Old Boys in the News – June 2018

Our Old Collegians have been busy including:

• Jack Parry (SPC 2003-08), pictured above, who enjoyed his 10-year reunion at the College recently, has been busy spreading the message and raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis. Jack was diagnosed with epilepsy, and then two years later multiple sclerosis. Since then, the local brewer has been leading a push to raise money to research the disease that is diagnosed in four Australians every day. To read more about Jack’s fight, click on this link– and watch this interview with Jack at this link

• Check out Oscar McDonald’s (SPC 2011-13) thoughts on his looming match-up for tonight’s clash against Port Adelaide’s key forward Charlie Dixon. The Melbourne defender will have his work cut out for him, read more, in this story at this link

• Get along to see one of our incredibly talented ballet dancers, Old Collegian Callum Linnane (SPC 2008, PY2013), joint winner of the College’s Young Achiever of the Year award in 2017, who is currently performing in The Australian Ballet’s high-octane modern dance -Verve- at the Art Centre in Melbourne. To find out more and get tickets, go to this link

• We hope Michael Close (SPC 2011-12) is well on the mend after suffering -a significant bleed- on his brain after suffering a serious hit in the game against Geelong a fortnight ago. The serious concussion has ended the North Melbourne VFL co-captain’s season temporarily, but he has not given up on reigniting his AFL dream. To read more, go to this link

• Good luck to Jacob Hopper (SPC 2014-15) this weekend as he finally fronts up again for the Giants against Brisbane at the Gabba after battling a series of injuries. Jacob missed 10 weeks with a badly broken finger and then torn ankle ligaments, which followed off-season heart surgery. He also lost six weeks to stress fractures in his lower back in his debut year in 2016 and groin soreness also kept him out temporarily this season. We wish Jacob well and- SPC will be cheering him on!

• Keep an eye out for these Old Boys in next month’s AFL Victoria Community Cup as Victoria Country takes on Victoria Metropolitan at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium. The Country senior side will be coached by Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79, PY1981), while the U19 side will include Jordan Johnson (SPC 2012-17), Nick Stuhldreier (SPC 2012-17) and Jacob Brown (SPC 2011-16).

• We’ve heard Dom Swinton (SPC 2003, PY2005) will be sorely missed from the Ballarat City team as he tours Russia while the World Cup is in full swing. Dom has been in great form in front of the goals and is regarded as a speedy attacker. To read more, go to this link

• Great news that Essendon has re-signed Old Collegian and injured defender Marty Gleeson (SPC 2012, PY2012) until 2020. The 23-year-old has not played this season after suffering a nasty ankle fracture in the Bombers’ pre-season match against Geelong earlier this season. The backman has been a regular in the Bombers’ team since his selection prior to the 2014 finals series and he has played 69 matches since was taken at No. 53 in the 2012 draft. Good luck Martin!

• Member of SPC’s 1^st XVIII in their day, Peter Jacks (SPC 1986-91) and Scott O’Donohue (SPC 1987-92) were photographed recently reminiscing one of the biggest grand final upsets in Ballarat Football League history with the East Ballarat premiership players celebrating their 25-year reunion of their famous premiership victory over North Ballarat. Other SPC Old Boys in the winning side were Sean Blood (SPC 1982-87), Paull Jeffrey (SPC 1985-90), Ashley Cook (SPC 1986-91), Nigel Keating (SPC 1984-89) and Mark Orchard (SPC 1988-93). To read more and watch the premiership-winning moment, go to this link

• All rounder Harli Givvens (SPC 2010-13, PY2015) has joined Buninyong in the lead-up to its inclusion into the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade. He joins Liam Brady (SPC 1997-2002), who earlier confirmed he is moving to Buninyong as the playing-coach. Brady, a five-time premiership player, is moving from Wendouree, where he was vice-captain last year. To find out more, go to this link– and this link

• It was great to see Drew Petrie (SPC 1995-2000) back in Ballarat recently, making a special guest appearance and lining up for the Ballarat Swans in the Ballarat Football League against old rival Redan. Despite being a veteran of 332 AFL games with North Melbourne and West Coast Eagles, it was Petrie’s senior debut in the BFL and a great way, Petrie said, to round out his playing career. To read more and watch Petrie’s interview, go to this link and this link and this link

• – Congratulations to Tom McDonald (SPC 2010) who has signed a new four-year contract with the Melbourne Football Club. To read more, go to this link

• Watch this great video featuring Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15) in the lead-up to the AFL Indigenous Round, go to this link

• Fantastic story and video featuring Jake Neade (SPC 2010-12) and Dominic Barry (SPC 2009-12) talking about their pride in Aboriginal lore and why the recent AFL Indigenous Round holds very special meaning. To see more, go to this link

• We wish to applaud the organisers of the Walking off the War Within who plan to extend the focus on mental wellbeing to all emergency services personnel in their next planned event. The annual walk at St Patrick’s College and Victoria Park was set up in memory of Old Collegian Nathan Shanahan (SPC 1988-93) who lost his battle to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. To read more, go to this link

• Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd (SPC 1961-67) has announced his resignation and will finish up from his role in August. John was appointed to the role by the Abbott Government in 2014. To read more, go to this link

• Neil Jens (SPC 1965-66, PY1970) has been elected to the Ballarat Foundation board. The real estate firm founder plans to help the philanthropic organization in its aim to address the needs of the community through increased community engagement and support. To read more, go to this link

• We look forward to keeping an eye on the work of Old Collegian and architect at one of Australia’s leading design firms, Luke Jarvis (SPC 1993-98), who is currently leading the design for the Ballarat Government Hub, located next to the Civic Hall in Mair Street. This is anticipated to be the biggest and most significant civic building Ballarat has seen for a long time and is set to be a magnificent development. To read more about the proposed development and Luke’s inspiration, go to this link, this link– and this link

• Congratulations to Richmond premiership player Shaun Grigg (SPC 2001-06) who played his 200^th AFL game against St Kilda recently, to read more, go to this link

• Well done to Terry Grano (SPC 1965-68) who has been recognized for his dedication and support for men battling prostate cancer with an award for distinguished service from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. To read more, go to this link

• Well done to Paul White (SPC 1991-96) who played his 350^th open age game for Dunnstown in the Central Highlands Football League recently. To read more, go to this link

• Old Collegian and local rapper Mitch Burgess (SPC 2009-14), known as EMBE, has released in his new EP called The Backyard Rapper. The talented rapper has steadily built up his rapping reputation after winning the regional final of a statewide competition. To read more, go to this link

• We wish Nathan Sobey (SPC 2008) our congratulations after he flew to America recently for his wedding. Nathan has been playing with his home club, the Warrnambool Seahawks. To read more, go to this link

• Great to see Michael Trigger (SPC 2006-11) bringing his soccer skills back to Ballarat City after a stint with Heidelberg United in the National Premier League. To read more, go to this link

• Great story with Anthony Tigchelaar (SPC 1984-89) about the value of volunteers and his passionate commitment since playing his junior cricket with Mt Clear Cricket Club to help the club in a voluntary capacity where he can. To read more, go to this link

• Another inspiring story with Gerard Nagle (SPC 1975-78, PY1980) about his community service work and how he was raised in a culture of volunteering. To read more, go to this link

• Fantastic news for James Donovan (SPC 2007-12) and the Ballarat music scene with the Old Boy participating in a live music program, which will match James, the head music booker at The Eastern, with some of the state’s most skilled and experienced music industry professionals for one-on-one coaching sessions.To read more, go to this link

• Well done to Andrew Collins (SPC 1981-86) who has helped establish a Ballarat-specific community support network for survivors of sexual abuse. To read more about this, go to this link

• Well done to Olympian Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80), who finished 10^th in the recent 14km leg of the Great Ocean Road marathon, only six minutes behind the winner. In other news, Mona has joined the Biennale of Australian Art 2018 (BOAA) Board to better create a real sense of community ownership and interest in the festival, which runs from late September to November. To read more, go to this link and this link

• Well done to Mark Gunnell (SPC 2003-08) who captained the Central Highlands FL senior team against Riddell District recently. The experienced defender plays with Gordon. To read more, go to this link

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Ben Melham (SPC 2000-03) who scored another Group 1 win in mid May when he rode Santa Ana Lane to victory in the $1m Goodwood Handicap in South Australia. Well done Ben! To read more, go to this link

• We heard from the family of brothers- Sam Randall (SPC 2010-15) and Mitchell Randall (2006-11), who let us know Sam is in the 8/9^th Battalion with the Royal Australian Regiment and has enjoyed every minute of his time in the Army over the last two years. His brother Mitchell is busy following a different path, working in the hospitality industry interstate.

• We chatted with former boarder Isaac Ellis (SPC 2010-11) who is now living in Canberra pursuing uni study in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

• We also heard from Ash Wealands (SPC 1996-01) who is working as an airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic in Ballarat after switching careers following a stint in retail. Ash became a mature-age apprentice to pursue his career ambitions. He is looking forward to his son following in his SPC footsteps in the future!

• Well done to the big band of Old Collegians selected in the squad to represent the Ballarat Football League Under 18 interleague team to play against the Goulburn Valley Football League at the Punt Road Oval (Richmond’s training ground) recently. The team were coached by Old Collegian Chris Banwell (SPC 1999-2004). Old Collegians, who joined a number of current SPC students, named in the initial squad included Tom McKechnie (SPC 2013-17), Hudson Wilde (Year 11), Fletcher Loader (Year 12), Jack Riding (Year 12), Monty Judd (Year 12), Tom O’Keane (SPC 2012-17), Liam Phillips (Year 12) and Zak Wilson (SPC 2016-17).

• Congratulations to Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) who has signed a three-year deal with reigning Big Bash League championship team Adelaide Strikers. Matt was controversially left out of the Melbourne Renegades side that lost to the Strikers in a knockout semi-final. To read more, go to this link

• We give a shout-out to the Ballarat Football League representative team, featuring several Old Collegians, which took on the Goulburn Valley Football League recently at the MCG. Old Collegian Shaun O’Loughlin (SPC 1990-95) coached the team, which featured several other Old Boys including Matthew Johnston (SPC 2009-14),Daniel Kennedy (SPC 2004-07, PY 2009), Matt Austin (SPC 2005-06) initially picked but replaced due to injury, Jake McQueen (SPC 20145-16) and Jordan Johnston (SPC 2012-17). The match was played as a curtain raiser before the Essendon and Geelong game.

• Fantastic to see Trevor Birks (SPC 1988-93), Bendigo Beer president, working to better educate beer drinkers in Australia, to read more, go to this link

• Great to see the work of Peter Gunn (SPC 1977-80, PY1982) and Chris Jones (1988-93) out in the community, with St John Ambulance recently delivering an automatic external defibrillator to Showbiz Cinemas for public use in the Delacombe community. To read more, go to this link