegian Tim Canny (SPC 1995-2000), who operates Ballarat’s Sovereign Park Motor Inn, comments about the reduction of short stay accommodation in Ballarat due to the coronavirus in this story here  as well as plans for the cycling community with the easing of social distancing restrictions in his role as Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club president. To read more, click here
• It was great to catch up with Josh Pearson (SPC 2001-05, PY2006) recently. Josh is now working as the chief technology officer of the media company, SEN, and has been busy during the coronavirus crisis, helping nearly 400 staff with the various online platforms to successfully work from home. Go Josh!
• We reconnected recently with Justin Sculley (SPC 2000-05) who has fortunately been able to continue working during the coronavirus pandemic with his employment as a storeman for a company which manufactures emergency vehicles, considered an essential service.
• We caught up with Jarrod King (SPC 2000-05) who has been very busy during the coronavirus crisis in his role in IT at the Ballarat Base Hospital in setting up staff to work from home and setting up clinical health technology including video telehealth platforms. Great work Jarrod!
• AFL Goldfields regional manager and Old Collegian Gerard Ryan (SPC 1974-79) and former staff) comments on the shock overhaul of the AFL Goldfields Commission recently, to read more, click here
• We caught up recently with Kim Johnston (SPC 2002-05) who is now working as a concreter in the construction industry.
• We reconnected recently with Nick Mason (SPC 1999-2004) who is working in the rapidly-growing wind farm industry, on a wind farm under construction at Lismore. Nick, a fitter and turner by trade, moved back to the Ballarat area after a period living in Darwin. Nick attended SPC with his twin brother James (SPC 1999-2004) and brother Francis (SPC 2005-10).
• Dennis Foley (SPC 1966-72) and Luke Dunne (SPC 1987-92) were noted for their contribution to Ballarat basketball’s elite men’s program in a story feature recently, with their roles as program presidents and “their drive, passion and commitment” stated as the main reason the program has continued over 34 years. To read more, click here
• We caught up with Paul Jeffers (SPC 1998-2003) recently, who is now working as a freelance photographer for news agencies and corporate events. Paul completed a three-year photography course in Melbourne after leaving SPC and spent a few years overseas before returning home.
• Great to hear the news that Fr James Kerr (SPC 2000-05) is moving to Swan Hill as a parish priest.
• Congratulations to Old Collegian Stephen McMahon (SPC 1986-91) who graduated as a doctor of medicine in the most unusual circumstances due to the earlier coronavirus lockdown regulations. Stephen’s entire medical school cohort graduated in absentia, with the graduation ceremony now expected to be held in six to 12 moths late when distancing regulations have eased and it is considered safe to do so. Instead of celebrating at his graduation ceremony, Stephen spent the long-awaited day busy interning on the hospital wards. Even so, Stephen said it was a “good day”. Stephen thanked his family and friends for helping him along the four-year journey, which included an interstate move during the study years, to help him achieve what he has described as an “exciting new beginning”.
• Virtual events have become popular during the coronavirus crisis, with Ballarat Olympian Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) becoming the first prominent Australian runner to put his name to the Great Ocean Road Running Festival – virtual edition. For Mona, it’s all about exercising, having a goal and keeping your head in the right space and staying motivated in the current environment. To read more, click here
• Wonderful to reconnect with Old Collegian Rodger Fernandez (SPC 1976-82) who is a solicitor with FCG Legal. To find out more about the great work Rodger is doing, click here
• Great to chat with Robert Winter (SPC 1996-2001) who is working as a bricklayer in the Ballarat area.
• Great to reconnect with Scott Brown (SPC 1996-2001) who was a high school teacher until last year and is now working in the private sector for an engineering company as a training co-ordinator. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Scott has been able to work from home and continue to conduct training programs via online platforms, but he is looking forward to mixing with his colleagues and students in person, hopefully soon.
• Great to reconnect with Sam Garland (SPC 1999-2004) who is now based in Ocean Grove, working as an electrician and has a young family.
• Great to chat to Stephen King (SPC 1998-2003) who is working as a joiner these days and keeping busy despite the coronavirus pandemic.
• Great to chat to Tim Knowles (SPC 1997-2002) recently who is working as a site manager these days, mainly in Melbourne for Ballarat construction firm, H Troon.
• Great to chat to Steve Nolan (SPC 1999-2003, PY 2004) who is combining work in a plumbing business in Geelong with life on the farm on a few acres near Ballan.
• Great to reconnect recently with Sean O’Meara (SPC 2002-07) who is working at the Iris Ramsay Kindergarten.
• Great to reconnect with Tom Burgess (SPC 2001-06) who is now a budding film director. Tom studied media at school, but admitted he was more interested in SPC’s sports program at the time. Great to hear Tom is following his true passions!
  

  David Dickinson in his teaching role at Minyip.

• Great to see former boarder David Dickinson (SPC 1988-90) keeping the schoolkids at Minyip Primary School happy where he is a teacher.
• Two-time national boxing champion Jack Denahy (SPC 2011-14, PY2016) is taking a break from the sport, and it may be for good. To find out why, click here
• Old Boy Blake Thomson (SPC 2011-15) has earned selection in the Victoria Premier Cricket team of the season for the first time. The former East Ballarat junior averaged 52.42 runs for Melbourne to be selected as a specialist batsman in the 12-strong side. Blake received the great news after tuning into the Cricket Victoria end of season awards ceremony via Youtube. To read more, click here
  
• Great to see the Rokewood-Corindhap footy club at it again, with one of our Old Boys Patrick Smith (SPC 2002-07) in the spotlight this time as the “Naked Chef” in their latest hilarious isolation clip. To watch, click here
• Waubra premiership coach Matt James (SPC 2005-10) weighed into the debate recently about playing a footy season without crowd access, saying he believed it’s “definitely” worth running local competitions even if spectators were unable to attend matches due to COVID-19 restrictions. To read more, click here

If you have any news on our Old Collegians, please contact the College’s Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston on (03) 5322 4442 or by email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au