Old Boys in the News – August 2022

Old Collegian and newly-inducted SPC Legend Michael Kearney, left, with Phil Hoey and their recently published book “Coley’s Champs”.

Our Old Boys have been busy, including:

• Fabulous to see SPC OCA Legend and Bombers fan Michael Kearney (SPC 1962-67), along with great mate Phil Hoey, use their encyclopedic knowledge of the Essendon Football Club for good by producing a book telling the little-known story of an VFL/AFL legend John Coleman. To read more and find out how you can get your own copy, click here
• Melbourne forward Tom McDonald (SPC 2010) talks about why he loved school footy while at SPC in the lead-up to the Herald Sun Shield at Box Hill earlier this week. To read more, click here
• Great to see local publican and Old Collegian Dan Cronin (SPC 1986-90, PY1991) becoming a TV star with his appearance on the TV show Hunted recently! Listen to Dan talk about the experience of being on reality TV on local radio by clicking here
  

  Matt James. Photo: The Courier

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  Chris Banwell. Photo: The Courier

  Waubra coach Matt James (SPC 2005-10) has announced he will stand down as coach at the end of this Central Highlands FL season, following on from the recent announcement by Newlyn coach Chris Banwell (SPC 1999-2004) that he will do the same, to read more, click here and here

• Fantastic news for Saints footballer Sam Butler (SPC 2016-21) who has signed a new two-year deal with St Kilda in the AFL. To read more, click here
• Old Collegian Jacob Hopper’s (SPC 2014-15) name is in the spotlight with speculation that the Greater Western Sydney star midfielder may look to move next year when he becomes a free agent. Click here to find out which AFL teams may be in the hunt for our Old Collegian!
• Great to see Old Collegian Aaron Cadman (SPC 2016-20, PY2021) featuring in the AFL U18 national championships recently, read more in this story here
• Great to see Mitch McGrath (SPC 2013-18) and the Ballarat Swans supporting and fundraising for the 4EK Foundation, which is built on the legacy of his late sister Emma-Kate McGrath, who sadly passed away five years ago after contracting the deadly bacterial meningococcal disease. To read more and see how you can help, click here
• Great to see Old Collegian and Moorabool mayor Tom Sullivan (SPC 1965-68, PY1970) was involved in the launch of a new book, entitled Moorabool’s Storm Recovery Journey, which chronicles how resident lived through horror storms which swept through the Moorabool and Hepburn shires a year ago. To read more, click here
  

  Well done to Old Collegian Liam Wright receiving a Spirit of CFA gong. Photo: The Courier

• Wonderful effort by Old Collegian Liam Wright (SPC 2016-21) who was received a Spirit of CFA gong after showing exemplary dedication to his volunteer fire brigade. To read more, click here
  

  Brian Mullane. Photo: The Courier

• Ballan farmers and Old Collegian Brian Mullane (SPC 1955, PY1958) and his wife Ronnie, along with fellow Newlyn farmer Chris Stephens (SPC 1994-99) were among the large throng of farmers and tractors participating in a recent protest in Ballarat, where a large number of tractors lined Lydiard Street to protest against AusNet’s Western Renewables Link project, which aims to build high-voltage overhead transmission line from near Ararat to Sydenham, using prime agricultural land. To read more, click here
  

  Tom Azarnikow.

• Read all about ‘Tommy A’, better known as Old Boy Tom Azarnikow (SPC 2007-2012), in his move into the world of professional wrestling, as he fulfils a childhood dream in this story here
• Wonderful to see one of Old Collegian Josh Muir’s (SPC 2004-07, PY2009) artworks was on display in Ballarat during NAIDOC Week, providing the opportunity for the wider community to remember and enjoy Josh’s work. Josh sadly passed away earlier this year. To read more, click here
• Great to see Tim Canny (SPC 1995-2000) welcoming a draft plan for a substantial makeover of the Marty Busch Reserve, read more here
• Old Collegian Mick Nolan (SPC 2006-11) talks about his role in Gordon’s come-from-behind Central Highlands FL win over Springbank recently in this story and video here
• Take a look at this fantastic read with Old Collegian Tom Downie (SPC 2010-11) as he talks about overcoming mental health issues to become a leader for the future, click here
• In more footy news, Old Collegian and Carlton defender Tom Williamson (SPC 2012-16) has called time on his AFL career, but has since signed with North Melbourne’s VFL side. To read more, click here and here
• We are wishing Old Collegian Adam Azzopardi (SPC 2016-21) all the best after a horror injury on the footy field in recent weeks, to read more, click here
• Liam Brady (SPC 1997-2002) is stepping down as playing coach of Buninyong to return to the Red Caps after three seasons away, while taking on a development coach role. To read more, click here
  

  Paul Kochskamper.

• Great to see Old Collegian Paul Kochskamper (SPC 1996-2001) encouraging the Ballarat Indigenous community to take up COVID-19 preventative measures in his role as a local Indigenous health leader. To read more, click here
• Fantastic to see Old Collegian Daniel Barrett (SPC 1985-90) and his team at Harrybilt Engineering supporting a campaign against sexual assault in aged care. To read more about this great initiative, 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