News
Old Collegians
Michael Collins (SPC 1962-70)
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Michael Collins (SPC 1962-70) on 12 March 2024. Michael, known to some of his school mates as “Fred”, passed away peacefully at home in Gembrook, after a battle with MND. Michael was a boarder from Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea. He started his…
Where are they now – Patrick Duffy (SPC 1989-94)
The College recently reconnected with Patrick Duffy (SPC 1989-94) who has travelled extensively with his successful career in the mining industry and believes his time as a boarder gave him the stepping stones required for the life he has today. Where has life taken you since leaving SPC? Since leaving St Pat’s, I have…
Where are they now – Alfonso Calero (SPC 1981-83, PY1984)
The College recently reconnected with Old Collegian Alfonso Calero (SPC 1981-83, PY1984) who is an award-winning photographer with over 20 years’ commercial photography experience. Alfonso was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to Australia when he was 15, becoming a boarder at SPC. Alfonso has made a successful career from his love of…
Old Collegians keeping us safe from fires
Ballarat’s bushfire safety is in good hands under the guidance of two Old Collegians, Sam Bleakley (SPC 1995-97, PY1998) and Ben Townsend (SPC 1996-2001).
Where are they now – Aaron Noonan (SPC 1994-99)
The College recently reconnected with Old Collegian Aaron Noonan (SPC 1994-99) who has forged a very successful career in motorsport media and travelled the globe covering some of the most popular sporting events around the world. Where has life taken you since leaving SPC? I’ve been based in Melbourne since I finished at…
Desmond Joseph (Joe) Delaney AO (SPC 1943-44)
We are saddened to learn of the passing of College SPC Legend Desmond Joseph (Joe) Delaney AO (SPC 1943-44) on 3 February 2024, aged 97 years. Better known as Joe, a Funeral was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Deepdene on 12 February. Joe was honoured for his work as a…
John Joseph Bongiorno (SPC 1948-57)
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian John Joseph Bongiorno (SPC 1948-57) who passed away on 29 November 2023. John was the loved husband of Jo (dec) and father and father-in-law of John, Michele (dec), Jane, Elizabeth and Bruce, Caroline and Paul and grandfather to nine. His funeral was held at…
Gerard (Gerry) Hand (SPC 1954-58, PY1960)
We are saddened at the passing of Old Collegian Gerard (Gerry) Hand (SPC 1954-58, PY1960) who passed away on 15 November 2023, aged, 82 years. A state funeral service was held for the former Labor politician in Melbourne at St Ignatius Church at Richmond on 29 November. The former minister, better known as Gerry, was…
Paddys Four Season Lunch turns 50
The Paddys Four Seasons (Christmas) Lunch was the 50th time SPC Old Collegians had convened at The Emerald Hotel, South Melbourne last Friday. The lunch is on the first Friday of each season. Forty-seven Paddys attended, some travelling from Apollo Bay, Ocean Grove, Castlemaine, Canberra, Robinvale and Ballarat. There were 45 apologies. It is a hectic…
Family visit to make historical connections
Brian Ward and his son, Kevin Ward, toured the College this week to make a historical connection with his late father, Dowling Gilbert Ward, who was born in 1900. Brian’s father was a student at the College between 1916 and 1917. From 1918 to 1920, he joined the Redemptorist Monastery of Our Lady of Perpetual…
