Old Boys in the News – March 2021

March 30, 2021

Our Old Boys have been busy, including:

Sam Oostendorp.

  • A fantastic effort by Old Collegian Sam Oostendorp (SPC 2011-16) who came away with four medals at the Australian Rowing Championships at the weekend in Tasmania. Sam, who was in SPC’s 2016 1st crew, finished third in the Victorian Men’s Lightweight Coxless Four. Sam also represented Banks RC, winning gold in the open men’s lightweight four, and silver in both the men’s LW Pair and LW Eight. Well done Sam! To read more, click here

    John Richards.

  • Congratulations to John Richards (SPC 83-88 and current staff) for a tremendous 30 years of service to catholic education. Well done John!

  • Tom Lyon.

    Congratulations also to Tom Lyon (SPC 2012-17) on taking out the VGCSA Golf Turf Apprentice Award. Tom joined the team at Ballarat Golf Club and now has the opportunity to head to Queensland, where he can potentially take out the apprentice of the year for Australia. Good luck Tom!

  • Oscar McDonald (SPC 2011-13) has high hopes this season after getting a chance on Carlton’s playing list and playing early in the AAMI series game against St Kilda as a forward/ruck. Read Oscar’s account of the recent game experience here.  The 24-year-old was signed under a pre-season supplemental selection period and comes to the Blues after 81 senior games across six seasons with Melbourne after being selected with pick 53 in the 2014 national draft. To read more, click here and here

    Michael Pierce, pictured centre. Photo: Lachlan Bence

  • Great to see Michael Pierce’s (SPC 1983-88) involvement in a national sports injury trial through Lake Health Group, where Michael is a senior physiotherapist, to read more, click here
  • Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) talks about the importance of having exercise goals, particularly following COVID, as he promotes the forthcoming Run For the Kids in Melbourne in August, where he is race director in this story here and here.  It is also great to see Steve involved as a local ambassador in a new campaign to help Ballarat recover from the economic pain caused by COVID-19. To read more, click here
  • Well done to Old Boy Mitch Ward (SPC 2013-18) and his brother and current student Brodie Ward on their involvement in Darley’s win in the Ballarat Cricket Association Firsts cricket at the weekend. Commiserations to Josh Pegg (SPC 2015-19, PY2020) who was in the losing side for Golden Point. To read more, click here

    Scott Phillips, second from right. Photo: Adam Trafford

  • Great to see Scott Phillips (SPC 1990) supporting a campaign for a safe pedestrian crossing in Delacombe in this story here. Scott is principal of the nearby Delacombe Primary School.
  • Great to hear from Geoff Whitefield (SPC 1975-80), who is part of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province Leadership Team and oversees the works and the pastoral wellbeing of the Christian Brothers and their ministry partners across Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Philippines.

    Spud’s Game, honouring Danny Frawley’s legacy promoting mental health.

  • Fantastic to see Old Collegian Dan Butler (SPC 2009-14) determined to honour fellow Old Boy Danny Frawley’s (SPC 1976-79. PY1981) legacy as he lined up for St Kilda against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium for Spud’s Game: Time 2 Talk last weekend, which aims to raise awareness of mental health. Read what Dan had to say in the full story here and congratulations to the St Kilda Football Club on this incredible initiative honouring Danny in such a special way and seeking to raise much needed funds for and awareness of mental illness in our society. To find out more, click here
  • Great to hear from Mark Alexander (SPC 2003-09) who is now working as a registered nurse, and Ryan Dunstan (SPC 1995-2000) who is a factory worker. Michael Sordello (SPC 1995-2000) is working as a teacher and Eamon Stringer (SPC 1995-2000) is working in media sales. Matthew Shortal (SPC 1995-2000) is now a general manager and Michael Watson (SPC 1995-2000) is a draftsperson. Jason Hucker (SPC 1995-2000) is now working as a teacher and Paul Dodds (SPC 1995-2000) is a solar installer and retailer.
  • Great to hear from Jarrod Waight (SPC 1996-2001) (former staff 2002-07) who is now the Head of Sport at Kardinia International College. Jarrod’s coaching roles in 2021 include AFL Umpires VFL coach, AFLW Umpires Coach and National Umpires Coach for the 2021 AFL U/17 National Championships to be held on the Gold Coast in July.
  • Great to hear from Matthew Butterworth (SPC 2015-2020) who is combining work as a tutor in the SPC Year 12 Study Centre with retail work. Lachie Makin (SPC 2016-2020) is working in retail and hospitality and Declan Phillips (SPC 2015-2020) is a farm hand.
  • Old Collegian John Shanahan (SPC 1967-69) is continuing to shine the light on the mental health for returned service personnel in this story here and he also talks about the 2021 Walk Off the War Within event, which will be held in Ballarat in April, in this story here
  • Great to hear from Matthew de Jong (SPC 1979-84), who was also a member of staff between 2001-04, who has moved further north and is now the Religious Education Coordinator at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College, in Alice Springs, NT. We also heard from Andrew Murphy (SPC 1975-80) who is a park ranger.
  • Great to see Will Hynes (SPC 2015-2020) signing on with the Ballarat Miners ahead of the 2021 NBL1 South season in this story here
  • Fantastic to hear from some of our Class of 2016 Old Boys, including Hasker Dawborn (SPC 2011-16), who is working in the financial services industry, Matthew Wong (SPC 2011-16) who is working as a RAAF Electrical Engineering Officer, Jordyn Cotter (SPC 2011-16) who is a window tinter, electrician Keenan Waterbury (SPC 2015-16), carpenters Tom Ryan (SPC 2010-16) and Jake McQueen (SPC 2015-16), plumber Andrew Milroy (SPC 2011-16) and Daniel Hillman (SPC 2011-16), who is working with Brainstorm Productions as an actor. Billy Sullivan (SPC 2011-16) is a student in Brisbane and Lleyton Pigott (SPC 2012-16) is working as an apprentice electrician. Connor Kent (SPC 2011-16) is a warehouse manager and Jordan Pring (SPC 2011-16) is a film editor and visual effects artist. Will Madden (SPC 2011-16) is now working as a teacher.
  • Great to see Callum Linnane (SPC 2008, PY2013) on a high after his return to the stage recently, performing George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux with the Australian Ballet.

    Callum Linnane. Photo: Jeff Busby

  • Great to hear from Ben Lusby (SPC 2010-15), who is working in the construction management industry. Ben is currently working onsite as a project engineer. We also heard from Thomas Wakefield (SPC 2010-15), who is now an Army officer, Jaidyn Achison (SPC 2010-2015) who is working as a chef and Matthew Geary (SPC 2010-15) who is now an accountant. Xavier Frost (SPC 2006-11) is now working as an exercise physiologist and Jed Bragge (SPC 2009-15) is now a qualified bricklayer.
  • Fantastic to hear from Glenn Sharp (SPC 1986-91), who is the director of Sharp Accounting. Glenn started the business in 2004 on his own and now employs 13 team members. He has created a business hub in their office in 1311 Sturt Street Ballarat, where they have a mortgage broker, financial planner and insurance broker share their office and collaborating with them. Great work Glenn!
  • Matthew Callahan (SPC 2006-11) is now working as a chartered accountant, Ciaran Conaughton (SPC 2006-11) who is a teacher, factory worker Reece Isbister (SPC 2006-11) and Brandon Weller (SPC 2006-11), who is a medical alarm technician. We also heard from Tom McGregor (SPC 2006-11), who is now a builder, and James Liston (SPC 2006-11) who is working as a rural property valuer. Jaz Plinius-Wiese (SPC 2006-11) is now Head of Mathematics at Ballarat High School, Tom Stapleton (SPC 2006-11) is an electrician and Nicholas Banks (SPC 2005-11) is a farmer. Jack Dean (SPC 2006-11) is now working as an accountant.
  • Good news for Pat Karras (SPC 2008-13) who has been signed to the Sebastopol Vikings ahead of its state league 3 north-west season. Pat has been playing previously with Altona City and North Geelong. To read more, click here
  • Great to see quite a few Old Boys heading west to play footy with Skipton under senior co-coach and Old Boy Sam Willian (SPC 2008-13), including Nathan Olver (SPC 2006-11), Liam Cullinan (2008-12, PY2013), Jack Romeril (SPC 2007-12), Brad Ryan (SPC 2009-14), Rhys Monument (SPC 2006-11) and Jethro Kirby (SPC 2008-13). To read more, click here
  • Great to hear from process operator Shaun Dossor (SPC 1996-2001), Rory Thompson (SPC 1986-91) who is a pharmacist, Ashley Beechey (SPC 1986-89, PY1991) who is operations manager, architect James Foley (SPC 1996-2001), plasterer Bradley Molloy (SPC 1995-2001) and Kieran Lamond (SPC 1996-2001) who is a sailor with the Royal Australian Navy. Mark Kenna (SPC 1996-2001) is now working as an accountant and Adam Jarvis (SPC 1996-2001) is a prison guard. Steven Trotter (SPC 1996-2001) is now a school principal. Yousuf Aleem (SPC 1996-2001) is now an electrician and Xavier Watson (SPC 1996-2001) is a director in safety strategy.
  • Congratulations to the following Old Boys who have been selected in the final Greater Western Victoria Rebels squad for the 2021 season under head coach David Loader (SPC 1982-85, PY1987): Charlie Molan (SPC 2015-20), Jye Lockett (SPC 2018-20), Blake Scott (SPC 2015-20), Fraser Marris (SPC 2018-20), Nick Hodgson and Isaac Lovison (2015-20). Well done guys! They join a number of current SPC students as well. To read more, click here
  • Fantastic to see Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2020) making such a great impression in Brisbane’s pre-season win over Gold Coast in the Community Series game recently. To read Harry’s thoughts on his own game, click here

    Simon Dwyer, pictured second from left,. Photo: Adam Trafford

  • Great to see Simon Dwyer (SPC 1976-81) has been appointed to a Community Consultative Committee to be led by fellow Old Collegian and former Premier Steve Bracks (SPC 1968-71) and the city’s two state MPs to help guide the Ballarat Base Hospital’s $541.6m redevelopment. To read more, click here

    Jayson Frawley.

  • Great to hear from Jayson Frawley (SPC 1986-91) who is heavily involved with Lawn Bowls in Ballarat. He was the inaugural secretary/treasurer of the Bungaree Bowling Club which was formed in 2013 and is the current president. Jayson is proud to report they have gone from strength to strength fielding four teams each week and winning seven premierships in their short history enabling promotion from Division 7 to Division 2 in the Ballarat and District Bowls Division. He also project managed the construction of their new bowling green at the Bungaree Recreation Reserve, which Jayson is very proud of. Jayson is also looking forward to his 30-Year Class Reunion, now to be held in October.
  • Great to hear from Simon Burns (SPC 1987-91), who is a chief financial officer and Kieran Murrihy (SPC 1986-91) who is working with young people in the Ballarat area with his program Crazy Ideas College, which encourages young people to think big and play a key role in creating the future. To read more, click here
  • Great to see brothers Louis (SPC 2009-14) and Teddy Powlett (SPC 2003-08) riding the wave of Ballarat’s hospitality resurgence, with their opening of a new ‘cocktail social club’, Renard, on the site of the former Faux Social Club in Mair Street recently. They have already played a significant part in bringing new life to the local restaurant scene, with Teddy owning the popular Moon & Mountain restaurant on the other side of the road, and involvement in Raggazones Italian restaurant, also on Mair Street, as well as another venture, Winner Winner, in Armstrong St. To read more, click here and here

    Will Gilbert, second from right. Photo: Lachlan Bence

  • Great to see Will Gilbert’s (SPC 2015-2020) success on the water as a member of the Ballarat City rowing team which earned a swag of medals in the Rowing Victoria state championship regatta in Nagambie recently. The Ballarat crew smashed their personal best time and have been busy making an ambitious play to raise enough money to purchase an elite racing boat to take to nationals in Tasmania in late March. Great to see Will showing young rowers how to pursue a rowing pathway after finishing school. To read more, click here

    Allister Morrison. Photo: Adam Trafford

  • Ballarat real estate auctioneer Allister Morrison (SPC 1990-95) talks about how furious the market in the Ballarat region has become as Melbourne’s exodus to the regions continues in this story here
  • AFL premiership player and coach Michael Malthouse talks about the legacy left behind by Old Collegian Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79, PY1981), who turned the Ballarat Cycle Classic into much more than just a charity ride. To read more about Mick’s thoughts, click here
  • It is fantastic news to hear that Tom McDonald (SPC 2010) has been awarded a life membership at the Melbourne Football Club. To read Tom’s reaction to the honour, click here
  • Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) showed his brilliance in Victoria’s clash with New South Wales by smashing 94 runs to dig his team out of a huge hole in this story here
  • Read this great story with Old Boy Mark Kennedy (SPC 1992-97), now deputy principal at St Joseph’s in Geelong, as he explains how the recent and highly successful inaugural Respect Cup, combining SPC and Loreto Colleges with St Joey’s and Sacred Heart Colleges’ football teams at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium, evolved, click here
  • Great to have 2010 College Captain James McMaster (SPC 2006-10) back on home soil in readiness for the Class of 2010 Ten Year Reunion, to be held on May 1. James arrived back in Australia on Boxing Day, last year after spending several years working in Canada. James shared his story with us a little while ago, click here to read more.
  • Great to also hear from Cameron Carter (SPC 2005-10) who is a teacher and Leon Piscioneri (SPC 2009-10) who is an accountant and Patrick James (SPC 2005-10) who is a registered nurse.

    Scott Hovey and his wife Simone.

    Scott Hovey’s Hillcrest Farm.

  • A shout-out to Scott Hovey (SPC 1985-87, PY1990), who has started a new business venture on his family farm at Dean. Hillcrest Farm is set in a picturesque farm setting and perfect for weddings and all sorts of group bookings. Scott and his family are also working hard towards opening a café at Hillcrest Farm in the near future. To find out more about this great venue, click here
  • Great to hear from Adrian Stuart (SPC 1987-90) who is now the owner and director of his own plumbing and gas fitting business. We also heard from miner Chris Orchard (SPC 1989, PY1990), and Jeremy Baker (SPC 1987-90), now a teacher. Ben Were (SPC 1990) has his own auto electrician business and Simon Routson (SPC 1985-90) is an optometrist. We hope to see these guys and as many from the Class of 1990 as possible at the rescheduled reunion on April 30.
  • Blake Thomson (SPC 2011-15) and Jack Riding (SPC 2013-18) enjoyed stellar starts to their seasons in the Victorian Premier cricket, see here

    Fr Dan Arundell.

  • Great to hear from retired parish priest Dan Arundell (SPC 1945-48), who continues to celebrate the 8pm Mass every Sunday at the St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat.
  • Jed Hill (SPC 2013-15, PY2018) has left the Ballarat Swans to play with Sebastopol this BFL season. To read more, click here
  • Drew Petrie (SPC 1995-2000) listed his Strathmore ‘forever home’ on the real estate market after making the move to Western Australia in 2017 when he pulled on the boots for his final season of AFL with the West Coast Eagles. Check out Drew’s old pad 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