Old Boys in the News – May 2022

Our Old Boys have been busy, including:

Cooper Craig-Peters, pictured third from left, with Western Bulldogs players, displaying their designs. Photo: Western Bulldogs FC

• It is fantastic to see news that Western Bulldogs stars will be wearing Indigenous boots hand-painted by Old Collegian Cooper Craig-Peters (SPC 2014-19) this weekend for their clash against Gold Coast. Cooper is currently playing for the Bulldogs’ VFL side and designed the College’s Indigenous tie when he was still a student at SPC. Well done Cooper! To read more, click here
  

  Andrew Leehane, pictured third from left.

• Good luck also to Old Collegian Andrew Leehane (SPC 1987-88, PY1989) who is competing in the four-day Australian Masters Rowing Championships, currently being held on Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree. Leehane is representing Victoria in three interstate events tomorrow. Good luck Andrew! To read more, click here
• Maurice Rioli Jr opens up on life in the Rioli family, alongside family member Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15) in this story here
  

  Maurice Rioli Jr with Daniel Rioli in readiness for the AFL Indigenous round. Photo: The Australian

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Tom McDonald (SPC 2010) who played his 200th AFL game recently.
  

  Well done also to Ryan Aikman.

  

  Jack Lalor in action. Photo: The Courier

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Jack Lalor (SPC 2012-17) on his selection in the Victorian Premier Cricket team of the season. To read more, click here
• Congratulations also to Ryan Aikman (SPC 2015-19, PY2020) who won the Victoria Premier Cricket Second IV Player of the Season 21/22 award. A fabulous achievement, well done Ryan!

• Well done to Old Collegian and cancer survivor Jim Waight (SPC 1985-90) and his Jimmy’s Licorice Allsorts Cycling Team (made up of a number of SPC Old Collegians) who have ended up raising just on $60,000 by their participation again in The Murray to Moyne Cycling Relay in early April – raising important funds for cancer research the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI). Well done to Jim and his team!

• Bad news for Old Boy Nick Rippon (SPC 2007-12) who is unlikely to play this Ballarat Football Netball League season, find out why, click here  and follows the absence of former captain Ash Simpson, who suffered a season-ending Achille’s injury.
• Coroner’s findings into the deaths of father and son lifesavers while saving the life of a tourist in rough seas near the Twelve Apostles on Easter Sunday three years ago, has recommended the nomination of fellow lifesaver and Old Collegian Phil Younis (SPC 1970-73), who survived the ordeal, for a bravery award for his heroic actions on this tragic day.
  In her findings, Victorian Deputy State Coroner Caitlin English stated “While Australian-born beach users have the dangers and risks of swimming in unpatrolled beaches continually drilled into them from a young age, many tourists or new arrivals have no such knowledge or appreciation of how treacherous our waters can be.
  “They subsequently not only risk their own lives when entering the water, but they risk the lives of their rescuers.
  “…. I acknowledge the impact of this tragedy on the Port Campbell community and responding emergency personnel. I commend each of the volunteers and responding emergency personnel for their heroic actions on this tragic day.” To read more, please click here
• Great to see Gerard Torpy’s (SPC 1961-65) involvement in Glenhuntly Athletics Club’s centenary celebrations, to read more, click here
  

  Family member Rose Hudson. Photo: The Courier

• The College was honoured to share the stories of two brothers and Old Collegians who were tragically killed in action on the same day in Belgium almost 105 years ago, in our recent Anzac Day Assembly. To hear more about Farnel and James Mardling, please click 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