Old Boys in the News – June 2024

Our Old Boys have been in the spotlight recently, including:

Mark Molloy.

• Keep an eye out for Mark Molloy (SPC 1993) who will be a judge at the forthcoming Poco Film Fest in Ballarat in early August. Mark is an award-winning Australian director who has recently directed “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” for Netflix with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, starring Eddie Murphy, Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon Levitt. Now based in Los Angeles, Mak is also known for his short film series “Apple at Work – The Underdogs,” which has received over 150 million views worldwide and earned him a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials at the 72nd Directors Guild of America Awards. The Poco Film Fest is the brainchild of fellow Old Boy Luke Keyes (SPC 1988-93).
  

  Jack Owen’s new book, You Are Not Your Farm.

• Congratulations to Mt Emu farmer Jack Owen (SPC 2007-2012) who is the author behind the new book, You Are Not Your Farm: What the top 5% of farmers are doing that the average farmer is not. Well done Jack! To find out more about Jack’s book or buy your own copy, click here
  

  Ed Den Ouden will be joint coach of the Grasshoppers next season. Photo Adam Trafford

• Veteran ruckman Ed Den Ouden (SPC 1999-2000, PY2004) is taking over the reins as joint seniors coach of the Rokewood-Corindhap FC in the Central Highlands FL next season, read more here
• Great to see Callum Linnane (SPC 2008, PY2013) starring in The Australian Ballet’s latest production ‘Oscar’. Callum plays the lead role that tells the story of the life and writings of Oscar Wilde, see more here 
  

  Ben Hutt, left with dad Mick, right. Photo The Courier

• Great to hear senior captain Ben Hutt (SPC 2012-17) has signed on with Sebastopol in the Ballarat FL for season 2025, along with his father Mick Hutt (SPC 1982-85) as reserves coach, read more in this story here
  

  Brenton Payne. Photo Adam Trafford

• Watch out, Gordon non-playing coach Brenton Payne (SPC 2010-14) is leaving the door open to play in the Central Highlands FL finals, with at least one game under his belt now and plans to qualify for finals. Read more about the former St Kilda AFL-listed and Melton premiership player here
  

  Andrew Groch.

• Great to hear Andrew Groch (SPC 2008-13), the College’s 2022 Young Achiever, was back in Ballarat to lead the Lianmeng AusChina Senior Choir and the Australian New Goldberg Orchestra together in a special evening concert at the Civic Hall recently. Andrew is currently a conductor with the esteemed Melbourne Symphony orchestra. Well done Andrew! To read more about the concert, click here
• Olympic selection is on the line for sprinter Cooper Sherman (SPC 2017-22) who is chasing points and results that could secure their ticket to Paris. Cooper has been competing in a series of races in Europe over the last fortnight and in the latest news, we have heard he has finished third in his first run after finishing second in the 400m Oceania final in Fiji in early June. We have our fingers crossed for Cooper! Follow Cooper’s run to the Olympics here, here and here

Wayne Carmichael in action.

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Wayne Carmichael (SPC 1975-78) who has been inducted into the Northern Mallee Sports Hall of Game for his contribution to cricket, table tennis and football. Wayne played three years of First XVIII Football at SPC, was captain in 1978 and also played in the First XI Cricket. Well done Wayne!

Justin O’Brien plays his 200th senior game for Carngham-Linton. Photo Adam Trafford

• Justin O’Brien (SPC 2005-10) notched up his 200^th senior game for Carngham-Linton recently, beating the unbeaten Bungaree in in the Central Highlands game as well. Justin played alongside brothers Nick (SPC 2006-11), Dean (SPC 2013-18) and Jarrod (SPC 2011-16) and has become a club life member. To read more, click here

Andy McKay plays his 300th senior game for Hepburn. Photo Adam Trafford

• Hepburn legend Andy McKay (SPC 1995-2000) celebrated a mighty 300 senior games with the Burras recently, which he credits to family, friends and fun. Read the story here
• Great to see Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) receiving the call up as a reserve for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June. Read more here
• Old Boys Darren Hayes (SPC 1986-91) and Leo Liston (SPC 1964-68, PY1970) voice their concerns about their residential road in this story here
• Great to see Simon Ward (SPC 2001-06) become an advocate for bowel cancer screening after his own scare, to read more, read 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