News

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Old Collegian Patrick Hogan (SPC 1944-46, PY1948) who passed away on 25 March 2024, aged 93 years. Patrick was the youngest of eight children to parents, John and Elizabeth Hogan.  After spending the first few years of his life in Brighton and overcoming a serious case…

The College recently reconnected with David Pearce (SPC 1989-94) who attended his 30-Year Reunion on the weekend and enjoyed the opportunity to tour the school, see so much that had changed and the level of investment in facilities for students and students, while at the same time see so many of the personalities from his…

Congratulations to Old Collegian Maurice Sheahan (SPC 1951-55) who recently celebrated an Associate Life Membership Award for the St Augustine’s Coolangatta/Tugan Conference. Maurice joined the SVDP while a boarder at SPC, aged 16 years old, in 1953. As young boys, the Vinnies visits included trips to the local hospitals and nursing homes, taking sweets and…

We are saddened to learn of the passing of William Nicholas (Nick) Coffey (SPC 1968-70, PY1972), who passed away on 31 October 2023. Nick was the younger brother of John (SPC 1965-69), boarders from Warracknabeal, and we extend our condolences to John and his extended family. Nick started at SPC in Form 2 and left…

We were notified of the passing of Old Collegian Michael (Mick) Joseph Griffin (SPC 1952-53) back on 1 July 2021. Michael was a day student who was at SPC for two years, completing sub-intermediate B class, along with his brother Peter (SPC 1949). We extend our condolences to Michael’s family, including his wife Carmel, children…

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joseph Francis (Frank) Hutchinson (SPC 1945-47, PY1948) on 16 March 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday on 28 March. Frank’s mother died when he was 13; and a few months later, he completed Grade 8 at the Landsborough public school. Frank initially boarded at St…

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Old Boy Peter Golla (SPC 1979-81) on 4 April 2024. Peter was well known in the music scene, especially for his Neil Diamond tribute show which he toured Australia with. He also sung a number of times on “Good Morning Australia” with Bert Newton. Peter’s mother…

This year marks 130 years of athletics at St Patrick’s College. So, how did athletics begin? In 1893, Br Ryan, despite his disappointment that the College couldn’t hold an athletics competition, vowed to change this. His unwavering determination led to the first athletics carnival in 1894 at Eastern Oval—the competition, though not fiercely competitive, with…

Former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks AC recently launched a biography of Old Collegian John James Sheehan (SPC 1925-1932), focusing on his special connection to the Ballarat community, education, politics, and the Catholic faith. Sheehan’s son Mark Sheehan (SPC 1969-1977), wrote the book, which began as a research project and evolved into a biography acknowledging his…