Green, White and Blue - Issue 71

Welcome to our Green, White and Blue newsletter

Welcome to our second edition of the "Green, White and Blue" e-newsletter for St Patrick's College Old Collegians for 2025. We welcome any new Old Collegians to our e-newsletter. From Term 2, the "Green, White and Blue" will be distributed at the end of each school term and is full of news for and about our Old Collegians. We hope you enjoy!

Class of 2015 reunion celebrating 10 years on 

It was terrific to welcome back to SPC the Class of 2015 to celebrate their 10-Year Reunion on Saturday night. It was a night of reconnecting, reminiscing and catching up with old friends in the OCA Pavilion.

Notice of OCA Annual General Meeting

Old Collegians are hereby invited to the Annual General Meeting of the St Patrick's College Old Collegians' Association on - 

Date: Monday 19 May 2025 

Time: 7.30pm

Location: St Patrick's College, 1431 Sturt St, Newington VIC 3350

Virtual (online) option is also available. 

The AGM will cover the following key items:

• Review of the past year's activities and achievements
• Financial report and budget overview
• Election of Board members
• Discussion of upcoming events and initiatives

Your attendance and participation are highly encouraged as the OCA continues to strengthen its network and create meaningful connections within the community. Should you wish to submit any agenda items or have any questions before the meeting, please contact OCA Executive Officer Dean Hackwill on 5331 1688 or RSVP by clicking the button below.

Community out in force at St Patrick's Day Lunch

The St Patrick’s Day spirit was truly on show this year with a large crowd coming together for our popular annual St Patrick’s Day lunch on 17 March 2025. 

New friendships were made and long-lost connections rediscovered in this wonderful display of community. We welcomed back three reunion groups, the Class of 1975 for their 50-Year Reunion, the Class of 1965 for their 60-Year Reunion, and a special reuniting of the Class of 1955 Intermediate A celebrating their 70th anniversary.

College Legend donates his cap and singlet

Thank you to College Legend John Mooney OAM (SPC 1960-65), who donated his immaculately pristine SPC cap and athletics singlet from his school days to the College archives while recently attending our SPC St Patrick's Day Lunch. 

Huge thanks also to College archivist Halina Sztynda for providing a fabulous array of SPC memorabilia at the lunch as well as a display of the College timeline, which is available to view in the College’s emerging History & Heritage Space, located next to front reception.

Class of 1975 reunite for 50-Year Reunion 

We were thrilled to welcome back members of the Class of 1975 for their 'half-century' reunion as part of our St Patrick's Day Lunch celebrations on 17 March. 

1975 College Captain Brian Brown officially welcomed members back to the College, thanking those who travelling long distances to reconnect in person.

Brian recalled wondering what he was doing when he came to SPC as "a boarder in these cold chilly dormitories and often cold showers". However that soon changed as he got involved in school sport and the study program and many of the students in his year level are "still some of my closest mates". 

He paid a heartfelt tribute to members of the Class of 1975 who have sadly passed away, and urged his former classmates to have a great day.

Stories abound at Class of 1965 60-Year Reunion

It was fabulous to welcome members of our Class of 1965 back for their 60-Year Reunion, also held as part of our St Patrick's Day celebrations. Former classmates travelled near and far, including interstate, to catch up and reminisce on 17 March. 

We were very pleased to welcome 1965 College Captain Frank Vagg, who in turn, officially welcomed and thanked his cohort for returning to renew friendships. 

Special day for Class of 1955 Intermediate A

It was extra special to welcome eight members of the 1955 Intermediate A Class to the St Patrick's Day Lunch to celebrate their 70-year anniversary.

And for the majority of this small group, it was the first time they had sat side by side since their school days.

Obituaries

St Patrick's College honours those Old Boys who have sadly left us and recognises their contribution to the life of the College and to broader society in general. The College received news in recent times that these Old Collegians have passed away, including:

• Richard (Dick) Lythgo, pictured above 

   

  We send our condolences to Old Collegian Andrew Watson (SPC 1982-87 & former staff) and his extended family on the passing of his father Jim recently.

   

  Our deepest sympathy to the extended family of former staff member Cheryl Strybosch, who will be remembered by our many alumni. Cheryl passed away on 11 March following a courageous battle with cancer. Cheryl brought a lot of fun and laughter to the College community during her time as Joint Canteen Manager. She commenced her work at the College in 1999 and retired in 2016. She epitomised our pillar of Joy in her words and actions and will be remembered fondly by generations of students, parents and many colleagues and friends. Our  condolences to her extended family, including son John (SPC 1995-2000) and grandson Kolby (SPC 2019-24).

   

  Please click on the button below to read more about these much-missed members of our community.

Flanagan Art Prize makes triumphant return to SPC

The Flanagan Art Prize made a triumphant return this year, with winners announced at a spectacular gala opening at St Patrick’s College.

More than 150 guests attended the event, celebrating the exceptional artistic talent on display in the highly anticipated exhibition, which was held in the Old Collegians’ Association Pavilion.

Tasmanian artist Paul Snell was awarded the $10,000 Flanagan Art Prize for his ethereal chromogenic print, Bleed #202337. This marks Snell’s second time winning the prestigious prize, having first taken home the award in 2012.

Old Collegian Wayne Elliott (SPC 1971-74) received the runner-up Panel Prize for his acrylic painting, Yepereyne/Emily Gap, a joyous work inspired the landscapes of central Australia.

What have our Old Boys been up to lately...

Congratulations to Tom Foley (SPC 2017-22) and Austin Reinehr (SPC 2018-21), pictured above, on their incredible victory with the Victorian state crew in the prestigious King’s Cup at the Nationals! Click on the button below to read this great story along with more stories about some of other Old Boys, who have made the news recently.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK - To keep fully up to date with all happenings in and around the College and the OCA we strongly encourage you to like our Facebook page and join the thousands of members of our community already receiving regular updates into their daily news feed, simply click on this link - https://www.facebook.com/spcoca/

Mons Peter Jeffrey retires after 61 years of service

Congratulations to Old Collegian Monsignor Peter Jeffrey (SPC 1953-55), who retired after over six decades of faithful service and retired from official appointments in early February. 

Mons Jeffrey has dedicated 61 years to the priesthood and has been parish priest at Mooroopna for the last 10 years. He chose to continue to spread the word of God even though he was already eligible for retirement when he was appointed to Mooroopna. 

In his 61 years of priesthood, Mons Jeffrey has served in five parishes of the Diocese - Cohuna, Beechworth, Heathcote, Shepparton and Mooroopna; and has also been the Rector of three seminaries - Melbourne, Fiji and New Zealand. 

Paddies Autumn Seasonal Lunch a great success

The Paddies Autumn Seasonal Lunch in March was another highly enjoyable day out for our Old Collegians. Held at the Emerald Hotel in south Melbourne, the lunches are held at the start of each season for Old Collegians. The lunches start at 12 noon for a 12.30pm gathering. RSVP for the June lunch to organisers Michael Dowd (SPC 1964-69) at mjdowd@hotmail.com or via phone on 0407 680 682 or Noel Sheehan (SPC 1964-70) at noel@stafforgserv.com.au or via phone on 0418 509 809. 

An invitation is also extended to members of the Class of 1973 to join the Winter lunch to celebrate 'turning 70'. There are around a dozen committed to attending already and they would love to see more there. There is even a whisper that there may be an extension of the celebrations, given that the Flemington races are on the following day. For more details about this Class of 1973 get-together, please call Pat Timmons on 0431 374 546 or email patrick@pctimmons.com

2025 PADDIES SEASONAL LUNCH DATES: Winter Lunch - 6 June; Spring Lunch - 5 September; Summer - 5 December. 

Is your Class Reunion still to come in 2025

Make sure you pop these dates in your diary if you have a Class Reunion coming up this year!

Hosted by our Old Collegians' Association, we've already welcomed back the Class of 2015 for their 10-Year Reunion, Class of 1965 for their 60-Year Reunion, Class of 1975 for their 50-Year Reunion and Class of 1985 for their 40-Year Reunion.

We still have the four Class Reunions pictured above to go! 

We look forward to seeing as many Old Collegians back for their Class Reunion to renew friendships and reminisce about your school days at St Patrick's College.

We warmly welcome all Old Boys, including those who may have only been at SPC for a short time and may not have had the opportunity to finish your senior years.

We also encourage you to forward these dates onto any Old Boys who may be interested, and to ensure your contact details are up-to-date before we send out invitations via email. 

It is crucial we have your up-to-date contact details to keep you updated with our reunion communications, so we urge you to update your contact details please by simply clicking on the button below.

Jubb family check out picket on Main Oval fence

Old Collegian Alan Jubb (SPC 1954-59) and his wife Pat are regular attendees at our SPC get-togethers and they were delighted to check out their personalised plaque on the Main Oval picket fence in person when they attended our St Patrick's Day Lunch earlier this term. 

You can purchase your own picket and record your own lasting memory by clicking on the button below.

Etch your name into our performing arts

A special opportunity also exists to etch your name into the future of performing arts at St Patrick's College. Old Collegians are warmly encouraged to consider "buying a seat" in the upper level of the auditorium - complete with your personalised plaque.

To find out more, please click on the button below.

SPC captures historic ACC cricket win

Congratulations to our 1st XI cricket team on their historic win against St Joseph's College Geelong in the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) grand final on the SPC Main Oval last week. After a shaky start, the Paddy boys steadied to secure their first ACC senior cricket premiership! 

2025 Respect Cup - celebration of so much more

The 2025 Respect Cup was more than just a game of football – it was a celebration of inclusivity, respect, and the power of sport to bring people together.

Held at GMHBA Stadium in mid-March, the event once again saw St Patrick’s College, St Joseph’s College, Sacred Heart College and Loreto College unite in a shared commitment to gender equality and recognition of women’s achievements in sport.