Kierce O’Loughlin (SPC 1947-53)

Old Collegian and former College Board chair Kierce O’Loughlin.

Kierce O’Loughlin, pictured as chair of the SPC College Board, with committee members in 1996.

We extend our deepest condolences to the extended family of Old Collegian and former College Board chair Kierce O’Loughlin (SPC 1947-53), who passed away on November 7, 2021.
Born as Francis Kierce O’Loughlin, but better known to all that knew him as Kierce, the former lawyer was fondly remembered on his passing as a “true gentleman and trusted colleague”.
A Mass of Thanksgiving was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat on November 15.
Kierce attended St Patrick’s College as a boarder. The College Annuals show Kierce was an active student and enjoyed sport. He recorded successes in junior athletics and continued his love of athletics through to matric, making the SPC Athletics Team in 1953. He was part of the Treacy House premiership team in the 1947 St Rochs competition and also played cricket, becoming a member of the McCarthy House senior park cricket premiership team in 1951.
On completing his matriculation at SPC, Kierce received a Commonwealth scholarship to study law, was one of only 17 to receive his Bachelor of Laws on graduation and went on to become a well-known and well-respected lawyer.
In a moving tribute from the current and past directors and staff of Baird and McGregor, “Kierce is remembered as a lawyer and friend to many over a long period of time in Ballarat and Euroa and will be remembered as a true gentleman and trusted colleague”.
Kierce practised in north east part of the state of Euroa before moving to Ballarat in the early 1980s. He formed the Sutton and O’Loughlin practice, in Dawson St, with Michael Sutton and later amalgamated the practice with Baird and McGregor in the mid 90s, where he continued to work for many years until his retirement in the mid 2010s.
He was remembered by former business partner Richard Francis as a true gentleman who “never swore, ‘damn’ was the worst word said and he hardly drank .. he like a glass of wine, but only one”.
Kierce and his wife Rosemary (dec) welcomed five children, Fiona, Therese, Stephen (SPC 1978-81), Catherine and Alison.
Kierce was a generous donor to St Patrick’s College Foundation and a committee member on the College Board from 1991 through to 1997. During this time, he acted as the chair between 1996-97, deputy chairman between 1993-95 and was on numerous sub committees including the executive and policy committee. In the 1997 College Annual during his tenure as College Board chair, Kierce was described as providing “wise leadership and guidance as chairman” and that “Kierce possesses a deep appreciation of the values and traditions of this College, and this encouraged members to work for the welfare of the College, particularly in the long term”.

Kierce was also involved in other community roles, including the St Columbas Parish.

Kierce O’Loughlin, pictured in his matriculation class photograph in the 1953 College Annual.

Kierce O’Loughlin, pictured in the Senior Park Cricket Competition premiership team for McCarthy House, in 1951.

Kierce O’Loughlin, pictured in the 1953 SPC Athletic Team photograph.

As a youngster, Kierce O’Loughlin was a member of the Treacy House premiership team in the St Rochs football competition in 1947.