Old Boys in the News – February 2023

Our Old Boys have been in the news, including:

Simon Ward. Photo: Adam Trafford

• An incredible effort by Old Collegian Simon Ward (SPC 2001-06) who competed in the recent Ballarat Cycle Classic as part of a personal mission to raise funds for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute after he was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in November last year. The 34-year-old father and his family had raised nearly $13,000 in the lead-up to the race. You can still donate, to read more about Simon’s story and find out more about how you can support Simon’s ride, click here
  

  Aidan Murphy, pictured left. Photo: The Courier

• Congratulations to Aidan Murphy (SPC 2013-18) who has been named the Federation University Australia Apprentice of the Year. The Certificate III in Plumbing student described the honour as “pretty cool”. To read more, click here
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  Luke Taylor. Photo: Alex Ford

  Read about Old Collegian Luke Taylor’s (SPC 1995-2000) inspiring life-changing work despite a horrific cycling accident and heart-breaking family struggles in this story here

• Tim Canny (SPC 1995-2000) talks about Ballarat’s tourism figures in this story here
• Former skipper Sam James (SPC 2008-13) has announced his departure from the Ballarat Swans for a move to WA for work (click here for story here) along with Nick Stuhldreier (SPC 2012-17) from Bacchus Marsh who is heading to Greenvale (story here)
  

  Dominic Swinton. Photo: Adam Trafford

• Great to hear the signing of another former Ballarat City FC Dominic Swinton (SPC 2003, PY2005) for the Sebastopol Vikings in the State League 3 North-West side, to read, click here
• Terrific to see Old Boy Blake Thomson (SPC 2011-15) playing for Victoria’s Second XI after tearing it up in Premier Cricket this season. The Melbourne captain has posted 563 runs at an average of 51.18 to rank as the competition’s third-highest run-scorer. To read more, click here
  

  Matt Short. Photo: The Courier

• While fellow Old Boy Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) is ensuring his name remains at the forefront of national selectors’ minds with a century for Victoria in a recent 50-over match. This follows Matt’s incredible Big Bash League season, which was officially recognised with this Old Boy being named the player of the tournament and presented at the Allan Border Medal in late January. Matt enjoyed a second-straight BBL season in the top three of the competitions runs tally. Congratulations Matt! To read more, click here and here and here  and here
  

  Elijah Cross. Photo: Adam Trafford

• Congratulations also to Old Collegian Elijah Cross (SPC 2015-2020) who won the open 400m at the Ballarat Gift recently, to check out more, click here
• Great to see Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) and Gerard FitzGerald (SPC 1973, PY1975) talking on leadership and major events potential in this story here  We were chuffed to hear also that Mona’s 5000m world record for over 60s is now official. A fantastic effort and well deserved, great job Steve! To read more, click here
  

  Joe McCracken. Photo: The Courier

• Congratulations to new Upper House Liberal MP Joe McCracken (SPC 2003-05), who used his inaugural speech in a powerful way and in what is believed to be a first for the state’s parliament. To read more, click here
• Great to hear Old Collegian David Canny (SPC 1980-85), national president of the Australian Hotels Association and long-time owner of the Red Lion Hotel, has taken over the reins of another well-known hotel, The Park Hotel, in Ballarat. And in more SPC news, Rhys Sizeland (SPC 2004-09) is managing The Park. To read more, click here
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  Roger Morris, second from right, with his family on his retirement, including sons Josh (SPC 1995-2000) and Abraham (SPC 2004-09).

  Congratulations to Old Collegian Roger Morris (SPC 1976-78) on his recent well-earned retirement after dedicating 41 years to teaching at Loreto College, Ballarat. Roger leaves an extraordinary legacy behind, being the first full-time male teacher at Loreto Dawson Street. Congratulations Roger!

• Congratulations to talented Old Collegian Josh Ballinger (SPC 2018-18, PY2021) who has been training with the Australian Ballet School based in Melbourne since finishing at SPC, has accepted a place with the West Australian Ballet Company in 2023.
• Great to see Old Collegian Callum Leonard (SPC 2003-08) back at SPC’s Main Oval recently for an AFL goal and boundary umpire training camp. Callum took up goal umpiring with the Ballarat Football Umpires Association and has risen the ranks, now as an AFL umpire. To read more of Callum’s story, click here
• Congratulations was in order for East Ballarat cricketer Harli Givvens (SPC 20110-13, PY2015) on their win in the Ballarat Cricket Association Twenty20 grand final recently, while fellow Old Boy brothers Josh Pegg (SPC 2015-19, PY2020) and Lukas Pegg (SPC 2018-21, PY2023) were in the losing side, to read more, click here
• Great to see The Turret Café owner and Old Boy LeRoy Hand (SPC 1993-98) supporting a new website promoting events in the Ballarat region, to read more click here
  

  Brett Shillito. Photo: Kate Healy

• Great to see Brett Shillito (SPC 1987-92) in his role as principal at Yuille Park Community College, which has become Ballarat’s first official K-12 state school, to read more, click here
  

  Cooper Alsop, left. Photo: The Courier

• Old Collegian Cooper Alsop (SPC 2017-19, PY2022) was set to compete in a massive national skate jam competition as the YMCA Action Sports Skate Park League was set to return. Cooper was entered in the U18 category, to read more, click here
• Welcome back to Old Collegian Patrick Thornton (SPC 1999-2004) who has been appointed as the new general manager at North Ballarat Sports Club, which has a couple of years of major events ahead, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games at Mars Stadium. To find out more about where Patrick has been until now, click 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