Old Collegian Gerard Watson (SPC 1957-1964, PY1966) passed away on 25 January 2025 in hospital in Melbourne.
Gerard and his brother Peter attended SPC as day students from Creswick. Gerard began early, in SPC’s junior classroom and completed eight years of study, completing Form 4 in 1964.
Gerard was a champion schoolboy distance runner during his time at SPC. Gerard showed his talent early winning the Under 13 100 Yards division championship in 1959.
He finished second in the Under 14 Open Cross Country in 1960, behind B Doherty, in the 2.2-mile course on the Lake Wendouree course.
He bettered this a year later and was crowned the SPC Under 15 Cross Country champion, after winning the College mile and finishing tenth in the Ballarat Public Schools’ Cross Country after finishing in a time of 22 minutes, 21 seconds.
He continued to dominate in 1962 and was awarded Under 16 Cross Country Champion. He ran the 3.6-mile distance in 22 minutes and 47 seconds and was a proud member of the SPC Athletics Team. Gerard was also a member of the non-commissioned officers at SPC.
In later life, Gerard had been a well-respected resident of Numurkah, in northern Victoria, for the past 20 years and was an active and senior member of the Numurkah RSL.
Gerard was also active in the local parish and was a member of St John the Baptist Catholic Parish finance committee for several years, and committee chair for at least three years.
Gerard’s funeral was held in Numurkah on 3 February 2025.
Gerard often spoke of his time at SPC and we extend our condolences to Gerard’s partner Sandra and their extended family.
Thanks to fellow Numurkah resident & friend Patrick Kempton (SPC 1961-64) for his help with this tribute
