Old Boys in the News – November 2017

Our Old Boys have been in the news, including:

• Luke Taylor (SPC 1995-2000), pictured above, who has had an emotional reunion with the paramedics who saved his life after a terrible cycling accident on the outskirts of Ballarat earlier this year. Luke talks about the accident, his multiple injuries and his slow recovery in this candid read at this link.- Cyclists are invited to converge on St Patrick’s College tomorrow – Saturday November 4 – to raise money for Luke and fellow Ballarat cyclist Christian Ashby, who is also recovering from a devastating cycling crash. The fundraising effort is part of the annual Bike Riders’ Brekkie, to be held at the College’s OCA Pavilion, and is planned perfectly for local cyclists to attend after their morning ride. Luke was struck by a ute at an intersection west of Ballarat in May this year and underwent surgery for 14 hours and still requires ongoing rehabilitation for his long list of injuries. To help support these two men, just arrive at SPC after 8.30am for a feed. For more details, go to this link

• Watch as Essendon player Martin Gleeson (SPC 2012) and some of his teammates and Bombers’ staff try and show some of the NBA Washington Wizards basketballers how to kick a “Sherrin” footy during their recent trip to America. For more, click on this link

• Gerard Fitzgerald (SPC 1973, PY1975) is preparing for life outside the elite football coaching world for the first time in more than 20 years. To read more, go to this link

• Jacob Brown (SPC 2011-16) has gained an exciting call-up trial to Essendon’s Victorian Football League side after a great performance in Hepburn’s grand final win over Beaufort in the Central Highlands League. To read more, go to this link

• Congratulations to Josh Muir (SPC 2004-07) whose inspiring artwork is now being seen on trams travelling across Melbourne after his work was selected in the 2017 Melbourne Art Trams project. Watch this great video on Josh explaining his work at this link

• Good to see Yestin Eades (SPC 2014-15) back in Ballarat recently when he joined other former AFL players to grace Mars Stadium for the NAIDOC football and netball carnival. For more, go to this link

• Good luck to- Ben Melham (SPC 2000-03), who is on Johannes Vermeer in next week’s Melbourne Cup. Ben- finished third on- the favourite in the Caulfield Cup, losing out to Boom Time and Single Gaze. Ben chatted in the lead-up to the Caulfield Cup about his chances at- this link

• Well done to Shane Darroch (SPC 1985-90), head coach of the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy U16 Girls, and team manager Liam Brady (SPC 1997-2002), also regional development manager for AFL Victoria’s AFL Goldfields, who capped off an impressive 2017 Cup carnival, going through undefeated and finishing second in their U16 Girls squad campaign.

• Congratulations also to Corey Gallagher (SPC 1989-94) who claimed top prize and a $15,000 winner’s cheque while representing the Australian Hobie Fishing Team at the China Open. To see Corey in action, go to this link

• Congratulations to Trystan Sammut (SPC 2009-12) who won a bronze medal for his elite bricklaying work at the 44^th WorldSkills International competitions which were held in Abu Dhabi in mid October. There were around 1300 competitors representing 77 countries with Trystan being one of 30 bricklayers all aiming for the top prize. To read more, go to this link

• Daniel Groch (SPC 2005-10) was in the spotlight after snapping up a Ballarat property recently -“ supporting data showing that new incentives are prompting more first home buyers to purchase property. To read more, go to this link

• – News in that Matt Austin (SPC 2005-06) has signed with Sebastopol for the 2018 Ballarat Football League season following the disbanding of the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL. For more, go to this link

• Congratulations to Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) who made his senior National Basketball League debut recently when he took to the court for the first time in Melbourne United colours in their big away win against the Adelaide 36ers. Fittingly, Sam’s on court time was against another Old Collegian with Nathan Sobey (SPC 2008) lining up for the 36ers. The debut capped off a big week for Sam who also travelled with Melbourne United to the USA for the match against NBA team the Oklahoma Thunder. Sam has signed on with the Ballarat Miners for the next two seasons. Also, Sam and his brother Matt’s huge sporting talents are in the spotlight at this link– and this link– To read more about Sam’s latest efforts, go to this link– and this link

• Read Danny Frawley’s (SPC 1976-79, PY1981) secret pain in a very honest interview about his childhood, life on the land, loneliness, failing, dealing with depression and moving forward. It’s well worth the read, go to this link

• Keep a look-out for Mitchell Brown (SPC 2002-06, PY 2007) who is seeking a second AFL chance. Read more at this link

• Matt Johnston (SPC 2009-14) will change his BFL allegiance to East Point for the 2018 footy season. To read more, go to this link

• Read about the stunning transformation by Ballarat architect Nathan Porter (SPC 1992-97) of a 1940s Lake Wendouree home at this link

• Congratulations to Garth Kydd (SPC 1995-2000) who has been appointed as Co-Principal of St James’ Parish School, Sebastopol in 2018. Garth is currently Foundation Classroom teacher and Religious Education Leader at St James’, where he has taught since 2013. Prior to that Garth has taught at schools in North Fitzroy, Kyabram, London and Blackburn and has fulfilled various roles in his teaching career such as a Leader of Physical Education, Student Welfare, Leadership Team, ICT Curriculum Coordinator and has lectured to university students in Health/Physical Education. Well done Garth!

• Well done also to Crows’ star Matt Crouch (SPC 2008-13) for winning the Adelaide Football Club Best and Fairest Award. For more, go to this link

• Congratulations to Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15) again for winning the AFL Goal of the Year! Great to see Daniel is also using his recent AFL successes to help others in the community, becoming an official supporter of the Have a Ball Foundation, alongside his premiership winning coach, Damien Hardwick. The Have a Ball Foundation aims to raise funds towards the health and well-being of indigenous kids in need in remote parts of Australia.

• The Tigers’ premiership ignites other memories, including that of Barry Richardson (SPC 1961-64) who played in Richmond’s 1967 flag team. For more, go to this link

• What a massive achievement for our SPC boys with five Old Collegians playing in the 2017 AFL Grand Final -“ Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15), Dan Butler (SPC 2009-14) and Shaun Grigg (SPC 2001-06) in the triumphant Richmond Tigers’ colours as well as brothers Matt (SPC 2008-13) and Brad Crouch (SPC 2006-11) for the Adelaide Crows. All five certainly made St Patrick’s proud! Dan tells of his elation at this link– while Shaun opens up at his link– with more at this link– and this link. Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad, tell of their excitement leading up to the grand final at this link and- this link– and- we hear about the brothers from those who know them at this link

• Josh Brown (SPC 2003-08) has taken on the cricket captaincy at East Ballarat this season and has high hopes. To read more, go to this link

• Great to see Jack Denahy (SPC 2011-14, PY2016) is closing in on a Commonwealth Games berth, to read more, go to this link

• Congratulations to Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) who had the dual honour of opening the Berlin Marathon Hall of Fame and being recognized as one of its inaugural inductees. To read more, go to this link