Old Boys in the News – February 2020

Our Old Collegians have been busy, including:

Old Collegian Sean Duggan, kneeling second from left, with other emergency service personnel involved in this Saturday’s Walking Off The War Within event at St Patrick’s College.

• Great to hear Old Boy Sean Duggan (1986-91) promoting Saturday’s Walking Off The War Within event in Ballarat as well as encouraging more discussion on mental health among his peers, family and the wider community. The event was formed in honour of fellow Old Collegian Nathan Shanahan (SPC 1988-93) who took his own life after battling PSTD and depression. To read more, click here and click here and to register for the event, click here
• Thankfully Victorian cricketer and Old Boy Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) was all right and batted on at the Gabba earlier this week after he was floored by a nasty bounce by Billy Stanlake in the Sheffield Shield. The nasty bounce hit Matt near the neck. After consulting the medics, Matt continued batting and reached 98, falling just two runs short of a maiden milestone. To see the nasty bouncer that hit Matt, click here
• Brother Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) hopes to play on with Melbourne United, but he will sit on the sidelines through the NBL playoffs after suffering a rib injury recently. Sam is confident he’s done enough to earn a full-time contract this off-season, to read more, click here  and click here
  

  In memory of Lachie Poulter.

• A family fun day was organised recently at Dunnstown in conjunction with “Lachie’s Legacy” in memory of Lachie Poulter (SPC 2006-10), pictured above, to encourage youngsters to take up footy. Lachie’s Legacy was formed as a tribute to the Dunnstown footballer who died at the age of 25 after collapsing during a match in 2018. To read more, click here
• Great to hear from some of our youngest Old Boys, who are embarking on new paths since finishing Year 12 last year, including Joseph Singleton (SPC 2014-19) who is working as an apprentice electrician, Lleyton Rodd (SPC 2014-19) as a builder, Pierce Renga (SPC 2014-19) and Nick Spratling (SPC 2014-19) who are working in retail and sales, Brock Reid (SPC 2014-19) as a landscaper, Hudson Wilde (SPC 2014-19) and Max Scoble (SPC 2014-19) as electricians, Banjo Leahy (SPC 2014-19) as a farm apprentice, Luke Matthews (SPC 2014-19) as an apprentice, Owen Ellerton (SPC 2014-19), Jobe Quick (SPC 2014-19) and George Loton (SPC 2014-19) in the hospitality sector, Lachlan Payne (SPC 2014-19) as an apprentice cabinet maker, Taeje Baker (SPC 2014-19) as a labourer and Mitchell McKee (SPC 2014-19) as a trainee manager. Heading off to higher education are Lachlan Cini (SPC 2014-19), Charlie Martin (SPC 2014-19), Oscar Wilson (SPC 2014-19), Tom Walters (SPC 2014-19), Robert Glanford (SPC 2014-19), Matthew Duffy (SPC 2014-19), Aidan Hanrahan (SPC 2014-19), Lachlan Wright (SPC 2014-19) and Jack Cameron (SPC 2014-19).
• Mt Clear cricketer Ash George (SPC 1999-2004) celebrated a milestone game in style in the Ballarat Cricket Association. The all-rounder played his 200th game for the club during a 49-run win over Ballarat-Redan in Alfredton recently. To read more, click here
• The late Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79, PY1981) was in the thoughts and minds of many of the riders who took part in the 160km SPUD100 ride during the recent Fiona Elsey Classic in Ballarat. The event reached its fundraising target of $300,000 for cancer research and Danny was a proud ambassador of the event, along with fellow Old Boy Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80). Danny sadly passed away on September 9 last year and one of his best mates on this year’s SPUD100 ride said he thought about his old mate – “I found it extremely challenging, but I was thinking of Spud on the way around and that made it more tolerable”. To read more, click here
• Great to see Old Collegian Conor Dickson (SPC 2007-12) and his family riding together for the first time in the Ballarat Cycle Classic in this story, click here
• We wish these Old Collegians involved in the forthcoming Ballarat Lyric Theatre production of Les Miserables between February 27 and March 8, a successful run – Michael Whitehead (SPC 1968-71), president and executive producer; Emerson Tolliday (SPC 2012-17), ensemble; Braydon McKinnon (SPC 2012-17), deputy stage manager; and Jordan Ryan (SPC 2004-09), in the lighting department.
• We welcomed back Old Collegian Peter Nolan (SPC 1958-59, PY1960) to the College recently. Peter attended SPC in 1958-59 and was a boarder from Albury, where he still lives. Peter was a handy footballer in his time, part of the SPC XVIII BPS Premiers team in 1958 and again in 1959, as well as a member of the Treacy House Premiers senior park competition in 1958. Thanks for visiting us Peter!
• We had our fingers crossed for Old Collegian Dun Rilloraza (SPC 2015-17), now in his seventh year of athletics, who was hoping for success in this year’s Ballarat Gift Carnival. Dun was aiming to compete in four events including the Ballarat men’s gift, the 400m open and the 70m sprint. To read more, click here
• Well done to Brandon Lauton (SPC 2012-17) who made his debut in the Asian Champions League in Melbourne Victory’s win over Chiangrai United recently. Brothers Leighton (SPC 2014-19) and Jordan (current Year 12 student) have also been busy trailing interstate with A-League club Perth Glory recently in the hope of following in the footsteps of their older brother of pursuing careers In the nation’s top competition. To read more, click here
• Great to hear Old Collegian Peter Caine (SPC 1983-88) has been awarded the APA Specialist Sports Physiotherapist title (the highest one can achieve) and is now Manager of the Winter Olympic Institute of Australia. He is also a three-time Olympic Team Physio. Well done Peter!
• Also great news to hear Dr Liam Toohey (SPC 2003-08) has now finished his PhD at Latrobe Uni in Sports Epidemiology/Safety and Master of Clinical Epidemiology from Newcastle Uni and is continuing to work as a physiotherapist at AIS Canberra.
• Former AFL great Michael Roberts talks about the late Old Collegian Danny Frawley’s (SPC 1976-79, PY1981) legacy as he promotes the Ballarat Cycle Classic, which Danny was a proud ambassador of. To read more, click here
• Jarrod “Jagger” O’Brien (SPC 2011-16) has a lot to thank his mate for when he rescued Jarood’s stolen car while the offenders were still sitting inside it recently. Jarrod made the mistake of leaving his car unlocked while running around Lake Wendouree with his mates. When he returned, his Holden Commodore was gone. But only a few hours later, his mate chanced upon the stolen car and took the keys back from the stunned occupants. Jarrod later quipped on his Facebook account thanked his mates and said it was a “good wake up call to start running the lake a bit quicker…”   To read more, click here
• We were chatting to one of our newest Old Collegians, Damian Van Gaans (SPC 2019) recently. Damian is about to commence a double degree in Law and Theology at ACU in Melbourne, commuting three days a week. Damian is also working at Sovereign Hill on weekends. Best of luck Damian!
• Well done to Ryan McKew (SPC 2011-16) who has been named assistant coach for Vic Country. Ryan is already the Ballarat Miners Youth basketball head coach and has been involved in the Vic Country program for three years. To read more click here
• Old Collegian Bomber Isaac Baker (SPC 2003-05, PY2008) is packing his bags and leaving Buninyong to join former club Torquay for the 2020 footy season. Jack Romeril (SPC 2007-12) is also on the move, lodging a transfer to CHFL rivals Skipton as well as Jake Dunne (SPC 2005-10) who is moving to the Ballarat Swans. To read more, click here
• After almost 20 years with Mars Wrigley Australia, Old Collegian and 1990 College Captain Andrew Loader (SPC 1985-90) has left the business as general manager to focus on an exciting new role supporting new and emerging businesses and the development of young leaders. We caught up with Andrew recently and he is keen to rally together as many of his former classmates as possible for the Class of 1990 Reunion this year, to be held on Friday May 29. For more information on the reunion, click here
• Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) has resigned with the Ballarat Miners for a fourth consecutive year, returning on the back of an NBL campaign with Melbourne United. A good season with the Miners could help him secure a full-time job in the NBL or overseas. To read more click here
  

  Steve Chircop and Anthony Fleming. Photo: Lachlan Bence.

• Great to see Old Collegian Steve Chircop (SPC 1998-2001, PY2003), pictured above, helping to save a neighbour’s home after lightning struck grass and started a grass fire near Smythesdale in late January. Steve and another local resident used a homemade mobile water tank to avert disaster. To read more, click here
• Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) was busy spreading the word about the Ballarat Cycle Classic in his role as a long-term ambassador of the event, which raises money for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute. To read more, click here
  

  Fon Ryan at Learmonth’s St Joseph’s Catholic Church.

• It was a bittersweet Sunday mass for Old Boy Fon Ryan (SPC 1956-60, PY1961), pictured above,  in mid-January at Learmonth’s St Joseph’s Catholic Church, with the church closing its doors after almost 150 years. Fon has attended the church since he was a baby and he was among the final regular parishioners, who came from near and far, to attend on the day. To read more, click here
• Congratulations to Ballarat real estate agent Matthew Edwards (SPC 1999-2004), pictured below, who has joined forces with McGrath Ballarat as a co-director. Matt brings close to a decade of experience in the rural and lifestyle real estate space, and lives in Ballarat with his wife Samantha and two children, Sadie, 5, and Chaz, 2. To read more, click here
  

  Matthew Edwards.

  

  Matthew Edwards with his family.

• Well done to Old Collegian Alastair Lee (SPC 1988-93), pictured below, who has recently started his own new firm, AlumGrow Consultancy, which is a community engagement consulting firm that works with education institutions, not-for-profits and membership-based businesses to build effective and sustainable community engagement programs. Alastair lives in Melbourne with his partner Angela and daughter Charlotte. Alastair’s mum Helen is the College Sacristan and is a wonderful presence in the community. To find out more about Alastair’s new role, go to alumgrow.com.au
  

  Alastair Lee.

• Brothers Ryan Knowles (SPC 1996-2001) and Jason Knowles (SPC 2001-06) and fellow Old Collegian Oli Hayes (SPC 2007-12) were represented in the Ballarat squad of 14 for Melbourne Country Week earlier this year, along with Harli Givvens (SPC 2010-13, PY2015) who was named as the emergency. To read more, click here
• East Point has lured dual Springbank premiership player and versatile defender Sam Cue (SPC 2003-08 and current staff member) back to the club over the Christmas break. To read more, click 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