Old Boys in the News – December 2020

December 8, 2020

Our Old Boys have been busy, including:

Old Collegian Don Grant recently received an OA for his services to surveying. Photo courtesy of Western Advocate

  • Congratulations to Don Grant (SPC1943-50, PY1951) who was presented with his Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to surveying recently at an investiture ceremony in Sydney, which had been postponed earlier in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Don, who lives in Bathurst, was appointed an AO for his role in establishing Australia’s first combined pubic sector mapping agency in 1992. Don served as chairman of PSMA Australia until 2000 and during that tenure, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1994. Don featured in our popular “Where are they now” profile, which can be read here. To read more about Don’s AO, click here
  • Congratulations to Old Boy and current staff member Tom Ferguson (SPC 1995-2000) and wife Emma, and excited kids Xander and Freya, who are expecting another addition to their family, due in June next year. Congratulations to the Ferguson family!
  • Listen to the latest On The Pine Podcast by Old Boy Ollie Nash (SPC 2011-16) interviewing fellow Old Boy and Carlton AFL footballer Tom Williamson (SPC 2003-08) here
  • Congratulations to Old Boy and SPC Rowing director Brendan Scott (SPC 1983-88) on his recent engagement.
  • We heard Old Boy Dane Bergman (SPC 1999-2004) is busying ocean kayaking around north Queensland at the moment.
  • We say goodbye at the end of this school year to Old Boy Dean O’Brien (SPC 2013-18), who has been working part-time at the College as a learning support officer. Next year, Dean is moving into the second year of a Bachelor degree of International Business at RMIT University in Melbourne, in the hope of eventually moving into a career in finance/economics. Dean is also hoping to relocate to Melbourne fully next year after ‘commuting’ and working online for much of this year. We wish you all the best Dean!

  • Hugh Macdonald is finishing his year as the College’s Faith In Action Trainee.

    We also send our best wishes to Hugh Macdonald (SPC 2014-19) who has been working as the College’s Faith In Action Trainee this year. Hugh, 19, plans to spread his wings and travel the east coast of Australia and catch up with a droving cousin in NT. Who know Hugh may become a drover! Hugh, a guitarist, also has aspirations of moving to Melbourne and maybe studying to become a luthier or instrument maker. It appears Hugh would be more than capable after making a guitar in his Year 12 Wood class. In any case, Hugh is keen to return to SPC to help the incoming Faith in Action Trainee settle into the role in 2021. All the very best Hugh and we look forward to hearing about your travels!

  • Cooper Andrews (SPC 2014-19) was our HaPe Trainee this year.

    We also wish Cooper Andrews (SPC 2014-19) all the best. Cooper has been working at the College this year as the HaPe Trainee. Cooper said he has enjoyed the transition from a Year 12 student in 2019 to a member of staff in 2020, and enjoyed getting involved in the sporting activities with the students, particularly the new afternoon activities, introduced after two bouts of online learning. Cooper is now looking forward to finding some part-time work next year and helping his family, as well as playing football with Learmonth next season.

  • Congratulations also to College Trainee Riley Polkinghorne (SPC 2014-19) who will be starting a landscaping apprenticeship in the new year with past parent and local landscaper Paul Nicholls. Riley has been working with the College’s maintenance team this year and obviously enjoyed mowing the College’s expansive lawn area. We wish Riley all the best!
  • Old Boy Ryan Aikman (SPC 2015-19, PY2020) was on the scene as a fellow cricketer collapsed on the ground and had to be taken to hospital in one of last weekend’s Ballarat Cricket Association first grade matches. To read more, click here
  • The stakes looked set to be even higher than normal for our aspiring AFL footballers, including Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2021) and Nick Stevens (SPC 2015-18, PY2019) in the AFL Draft due to the effects on the AFL due to COVID. To read more, click here Fortunately for both Harry and Nick, they were successful and have been drafted to AFL clubs. Well done guys!

    Old Boy Jon Kanoa. Photo: The Courier

  • Old Collegian Jon Kanoa (SPC 1995-2000), who is co-chair of the Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG), has voiced his support for Ballarat’s changing attitudes to how January 26 is marked and has praised council for its leadership on the issue in this story here
  • Old Collegian Justin Davey (SPC 1990-95) hands over the reins as chairperson of the Ballarat Football Umpires Association, it is announced in this story here
  • Fantastic to see Old Collegian and former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks AC (SPC 1968-71) will be leading community consultations in Ballarat to help shape a major emergency department overhaul in his hometown as part of a $541.6 million Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital redevelopment. To read more, click here

    Brian Maher has been working hard for the community. Photo: Lachlan Bence

  • Old Collegian and president of the Dean Recreation Reserve Committee, Brian Maher (SPC 1968-70. PY1972), shows how the region’s small but active community group can still make a contribution to the betterment of society despite the inconveniences of COVID in this story here
  • Wonderful to see Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) raising the profile of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute as an ambassador for the annual Cycle Classic, which will also include a half marathon and virtual bike ride on the nationals course, to the February 21 program. The Spud100, a 160km endurance ride remains a key fixture on the program and is set for its second start in memory of long-time Classic ambassador, AFL great and Old Collegian Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79, PY1981). To read more, click here

    Sam and Elise Rowe in front of their outside dining area at Ballarat’s Hydrant Food Hall. Photo: Adam Trafford

  • Wonderful to see Hydrant Food Hall’s Sam Rowe (SPC 1995-98) and wife Elise hard at work with their crew setting up a new outdoor dining space on McKenzie Street in a great new addition to Ballarat’s CBD food scene. To read more, click here

    Congratulations to Tom Sullivan. Photo: Moorabool Online

  • Congratulations to Old Collegian and past parent Tom Sullivan (SPC 1965-68, PY1970) who has been elected as mayor of the Moorabool Shire for 2020-21. The Millbrook farmer, licensed surveyor and father of six has been a West Moorabool councillor for 24 years and previously led the council for two back-to-back terms from 1998-2000. Congratulations Tom! To read more, click here and here

    New Saint Brad Crouch. Photo: Jack Brookes

  • AFL footballer Brad Crouch (SPC 2006-11) talks in depth about his move from Adelaide to St Kilda, one of the big stories of the recent AFL trade period. Brad will play alongside fellow Old Boy Dan Butler (SPC 2009-14) and the new Saints recruit talks about the importance of his home region to his decision to move clubs. To read more, click here
  • Great to see Ballarat accommodation operators including Tim Canny (SPC 1995-2000), at Sovereign Park Motor inn, is feeling more positive with COVID restrictions easing, see this story here
  • Fantastic to see our Old Boys using their talents in many different ways including Paul Brick (SPC 1995-99, PY2000) who has designed a new football jumper for the Redan club’s 150th anniversary next year. Paul is a past player and current board member at Redan. Check out Paul’s design in this story here
  • Red Lion Hotel owner David Canny (SPC 1980-85), who is the state president of the Australian Hotels Association, has been busy speaking at forums on ways that Ballarat’s tourism industry can adapt to the changing landscapes in a COVID-normal world. To read more, click here
  • Old Collegian Blake Thomson (SPC 2011-15) says his short season with the Ballarat Cricket Association has served as ideal preparation for his forthcoming Victoria Premier campaign and he hasn’t ruled out returning to the Hawks later in the season. Blake was one of several local cricketers who started the cricket season playing with Ballarat cricket teams while Melbourne was in lockdown and the premier cricket season delayed. To read more about Blake’s plans, click here and here
  • Meanwhile, fellow Old Boy Jack Riding (SPC 2013-18) has also farewelled the Ballarat Cricket Association to return to Geelong in the Victoria premier ranks. He wasted no time, opening the batting and scoring 82 not out. To read more, click here  and here
  • Former boarder Martin Gleeson’s (SPC 2012) AFL career is temporarily on hold after Essendon delisted the defender with intentions to re-select him in the rookie draft, check out more in this story here

    Danny Frawley.

    The design vision for the new Danny Frawley Centre for Health & Wellbeing at RSEA Park, Moorabbin.

  • We are extremely proud to see that one of our most esteemed Old Collegians will be honoured in such a fitting way with the creation of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health & Wellbeing at RSEA Park, Moorabbin. Danny (SPC 1976-79) was a much-loved member of our community. To read more about this great initiative, click here and here
  • Great to see Old Boys Stephen Sheehan (SPC 1984-88, PY1989) and Adam Liversage (SPC 1990-95) involved in the new Ballarat Football League club Woady Yaloak Warriors, read more in this story here
  • Scott Carlin (SPC 2017-18) is leaving Lake Wendouree to play closer to home with Nirranda in the Warrnambool and District Football League next season. To read more, click here
  • In district footy news, Brendan Howard (SPC 2001-06) and Mitch Jenkins (SPC 2001-06) will be coaching the Beaufort Crows next season and have been busy recruiting, with fellow Old Boy Richard Zelencich (SPC 2007-12) set to join the team along with James Vanderkley (SPC 2008-13) and Nathan Hucker (SPC 2012-16). To read more, click here  and here and here

    Richard Zelencich. Photo: The Courier

  • Tall defender Oscar McDonald (SPC 2011-13) has been delisted from Melbourne after six seasons and 81 games for the club. Oscar, 24, was a key part of Melbourne’s defence during the barnstorming run to the 2018 preliminary final. He played 60 games across the 2016-18 seasons but just 19 matches since. To read more, click here
  • Great to hear Blake Breadsell (SPC 2012-17) has been busy working on border security for the last six months in Darwin. Great work Blake!
  • Fantastic to see Old Boys like Matthew Edwards (SPC 1999-2004) and his business supporting community fundraisers, which are being held in new ways due to COVID-19 including the virtual Run for a Cause, which raises much-needed funds for childhood literacy. To read more, click here

    Andrew Leehane, second from left. Photo: Adam Trafford

  • Great to see Old Boy Andrew Leehane (SPC 1987-88, PY1989) is an avid rower with the Ballarat City Rowing Club, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, see this story here, alongside current Year 12 student Will Gilbert.
  • Talk about a dream job for Anthony Schuurs (SPC 2008-13), who is the young gun sommelier at Ballarat’s new restaurant, Ragazzone in Mair St. And just in case you are not sure what Anthony does, a sommelier is, by definition, “a specialist wine waiter/wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional who specialises in all facets of beverage service.” Great work Anthony!
  • Wendouree cricket Matt Begbie (SPC 2006-11) was nursing a dislocated finger after round three clash in the Ballarat Cricket Association season. Ouch!
  • Congratulations to former staff member Terry Blizzard, who as principal of CBC St Kilda, has successfully overseen the school’s change to a co-educational college and consequential name change to St Mary’s College Melbourne, with Presentation campus also to become an additional campus for the new school. Well done Terry!
  • Well done to Ryan McKew (SPC 2011-16) who have recommitted to coach the Ballarat Miners youth basketballers for the 2021 season in this story here

    Tom Frawley, right, with his father Tony.

  • Great to see Old Collegian Tom Frawley (SPC 2008) featured on the front page of Ballarat’s The Courier newspaper recently talking about his own battles with mental health as he tries to raise funds for One In Five, the charity his uncle, the late Danny Frawley was so passionate about. Well done Tom and best of luck with your campaign! To find out more, click here and here

    The amazing restoration of the Baptist Church in Ballarat by Old Collegian Michael Whitehead.

  • Michael Whitehead (SPC 1968-71) shares the wonderful story of his remarkable restoration of Ballarat’s former Baptist Church, which was featured on the TV program Restoration Australia recently. To read more, click here
  • There is some uncertainty if Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) will make it back to the Ballarat Miners line-up if NBL season kicks back into gear in April or May, potentially creating a crossover with the top tier. Sam currently has a contract with Melbourne United. To read more, click here
  • Great to see Chris Jones (SPC 1988-93) and John Bourke (SPC 1967-69, PY1972) rolling out the big-screen action with Ballarat’s new drive-in theatre at the Ballarat Showgrounds in this story here
    Showbiz has also reopened its theatre doors in December with loads of Hollywood blockbusters in store since closing at the end of July. To read, click here

  • Old Boy Bob Heaney. Photo: Adam Trafford

    Fantastic to see police officer and Old Boy Bob Heaney (SPC 1987-89) named as the Ballarat region’s new Inspector. The division’s new Investigation and Response Inspector has been a police officer for 30 years, predominantly working in Melbourne’s western suburbs. To read more about Bob’s career, click here

  • Great to see Old Boy Jake Neade (SPC 2010-12) in the Tiwi Bombers side for the Round six clash with the Wanderers at TIO Stadium recently. To read more, click here
  • Old Collegian Ben Simpson (SPC 2010-15) is leaving North Ballarat to join fellow Old Boys and former Rebels teammates Jackson Carrick (SPC 2012-15) and Ben Lusby (SPC 2010-15) at South Barwon in the Geelong league in 2021. To read more, click here and here
  • Jack Lalor (SPC 2012-17) was on fire for East Ballarat in the one day clash against Golden Point early in the season, click here
  • Listen to 2019 premiership footy coach Matt James (SPC 2005-10) as he reflects on the unusual year that was and his hopeful plans for Waubra in season 2021 in this podcast here
    If you have any news on our Old Collegians, please contact the College’s Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston on (03) 5322 4442 or by email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au