OVAtions

Vale:  Geoff 'Parry' O'Brien (SVC 1958-63)

25.08.1944 – 05.09.2013 

Information was received recently that ‘Parry’ had passed sometime in 2023. I was finally able to find confirmation of his passing in the Latrobe Valley Times – the details provided in the Obituary section.

 

Parry hailed from Sorell and boarded at the College. He excelled at football and cricket. He captained the First XVIII in 1963 – the team won the southern title but was defeated by Grammar in the Island premiership.

 

The 1963 team is shown below along with a picture taken from the Mercury showing Parry meeting with the captain of the College’s 1913 team – Urban Haley.

 

A span of 50 years separated the captaincy of the St Virgil’s College football teams for Mr Urban Haley (left) and Geoff O’Brien. Mr Haley led the team to the 2023 State premiership match against Launceston School, and Geoff led the College team in its meeting with the same school on Saturday.
A span of 50 years separated the captaincy of the St Virgil’s College football teams for Mr Urban Haley (left) and Geoff O’Brien. Mr Haley led the team to the 2023 State premiership match against Launceston School, and Geoff led the College team in its meeting with the same school on Saturday.

 

Back row: Paddy Shortall, Barry McDonald, Michael Fagan, Robin Pennicott, Mark Holliday, Eddie Gotowski, Tom O.Merara, Ken Last Middle Row: Ross Jeffrey, David Direen, Mike Reynolds*, Alistair McCulloch, Tony Fahey*, Jeff Ransley, Tony Williams*, Paul Kelly, Sean Kelly, Michael Byrne* Front row: Steve Mitchell*, Jeff Gaunt*, Wayne Fooks*(VC), Geoff O’Brien *(Capt.) David Coventry, Max Corney, Graeme Rainbow  (* denotes deceased)
Back row: Paddy Shortall, Barry McDonald, Michael Fagan, Robin Pennicott, Mark Holliday, Eddie Gotowski, Tom O.Merara, Ken Last Middle Row: Ross Jeffrey, David Direen, Mike Reynolds*, Alistair McCulloch, Tony Fahey*, Jeff Ransley, Tony Williams*, Paul Kelly, Sean Kelly, Michael Byrne* Front row: Steve Mitchell*, Jeff Gaunt*, Wayne Fooks*(VC), Geoff O’Brien *(Capt.) David Coventry, Max Corney, Graeme Rainbow  (* denotes deceased)