OVA Annual Dinner

After the disappointment of the cancellation of the 2021 dinner due to the COVID lockdown, this year’s event went ahead with a goodly number present. 

The Association was finally able to induct Dr Martin Scurrah, Greg McNamara (dec. 2015), Dr Leighton Kearney and Jack Riewoldt onto the St Virgil’s College Heritage Roll of Honour. Martin and Leighton travelled from interstate to receive their awards, and Greg’s younger son, Paul, came from Sydney to accept the posthumous award on behalf of the family, and Jack, unable to be present, sent a video acknowledgement of his inclusion onto the roll.

The Association was honoured to have Hon. Doug Lowe  AM (svc 1950-59) propose the ‘Toast to the College’ (pictured above).

Jacinta Waddington and two of her three children – Tilly and Tadhg – were guests of the Association at the function. The Association had determined to confer Honorary Life Membership of the Association on Mark Waddington (Director of Development at St Virgil’s College from 2012- 2022) in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the Association. Sadly Mark passed away before the award was conferred.

Former SVC Principal, Damian Messer, a close friend and valued colleague of Mark’s for over a decade, accepted the Association’s invitation to speak to the enormous contribution Mark had made to the College and its Old Boys Association and to present the award to the Waddington family.

One further touch was to display two plaques that had been prepared for addition to the Centenary History Centre (shown below) – permanent reminder of the contributions of Mark and Damian to St Virgil’s College.

Dr  Leighton Kearney receiving his award from the OVA Chaplain, Fr Mike Delaney,   who himself had been inducted onto Heritage Roll in 2015.

Paul McNamara (SVC 1988-93) receiving the posthumous award on behalf of his father, Greg (1950-60 d. 2015).  The presenter is former Tasmanian Supreme Court Judge, Pierre Slicer (SVC 1951-60).  Pierre, who was a classmate of Greg’s, was added to the Heritage Roll in 2019.

Former Premier of Tasmania and 2007 Heritage Roll inductee, Hon. Doug Lowe presenting Dr Martin Scurrah with his award.  Martin attended the College from 1951-58.