Old Boys in the News – June 2021

Our Old Collegians have been busy, including:

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  John O’Brien. Photo: Kate Healy

  Great to hear that Old Collegian and craft beer pioneer John O’Brien (SPC 1978-79) is looking to expand his brewing business through a public equity crowdfunding offer. John developed gluten-free beer after discovering he had developed a gluten intolerance. The makers of the gluten-free O’Brien beer, Rebellion Brewing are now hoping to raise up to $1.5m to expand its production capacity. John shared his journey with the GWB in this story here. To read more about his latest venture, click here

• Congratulations to Old Collegian and former Deputy Principal Dr Andrew Watson (SPC 1982-87), who has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Education Office in Wagga Wagga and will commence in the role in January 2022.
• Great to see Aaron Cadman (SPC 2016-20, PY2021) making an impact in the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels team along with current student James Van Es in this story here
• We wish Luke Madden (SPC 2011-15,PY2016) well after a nasty soccer accident recently, see this story here
• Well done to Nathan Sobey (SPC 2008) who has capped off a stellar 2021 National Basketball League (NBL) season with the Brisbane Bullets star earning an MVP nomination. Sadly, he lost out to Bryce Cotton, who was named the eventual NBL MVP winner at the recent Andrew Gaze MVP Awards night. To read more, click here
• 

  Ryan McKew. Photo: Adam Trafford

  Great to see Ryan McKew (SPC 2011-16) is making inroads in the mental health field with Basketball Victoria by initiating a new role as State Wellbeing and Engagement coach. The 23-year-old was formerly assistant coach with Victoria Country. Click here to read more about Ryan’s new role. Great work Ryan!

• Great to hear from Casey Scholten (SPC 1988-93), who is working as a fireman and station officer with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Great work Casey!

• Central Highlands FL coaches and Old Collegians Sam Willian (SPC 2008-13) and Matt James (SPC 2005-10) spoke about the push to get footy back in action again after the latest lockdown, click here for more.
  

  Hamish Irvin with his father Brent. Picture: BFUA

  Great to see Old Boy Hamish Irvin (SPC 2015-2020) achieve a rare feat recently, umpiring a senior Ballarat Football Netball League game together with his father Brent. To read more, click here

• There is hope that Old Boy Matt Crouch (SPC 2008-13) may return to the field for Adelaide towards the end of the AFL season after starting rehab after successful surgery to stabilise a tendon. To read more, click here. Fellow Old Boy Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2021) is also on an extended stint on the sidelines after undergoing surgery after suffering an ankle injury early in the season. Matt’s older brother Brad Crouch (SPC 2006-11) suffered a fractured cheekbone during the Saints game against Geelong but still managed to make it to his Ten-Year Class Reunion the night after at the College in mid May. Oscar McDonald (SPC 2011-13) is also on the sidelines for a back injury. To read more about these injuries, click here
• 

  Andrew Leehane, second from left.

  Well done to Andrew Leehane (SPC 1987-88, PY1989) who enjoyed success at recent Australian Masters Rowing Championships, combining to win several gold and bronze medals. To read more, click here

• The latest COVID lockdowns have come at a frustrating time for Old Collegian Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) and the Ballarat Miners, who were starting to build some chemistry in the NBL1 South basketball competition, read more here
  

  Paul Martino.

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Paul Martino (SPC 1979-84) who has been named as the new chair of Ballarat Regional Tourism. Paul was in the news recently, speaking about the government’s recent announcement of tourism vouchers, and the effect of the latest lockdown on the Ballarat tourism sector. To read more, click here
• Fantastic to see Callum Linnane (SPC 2008, PY2013) promoted to senior artist with the Australia Ballet. It is the second highest rank in the company and means Callum will take on a mix of solo and principal roles in Australian Ballet productions. Well done Callum! To read more, click here and here
• The latest Victorian lockdown has hit Old Collegian businesses hard including accommodation provider Tim Canny (SPC 1995-2000), who spoke about the impact of the seven-day snap lockdown in this story here
• Read this heartfelt tribute by Old Boy Alex Roberts (SPC 2008-11) about his brother Isaac (SPC 2013-18) who died tragically in a single-car accident at Amphitheatre on April 25 after falling asleep at the wheel while driving home from night shift. Isaac’s family had planned a public memorial to celebrate his life at the Clunes showgrounds on May 29 when the latest snap lockdown was introduced. To read more, click here
• Old Collegian Wayne Jones (SPC 1976-79, PY1981), who works for GJ Gardner Homes, highlights the drastic building materials shortage due to the ongoing COVID saga in this story here
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  Joab Mead in his Year 12 photo in 2012.

  Great to hear from his dad at the recent Mildura Field Days that former boarder Joab Mead (SPC 2010-12) is now himself, a boarding master, at St Peters College, in Adelaide. Well done Joab!

• Former Victorian premier and Old Collegian Steve Bracks (SPC 1968-71) pays tribute to former MP Frank Sheehan who passed away recently in this story here
• As Phil Partington finished up after an illustrious 16-year career with the GWB Rebels recently, he named his best Rebels “team of tenure”, including the following Old Boys –Jacob Hopper (SPC 2014-15), Nathan Brown (SPC 2002-06, PY2007), Brad Crouch (SPC 2006-11), Shaun Grigg (SPC 2001-06), Matt Crouch (SPC 2008-13), Tom McDonald (SPC 2010), Dan Butler (SPC 2009-14), Dan Rioli (SPC 2012-15), Mitchell Brown (SPC 2002-06), Jake Neade (SPC 2010-12), Nick Rippon (SPC 2007-12), Oscar McDonald (SPC 2011-13). Click here to read Parto’s team in full.
• Well done to Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) who has landed a Victorian contract for the 2021-22 summer. At the age of 25, Matt will be among the veterans on the list, with more than half of the 29 contracted players aged 23 years and under. The batting all-rounder played seven Sheffield Shield matches last summer, scoring 244 runs at 27.11. To read more, click here
• Congratulations to Mark Gibson (SPC 1986-91) who has been appointed as principal of Sacred Heart Primary School in Mildura. Mark was principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Red Cliffs for five years and previously served for one year as deputy principal at Sacred Heart, Mildura and for two years as principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, Nhill. Since 1996, Mark has enjoyed a variety of teaching and leadership roles within both small and medium sized schools across the diocese and Catholic Education Ballarat.
• Great to hear from Adam Jarvis (SPC 1996-2001) who is working with the Prison Dog Squad!
• Fantastic to see Alastair Lee (SPC 1988-93) from AlumGrow Consultancy will be a guest speaker at the EducatePlus International Conference in Adelaide this September.
  

  Jamie Walsh.

• Congratulations to Jamie Walsh (SPC 1986-91) who has been appointed as principal of All Saints Primary School in Portland. Jamie has been continuously employed at All Saints PS since 1996 as a teacher and also in positions of leadership, including Deputy Principal since 2017. Well done Jamie!
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  Bailey Van de Heuvel. Photo: Adam Trafford

  Great to see Bailey Van De Heuvel (SPC 2011-16) continuing the rise up the ranks, making his Victorian Football League debut for Footscray in recent months, to read more, click here

• Great to hear from Old Boys Gregory Cunningham (SPC 1970-71) who is working as a physiotherapist, Paul Banks (SPC 1966-70) who is retired, Richard Taberner (SPC 1989) who is a teacher and Anthony O’Loughlin (SPC 1966-71) who is working as a psychologist.
• Great to hear from former boarder Tim Jess (SPC 1990-92) who is working on the BHP Iron Ore mine in Western Australia. Tim is already looking ahead and looking forward to making it home for his 30 Year Class Reunion in 2022!
• Fantastic to hear from former day student Martin Kaye (SPC 1997-2003) who joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2003 and has been a sailor ever since!
  

  The new GovHub building in Ballarat.

• We celebrate the fantastic work of Old Collegian Luke Jarvis (SPC 1993-98), who is associate principal at John Wardle Architects, and led the team behind the Ballarat GovHub, Victoria’s largest mass timber office building. The Ballarat GovHub was officially opened recently, and Luke said he was “very proud” to have led the team to deliver a landmark building for Development Victoria and the city of Ballarat. Read more about the project’s aspirations and take a look at some of the interior spaces 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