Heritage Roll of Honour Inductees for 2024

The following three gentlemen will be inducted onto the Old Virgilians Heritage Roll of Honour at the Annual dinner on 11 October. The Association acknowledges their achievements and congratulates them on being chosen for this award. (The June 2023 edition of OVAtion outlined the selection process for selecting the inductees.) 

GEOFF DOOLAN  (SVC 1946-55)

Geoff commenced at the College in 1946, matriculating in 1955, and has maintained an ongoing association for the past 67 years.

The Doolan family’s connection with St Virgil’s College dates back to its very beginnings. His father, Eric Doolan, attended the College in its first year in 1911, and in due course, his three sons — Ron, Ian, and Geoff — would follow.

Geoff was part of the graduating class of 1955 — a class that produced five of the top 20 places in the matriculation examinations in Tasmania. This same group has held a formal reunion every five years for the past forty years (and less formally prior), with Geoff serving as the secretary and organiser of these gatherings.

After a brief two-year sojourn at University, Geoff worked for the Australian Tax Office from 1957 to 1989. He then formed his own company, which specialised in property syndications and self-managed superannuation funds. In 2003, he sold the business and retired.

Geoff married Kathleen (Kate) Hicks in January 1970, and they have three children: Craig (SVC 1965-90), who is a Chief Officer in the Merchant Marine; Erica, a nurse; and Leanne, a physiotherapist.

He served as President of the St Virgil’s Parents & Friends Association for a period and was the Secretary of the first SVC Board of Management from 1989 to 1990, during which time he, along with two other volunteers, developed the Board’s Constitution.

In 1954, hockey became part of the College’s sporting landscape under the guidance of the Catholic Hockey Club (formerly the Catholic Games Club and eventually morphing into the Diamondbacks). Geoff was a member of the SVC senior hockey team. After school, he continued with hockey and coached SVC hockey teams until about 1990.

Dinghy sailing, ocean racing, yacht restoration, and administration have been significant ‘distractions’ for much of Geoff’s life.

Geoff and Kate purchased the 37’ ketch “ISIS,” and it had many sailing adventures, including trips to Port Davey and up to Flinders Island. He crewed in Cadet Dinghies from 1951 to 1957, representing Tasmania in 1956 in Adelaide in “Falcon” for the Stonehaven Cup (the year of the Olympics in Melbourne). Geoff won 1st Division yachting at the Royal Hobart Regatta in 1959 in “Tula” and won the Shipwrights Point New Year's Day Regatta on 1st January 1960. He crewed on “Nell Gwyn” for 13 years (1960-73), including three Sydney Hobarts. He was also the Sailing Master on “Anaconda” for five years (completing two Sydney Hobarts and two Westcoasters) and received the 1977 State Government Trophy for “Westcoaster” Line Honours as Navigator. In total, he sailed in ten Sydney-Hobarts, two West Coasters, three Brisbane-Gladstones, and undertook the interstate delivery of many yachts. He also raced in Ford Week at Cork, Southern Ireland.

He acted as navigator and mother ship radio operator for two Round Tasmania events and has cruised the coastlines of Turkey, Greece, and Croatia. Geoff was adept at using a sextant in the earlier days before GPS became prevalent.

Geoff was involved in the restoration of the 28’ Huon Pine gaff-rigged “SAO” (launched in Launceston in 1898). Both “ISIS” and “SAO” were exhibited multiple times at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

In reviewing the St Virgil’s Yearbooks, it appears that the College’s involvement in sailing dates back to 1979, with its participation in Schools’ sailing competitions being facilitated by interested parents and various local sailing clubs.

Brother Peter Flint (SVC staff 1998-2018) and Geoff became instrumental in changing the profile and operation of sailing at the College.

In 2006, the College acquired six pacers and a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). The RIB was a necessity for the safe oversight of the emerging sailors. These craft were housed at the Austins Ferry Yacht Club (AFYC). Much of the cost associated with the acquisition of this craft was made possible through a generous benefactor, with Geoff and Kate being trustees of the fund.

In 2016, with the AFYC no longer viable, St Virgil’s initially rented the facility. After extensive negotiations with the AFYC and the State Government, the lease on the land was reallocated, and the site was rebranded as the ‘SVC Marine Education Centre’ (MEC).

The MEC now houses 12 yachts and two support craft (RIBs). In addition to the six pacers, Geoff facilitated the purchase of six Sabot dinghies from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

Geoff’s role in the acquisition of the Centre and the associated equipment, his mentoring of students in this sport, and his involvement in the ongoing maintenance necessary for the Centre’s operation have been enormous. St Virgil’s and its students are the beneficiaries of his significant contributions.

ENRICO DIVENUTO (SVC 1959-68)

Enrico’s work as a concreting contractor enabled him to have the flexibility to work with the students of his alma mater.

In 1959, a young lad by the name of Enrico DiVenuto commenced a ten-year journey through the College. Above all else, the yearbooks from that period attest to his love of sport and his related achievements. He played 1st XVIII football for three years (1966–68), captaining the team for two of those years, and played 1st XI cricket for a similar period, captaining the side in his final year. He was also a Prefect that year.

Enrico married Elizabeth Pearce, and they have three children: Peter, Michael, and Lisa. Elizabeth later taught at the College from 1983 to 1996.

Both Peter (SVC 1982-87) and Michael (SVC 1986-91) followed in their father’s footsteps with their love of sport and emulated his significant achievements at the College. Peter played in the 1st XVIII for two years, was runner-up in the Best & Fairest in 1986, and was captain and Best & Fairest the following year. He spent three years with the 1st XI, captained in 1987, and that year won both the batting and bowling averages. Michael played in the 1st XVIII for two years, winning the Best & Fairest awards in both years. He had four years with the 1st XI, captained for two, and won the batting average in all four (averaging 107 runs in 1990).

The College was the beneficiary of Enrico’s coaching as his boys passed through it—initially as an ‘under-age’ coach and then as senior coach of both cricket (1988-90) and football (1989-90). In 1988, St Virgil’s drew with Grammar in the State cricket final and were premiers the following year. In 1990, Enrico coached the 1st XVIII to a state premiership.

Enrico’s sporting involvements did not diminish upon leaving School — initially as a footballer with Hobart FC and later with the Old Virgilians. He spent 16 years with Geilston Bay in the Southern Suburban Cricket Association, during which time he was captain/coach of both the club side and the Association representative side. His club side won eight premierships during that period.

He went on to be appointed Club Coach/Director of Coaching at the North Hobart Cricket Club in 1988 — a position he was to hold for the next seven seasons, a very successful period for that club in terms of premierships won. During this time, both his sons were members of the club’s senior side. From there, he took on the coaching job at the University Cricket Club for thirteen seasons, again with considerable success. During the period 1988-2009, he was involved in winning seven State cups in various forms of the game. Along the way, he gained Level 3 Cricket Coaching Accreditation. Enrico held the positions of Manager and/or Coach with several State Under-Age Teams and was part of the Tasmanian Senior coaching panel for two seasons.

Enrico excelled as a football coach as well, gaining Level 2 Coaching Accreditation in 1986. He had a long association with the Sandy Bay Football Club (1987–94), during which time he held the positions of thirds coach, reserves coach, and senior bench coach. At various times, he was chairman of selectors, player welfare officer, recruiting officer, and officer-in-charge of player contracts.

Such an enormous contribution to community sports has not gone unnoticed. Enrico has been awarded life memberships of the Geilston Bay Cricket Club, the Southern Suburban Cricket Association, and the University Cricket Club. In 1991, he was awarded the Sandy Bay Football Club Certificate of Merit. He was named Coach of the Cricket Tasmania Team of the Decade (1986-95) and, in 2016, he was awarded the Cricket Tasmania Chairman’s Merit Award for outstanding service to coaching in the Tasmanian Premier League.

In 2000, Enrico was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contributions to sport.

Prominent former student Olympians Simon Hollingsworth (athletics) and Scott Brennan (rowing gold medallist) attribute much of their success to their individual mentors, Kevin Prendergast and Sam LeCompte, respectively. Peter and Michael DiVenuto have had stellar careers in their chosen sports—both would attribute so much to Enrico, their father and mentor.

At the 2021 Cricket Tasmania Premier League (CTPL) awards night, Enrico DiVenuto was inducted into the Cricket Tasmania Hall of Fame.

CHRIS WRIGHT (SVC 1966-73)

Chris, born in July 1956, is the son of Geoff (SVC 1944-48) and Margaret Bresnehan (SMC 1941-45) and spent his early years in Otago Bay and Lindisfarne.

The family moved to Rosebery in 1960, with Geoff working for the Electrolytic Zinc Company and continuing his football as a coach/player with West Coast teams Toorak and Smelters, where he had the unique experience of playing on the famed Queenstown gravel oval. Before his relocation, Geoff had played more than 100 games with the Clarence FC.

The family spent six years in Rosebery, and Chris attended St Joseph’s Convent.

The family returned to Hobart in 1966, and Chris began his SVC life at Barrack Street in Year 5. He then continued at Austins Ferry during the train and cadet days for Years 7, 8, and 9, returning to Barrack Street for Years 10, 11, and 12. He loved School and sport and matriculated in 1973. He was a prefect in his final year and played in two State SATIS football premiership teams under a great coach, Stuart Spencer.

Chris commenced his career in HVAC (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning) in January 1974 with local mechanical contractor Ray Taylor as a cadet engineer and gained six years’ experience in design, construction, and drafting.

He then moved into consulting engineering to gain more design experience while completing a Mechanical Services design qualification in 1981, after many years of night school.

In late 1982, he returned to the contracting industry with Angus MacLeod at TCM and remained a part of the company until his recent semi-retirement after 50 years in the HVAC industry.

During his working life, Chris’s achievements were:

• Director of TCM from 1987 to 2023. TCM is a leading Mechanical Services Contracting and Maintenance Company working in the commercial building sector in Tasmania since 1967.
• NEBB (National Environmental Balancing Bureau) Professional accreditation in 1992.
• NEBB Australia President from 2010 to 2021 and Australian Representative on the NEBB (USA) International Board from 2012 to 2018.
• TACA Australia (Testing & Commissioning Association) President from 2021 to the present.
• AMCA (Air Conditioning & Mechanical Contractors Association) Tasmanian President from 2011 to 2012. AMCA National Board Member from 2011 to 2019.
• AMCA National President from 2016 to 2017 (the first and only Tasmanian to hold the office).
• Inducted into the ARBS Australia (Air Conditioning Refrigeration & Building Services Industry) Hall of Fame in August 2022.
• Retirement will see some involvement in Mechanical Services teaching with TasTAFE.

In August 2002, Chris joined the SVC Building Committee and has continued to this day, serving as Chairman since 2005. He has been involved in a series of major developments at the College, culminating in the new Year 11-12 complex completed in 2023.

In March 2005, Chris joined the St Virgil’s College Board — a journey that continues. He has served with Principals Chris Smith, Damien Messer, acting principal Heidi Senior, and now Jon Franzin through some great years in the history of the College.

In 2023, Chris joined the OVA committee as a St Virgil’s College Board member to maintain effective communication between the OVA and the College.

In 2005, AFL Tasmania, ‘in its wisdom,’ terminated school underage team involvement in the Southern Tasmanian Football League. A connection was established with the Hobart Football Club, wherein SVC lads could play together. In effecting this unwanted transition, Chris was invited to join the Hobart Board to facilitate the association of the College with the club. He remained on the HFC Board until 2017 and was awarded life membership of the club in 2018. (Chris had grown up as an avid Clarence supporter, as his father, Geoff, started playing there the year of Chris’s birth and went on to play over 100 senior games with the team. Geoff was awarded Life Membership of the Clarence Football Club.)

Chris played football with the OVA from 1974 to 1981, subject to night school commitments, and also had a year or two playing cricket with the OVA.

Chris has three daughters, one son, and two step-sons. His son, Matthew, attended St Virgil’s from 1993-96, as did step-sons Aaron Clark (2001-04) and Dion Clark (2005-08), and three grandchildren.