We were notified of the passing of former day student Peter Hackwill (SPC 1945-52) in Canberra on July 14, 2020 aged 84 years, by Peter’s niece Leah Monaghan.
Peter attended St Patrick’s College in the late 40s and early 50s along with his brothers Gavan (SPC 1945-51) (dec), Brendon (SPC 1953-54, PY1956) (dec) and Harry (SPC 1947-1953, PY1955). The Hackwill brothers were full-time boarders from Welshpool, in south Gippsland.
Peter was very active in sport at SPC, in athletics, football, basketball and cricket. Notably, Peter was a member of the Ballarat Public Schools Championship Athletic Team in 1951 and was talented in the running events, hurdles, high jump and broad jump. He was also a member of the Cricket Second XI, Football First XVIII and Second XVIII where Peter was described in the 1952 College Annual as showing “ability and versatility by serving well in different positions”. He also played in the Treacy House A Grade Oval competition premiership side and was a member of the Sodality of Our Lady in 1952.
Three of the brothers are now represented at St Patrick’s through five grandsons, including Leah’s two sons (Gavan’s grandsons), Brendan (Year 7) and Andrew (Year 10), along with Brendon Hackwill (Year 7) who is Brendon’s grandson and Jeremy and Reuben Hackwill (Year 7) who are Harry’s grandsons.
Brendon’s sons Richard (SPC 1982-87) and Dean (SPC 1988-93) are also Old Boys of the College.
Peter is survived by his wife Trish and children Gerard, Therese, Andrew and Rachel and four grandchildren.
A Requiem Mass was held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Curtain, ACT on July 20.
