St Pat’s News
Laurence (Laurie) James Erwin (SPC 1949-53)
We were notified of the passing of Old Collegian Laurence (Laurie) James Erwin (SPC 1949-53), who sadly passed away on August 8, 2020 aged 85 years. Laurie was born in Geelong and lived most of his life in Malua Bay and then on a farm at Young, in New South Wales. Laurie was a boarder…
Damian van der Linden (SPC 1978-82)
We express our deepest sympathy to the family of Damian van der Linden (SPC 1978-82) who sadly passed away on September 10, 2020. A Requiem Mass was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat and the service conducted by Father James Kerr (SPC 2000-05). Damian was a day student from Sulky, near Creswick. He was…
Gavan Connell (SPC 1961-68)
We are very sad to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Gavan Connell (SPC 1961-68), aged 70, who died of a heart attack on October 9 in Mexico, where Gavan has lived with his wife Lorenna in Merida, Yacatan, for the last 20 years. The couple have a 14-year-old daughter Alexandra together and Gavan…
John Colbert (SPC 1944-47)
We extend our deepest sympathy to the extended family of Old Collegian John Colbert (SPC 1944-47) who passed away peacefully on October 27, 2020 aged 90. John came to St Patrick’s on a scholarship from the family farm at Watchem with his brothers Patrick (SPC 1945-48, PY1950) and Vincent (SPC 1951-55). John helped celebrate the…
Jim Mather (SPC 1999-2002)
The College received the horrific news that Old Collegian Jim Mather (SPC 1999-2002) and his wife, Sabine, were killed in a car accident on November 1, 2020 on the Bussell Highway near Capel in Western Australia. They had been in Margaret River to celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary. The couple leave behind a family of…
John Sharry (SPC 1944-46, PY1948)
John Sharry (SPC 1944-46, PY1948) sadly passed away on November 17 in Ballarat, aged 89 years. Tributes from family and friends said they would miss John’s sense of humour and kind and caring nature and he was described as a “truly compassionate and generous gentleman”. John was a boarder at SPC from Horsham. He attended…
Michael (Mick) Maher (SPC 1961-68)
We pass on our condolences to the family and friends of former boarder Michael (Mick) Maher (SPC 1961-68) who died on January 5 following a battle with cancer. Michael attended SPC along with his two older brothers Xavier (SPC 1961-67) and Damien (SPC 1960-62, PY1964,) and younger brother Francis (Sonny) (SPC 1964-72). Michael and his…
Maxwell (Max) Brandenburg (SPC 1944-47)
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Maxwell (Max) Brandenburg (SPC 1944-47), who sadly died on January 7, 2021 and is survived by his loving wife Maureen of 65 years, and children Anthony (Tony) (SPC 1969-74), Michael (SPC 1974-79), Jane and families. Max, aged 90, was grandfather to nine, including Old Collegians Tyler…
Fr Frank Ferrie (SPC 1948, PY1949)
Fr Frank Ferrie (SPC 1948, PY1949) died on November 9, 2020 after spending his life dedicated to others as a Columban Missionary in Korea for over half a century. A Requiem Mass was held at Columban House, in Jeju City, Korea where Fr Frank called home. There were two Bishops and 60 priests in attendance…
Herbert (Bert) Elton Hassall (SPC 1938-42)
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Herbert (Bert) Elton Hassall (SPC 1938-42) on September 10, 2020, in Mildura, aged 95 years, surrounded by his family. Herbert, or Bert as he was known to his schoolmates and Herb, in later life, was the loving husband of 56 years to Joan, their…