Old Boys in the News

October 17, 2016

Our Old Boys have been busy in the news lately, including:

  • Congratulations to Victorian Bushrangers allrounder Matt Short (SPC 2008-13), pictured, who has been named captain of Australian Cricket development team to play senior South African team this week. To read more, go to this link– – This follows Matt’s recent stint vice-captain of the CA XI during the Matador Cup.

  • Peter Blenkiron (SPC 1974-77)- unveils his first and deeply personal photographic exhibition- “Putting The Pieces of Self Together One Moment- at a- Time” at Vox Populi Art Gallery, upstairs at Boah Organic at the Bridge Mall. There is free entry- to the exhibition, which will run until November 6. A raffle of one of Peter’s photographs is being held throughout the exhibition to- raise money- for suicide prevention. Tickets cost $50 each and all proceeds will go to the Ballarat’s- Survivors of- Suicide. To read more about Peter’s exhibition, click on this link

  • Past Central Highlands Football League team of the year member Daniel James (SPC 2003-08) is set to return to- Gordon- in- 2017. James, who was named at centre half forward in the 2013 all-star side, reckons he will be back- from- overseas travel and should be right to line up for the club next season. To read more, click on this link

  • Ballarat Swans onballer Tom Stapleton (SPC 2006-11) will play for Beaufort in the 2017 Central Highlands Football League season. Find out why, go to this link

  • Victorian Bushrangers rookie and former East Ballarat youngster Blake Thomson (SPC 2011-15) had a ripping day on Saturday, scoring his first Victorian Premier Cricket firsts century on Saturday. To read more, go to this link

  • Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Brown (SPC 2002-06 and- College Legend) will add red to his AFL colours, with news that he will continue his AFL career with St Kilda. Twin brother Mitchell (SPC 2002-06) is a free agent and is seeking a new home in Victoria. To read more, go to this link

  • Professional cyclist Pat Shaw (SPC 1998-2004) retired from the sport at the weekend, competing in his last professional cycling event, the time-honoured Melbourne to Warrnambool road classic. He played a mammoth role in his team, Avanti IsoWhey Sports, highlights with the team dominating Men’s A Grade – winning all three stages, the overall GC and Sprint King (courtesy of Neil Van Der Ploeg), and the Teams Classification. Watch the amazing video of Pat riding the final 6 laps of the Stage 3 Criterium, (which he also won) at this link– – Read about Pat’s amazing career at this link

  • Ryley Stuhldreier (SPC 2009-14) will return to Ballarat Football League reigning premier Bacchus Marsh in 2017 after two years with South Barwon in the Geelong league. For more, go to this link

  • Drew Petrie (SPC 1995-2000 and College Legend) could be set to continue his AFL career in the west. Drew, who was delisted from North Melbourne at the end of the 2016 season, has- flagged- an- interest to join the West Coast Eagles for next year. For more, click- on- this link

  • The Beaston brothers, Jason (SPC 1980-84), Luke and Troy (SPC 1983-88) and Dominic (SPC 1993-98), who operate long-standing Ballarat business Eureka Concrete, starred at the recent Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards, winning the Family Business Award. To read more about the family-run business, go to this link

  • Darren Rix (SPC 1981-86) is also featured- in the latest Ballarat Enterprise Magazine. To read more about what Darren has been up to since leaving SPC, go to this link

  • As womens football continues to gain momentum, Shaun O’Loughlin (SPC 1990-95) has been appointed as an assistant coach to the Melbourne women’s football coaching panel, alongside joint assistant Sam Radford. To read more, go to this link

  • Melbourne-based political staffer Luke O’Sullivan (SPC 1988-89) spent his first full day in Parliament last Thursday after finally being sworn in. Luke was meant to enter state parliament in July, but an unprecedented political spat prevented Luke from taking up his place until now. To read more, go to this link

  • Former North Ballarat Rebels and Essendon footballer Nick O’Brien (SPC 2006-2011) was acknowledged for his superb season in the SANFL, finishing second in the league’s best and fairest count. The- Woodville-West Torrens player finished five votes behind eventual- Magarey Medal winner- Zane Kirkwood from Sturt. However despite finishing as minor premiers, O’Brien’s Eagles lost to Sturt by 27 points in the grand final, 12.4 (76) to 7.7 (49). Nick won 15 of his 24 touches in the first half. –

  • Decorated Lake Wendouree senior coach Gavin Webb (current staff) confirmed he will stand down from the top job after five years at the helm. Gavin, current College Head of Sport, took the Lakers to the preliminary final this season. To read more, go to this link

  • Read this moving piece about Bungaree farming and sporting stalwart Brian Frawley (SPC 1947-49), aged 82, who died on September 24 at Nazareth House, Ballarat. Brian’s three sons also attend St Pat’s -“ Mick (SPC 1969-74), Tony (SPC 1971-76) and Danny (SPC 1976-79). To read the story, go to this link– – St Patrick’s College Foundation chair Dennis Foley (SPC 1966-72 and College Legend) also paid tribute to Brian, to read more, go to this link

  • Fon Ryan (SPC 1956-60) has been an avid rainwatcher in the Learmonth area for decades and his work is helping to model future flooding patterns. Read more at this link

  • Nick Rippon (SPC 2007-12) was again selected in the VFL team of the year. He was the only North Ballarat Roosters player to earn selection. It is the mighty effort as this is the third season in a row that Rippon, who has recommitted to the Roosters for another two years,- has been named in the team of the year.

  • In a controversial decision, Liam Hunter (SPC 2005-08) polled the most votes in the BFL Reserves Best and Fairest vote count, but was deemed ineligible for the award after being suspended as a result of being reported in a senior match. To read more about his bad luck, go to this link

  • Congratulations to Nick Suban (SPC 2003-08), and former North Ballarat Rebel, who helped Peel Thunder make history, winning its first Western Australian Football League grand final.- Peel defeated 2014 and 2015 premier Subiaco by 23 points.

  • A number of Old Collegians featured in Bacchus Marsh’s history-making first Ballarat Football League Grand Final triumph against Sunbury, 13.21 (99) to 5.14 (44). Congratulations to the following Old Collegians who took to the field for the Bacchus Marsh Cobras in the match against Sunbury: Alec Del Papa (SPC 2005-10), Hamish Coulton (SPC 2015), Tyson Shea (SPC 2001-06), Liam Mullen (SPC 2006-11), Lachlan Phyland (SPC 2007-12), Declan Phyland (SPC 2005-10), Simon Lafranchi (SPC 2001-06) and Kane White (SPC 2009-14). Tyson shared his elation at the grand final victory at this link– while Hamish spoke of his dream season at this link– – Leading up to grand final, Lachlan and Declan shared their aspirations at this link– , while- Alec- spoke about the tight-knit Cobra side at this link

  • Former Ballarat captain Nick Garner (SPC 2002-07) has announced he is returning to the club in 2016 after a two-year stint playing at Donald. Garner will be the assistant senior coach.