St Pat’s News

We were notified of the passing of Old Collegian Michael (Mick) Joseph Griffin (SPC 1952-53) back on 1 July 2021. Michael was a day student who was at SPC for two years, completing sub-intermediate B class, along with his brother Peter (SPC 1949). We extend our condolences to Michael’s family, including his wife Carmel, children…

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joseph Francis (Frank) Hutchinson (SPC 1945-47, PY1948) on 16 March 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday on 28 March. Frank’s mother died when he was 13; and a few months later, he completed Grade 8 at the Landsborough public school. Frank initially boarded at St…

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Old Boy Peter Golla (SPC 1979-81) on 4 April 2024. Peter was well known in the music scene, especially for his Neil Diamond tribute show which he toured Australia with. He also sung a number of times on “Good Morning Australia” with Bert Newton. Peter’s mother…

This year marks 130 years of athletics at St Patrick’s College. So, how did athletics begin? In 1893, Br Ryan, despite his disappointment that the College couldn’t hold an athletics competition, vowed to change this. His unwavering determination led to the first athletics carnival in 1894 at Eastern Oval—the competition, though not fiercely competitive, with…

Former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks AC recently launched a biography of Old Collegian John James Sheehan (SPC 1925-1932), focusing on his special connection to the Ballarat community, education, politics, and the Catholic faith. Sheehan’s son Mark Sheehan (SPC 1969-1977), wrote the book, which began as a research project and evolved into a biography acknowledging his…

The College recently reconnected with Old Collegian Kyle Faulkhead (SPC 2014-19) who returned for his Five-Year Reunion earlier this term and has many fond memories of his time at SPC.   Where has life taken you since leaving SPC? Life after St Pat’s has taken me to find my current job at Platinum Institute Australia…

A SPC First XVIII Football jumper made an appearance at the NBA recently! Old Collegian Anthony Buckle (SPC 1991-92) went to America recently with his eldest son Lockie and wore his First XVIII jumper to the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA game. Needless to say, Anthony says he got a few strange looks!!…

Around 60 Old Collegians gathered at the College recently to celebrate their 30-Year Class Reunion. Old Collegians travelled far and wide to attend, coming as far as Hong Kong, to reconnect with former classmates and enjoy the opportunity to catch up and reminisce. Much-loved staff member Colleen Pope was also present and shared many funny…

We were thrilled to welcome back several Old Collegians for a tour around the College recently. Terry Gastin (SPC 1967-70), Bernie Colbert (SPC 1965-67, PY1968), Peter McGuire (SPC 1962, PY1965) and Peter Hillier made the most of the opportunity to walk the hallways and grounds with us during a day trip to Ballarat to play…