Old Boys in the News – December 2024

Our Old Collegians have been in the spotlight, including:

Lachie Constable. Photo The Courier

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Lachie Constable (SPC 2016-20, PY2021) for re-writing the record books in an amazing innings with the Lismore Oddfellows at the weekend with the 21-year-old opener smashing 233no off just 106 balls against Carngham in the Grenville Cricket Association, including 14 boundaries and 21 sixes. The innings is the biggest ever by a Lismore Oddfellows batter and he is only the second ever player in club history to reach 200, the other being a batsman almost 100 years ago. Read more on Lachie’s performance that will live long in the minds of those who saw it by clicking here
• Well done to Isaac Muller (SPC 2013-18) who was on air for the first time this week for ABC News.  Isaac is a journalist with the ABC. Well done Isaac!

Jake Ainley. Photo Lachlan Bence

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  Andrew Madden.

  Fantastic to see Ballarat business The Turret Café take centre stage at the recent Golden Plate Gala Awards, taking out the best licensed café in the region. The café, in Sturt St, is owned by Old Boys, LeRoy Hand (SPC 1993-98), wife Belinda and Jake Ainley (SPC 2008-13). To read more, click here

• A shout-out to Declan Magri (SPC 2014-19) who is a manager of the new Ballarat Ninjas business, which is designed to inspire and challenge fitness enthusiasts from young children to adults in an exhilarating Ninja Warrior obstacle course experience.
• Congratulations to Andrew Madden (SPC 1985-86) on his recent life membership honour with the Redan Football Netball Club.
• Well done to Old Collegian Brodie Henderson (SPC 2018-23) who shaved his head to help raise funds for the Grampians Health Cancer Wellness Centre. Brodie joined other family members for the head shave in memory of his pa, Mike Chennell, who volunteered as a driver for the Cancer Wellness Centre and sadly passed away from cancer. You can still donate to Brodie’s great cause at this link here
• Great to see Darley young gun Brady Wright (SPC 2017-22) has earnt a VFL contract for season 2025, signing on with Werribee. Port has also announced former GWV Rebels player, delisted St Kilda player James Van Es (SPC 2017-22) will also line up with Port Melbourne. To read more, click here
  

  Brad Crouch.

• Congratulations to Brad Crouch (SPC 2006-2011) on an outstanding AFL career! Brad has announced his retirement from professional football after 161 games with Adelaide and St Kilda. Despite the premature end to his career due to chronic knee issues, Brad’s achievements in the sport are remarkable. During his time at St Patrick’s College, Brad’s talent was evident, and we’re proud to have played a part in his journey to AFL success. We wish Brad all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for being an inspiring example to our students of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.
• Congratulations to Ola Tauelangi (SPC 2016-17) who has been picked to play in the 2025 Super Rugby Season with Moana Pasifika. Ola was guest speaker at our College rugby presentations last year. Good luck Ola, we’ll be watching you!
  

  Ola Tauelangi.

• Former boarder Peter McFarlane (SPC 1984-87) has reached a mighty milestone, notching up 300 games of cricket recently with Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club. Peter, aged 55, is still opening the bowling in the Third XI team which is back in form having won five of its first six games of the season. The Ballarat-Redan cricket club is a family affair for the McFarlane family, to read more, click here
  

  Peter McFarlane, pictured right, has reached a mighty milestone.

• In the Ballarat FL, Liam Hepworth (SPC  2006-11) is returning to Lake Wendouree next season after a stint in Cairns, read more here. Mitch Steen (SPC 2015-16) is on his way to Hepburn after missing out on selection in Daylesford’s premiership team this season, read more here while Jordan Grant (SPC 2012-17) is leaving Hepburn to go to Redan, Jackson Carrick (SPC 2012-15) is going to South Barwon. Hepburn legend Andy McKay (SPC 1995-2000) has announced his retirement after celebrating a mighty 300 senior game milestone earlier this season. Ballarat Swans made their first off-season signing with the recruiting of Tex Mitchell (SPC 2019-21), read more here Tom Ford (SPC 2017-20, PY2022) is leaving Waubra in the Central Highlands FL to join North Ballarat in the Ballarat FNL, read more, click here while East Point premiership reserves captain Drew Murphy (SPC 2004-09) – this year’s BFNL reserves best and fairest – and teammate Chris Carson (SPC 2006-11) are leaving the league to join Dunnstown in the Central Highlands, read more here
  

  Mitch Steen. Photo Adam Trafford

• Congratulations to Austin Reinehr (SPC 2018-21) on being invited to the National Training Centre for Men’s rowing in Canberra. Austin is now vying for selection at the Senior World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Great to see James Doherty (SPC 2015-20) pivotal with the ball recently after returning to his former club Ballarat-Redan as a marquee player in the BCA twenty20 competition. James, who is a Victoria Premier Cricket 1^st XI top order batsman with Richmond, took 3-20 off his four overs and made an unbeaten 56, featuring six fours. Fellow Old Boy Will Lalor (SPC 2018-23) is also scoring high, recording 100no (8 fours and 8 sixes) in one of Bacchus Marsh’s recent matches. To read more, click here
• Andrew Milroy (SPC 2011-16) is returning to Bungaree next season in the Central Highlands FL, while Learmonth’s Luke Dunne (SPC 1987-92) is moving to Buninyong, where Joel Ottavi (SPC 2008-12, PY2013) will be a playing coach. Lakers’ Shaun Finlayson (SPC 2000-02) is heading to Clunes, Dylan Bulluss (SPC 2015-16, PY2017) is heading to Waubra, Chris Carson (SPC 2006-11) to East Point, Drew Murphy (SPC 2004-09) to Dunnstown and Khyle Forde (SPC 2011-16) is returning to the Towners. Experienced defender Nick Martin (SPC 2011-16) is returning to Learmonth after a year off, read here
  Liam Phillips (SPC 2013-18) is returning home to Skipton and will play with his brother Declan (SPC 2015-20), who made an immediate impact after returning to the Emus last season. Skipton has also signed Luke Delahey (SPC 2009-14) from Diggers Rest and are hoping to get Sam Willian (SPC 2008-13) back after more than a year away from the game, read more here
  

  Shane McInerney was inducted at a Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club dinner recently.

• Congratulations to Shane McInerney (SPC 1983-88), who was inducted at a Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club dinner recently for his contribution to AFL umpiring. Shane was made an associate in the prestigious honours. Shane, who has umpired in the Ballarat Football League, also notched up 502 VFL/AFL games from 1994 to 2019, including the 2004 and 2007 grand finals.
• New state rental reforms have been introduced following the tragic death of Old Collegian Simon Scarff (SPC 1981-86, PY1987) in 2022. Simon, aged 52, died when a fire started in his rental property in Wendouree and he could not leave. Simon’s grief-stricken family’s campaigning to ensure Simon’s death was not in vain, will now result in legislation changes coming into effect in 2025. To read more, click here
  

  Jack, Sam and Matt Romeril will play together at East Point next season.

• Fantastic to see brothers Jack (SPC 2007-12), Sam (SPC 2009-14) and Matt Romeril (SPC 2013-17, PY2018) are reuniting in the Ballarat FNL where their senior careers began, at East Point next season. It will be the first time they have been in senior ranks together at East Point, where they all played juniors. They have played together at Skipton in the Central Highlands FL in 2022. To read more about the brothers’ big return, click here
• Great to see Leigh Searle (SPC 1994-99) volunteering at a recent Cops N Kids camp in Ballarat, read here
• Hundreds of runners hit the track around Lake Wendouree in Ballarat for Peach’s Run in memory of James Petrie (SPC 2001-06) in early November. The run raises funds for the James Petrie Fund, which funds mental health support in Ballarat. James sadly passed away aged 33 in 2022 after struggling with his mental health. To read more, click here
  

  Ash George.

• Veteran spinner Ash George (SPC 1999-2004) lined up for his 200^th First XI game for Mount Clear Cricket Club in early November, and was described as the “heart and soul” and the “glue that held the club together”. Well done Ash! To read more, click here
• Great to see Damian Faulkner’s (SPC 1987-91, PY1992) involvement in the Ballarat Light Car Club, which has found a new home after being forced to leave its current Ballarat Airport site, read more here
• Paul Tatchell (SPC 1974, PY1979) has joined others concerned about the stonewalling of a proposed rail trail south-east of Ballarat, the West Moorabool rail trail, which has remained in limbo for three years, click here to read more
• Mick Nolan (SPC 2006-11) was on fire for Wendouree in their win against Naps-Sebas early in the season, read more here

If you have any news on our Old Collegians, please contact Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston via email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au