Green, White and Blue - Issue 68

Welcome to our Green, White and Blue newsletter

Welcome to our sixth edition of the "Green, White and Blue" e-newsletter for St Patrick's College Old Collegians for 2024. We welcome any new Old Collegians to our e-newsletter. The "Green, White and Blue" is produced twice a school term and is full of news for and about our Old Collegians. We hope you enjoy!

Join us as we celebrate our great achievers 

The Old Collegians' Association is delighted to extend a warm invitation to our 2024 Annual Celebration Dinner, to be held next Saturday, 9 November 2024 at the College's OCA Pavilion, overlooking the Main Oval, where we look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of a number of special members of our SPC community including specialist sports physiotherapist Peter Caine (SPC 1983-88), orthopaedic surgeon Prof Tim Whitehead (SPC 1982-87) and decorated war fighter pilot ace and Qantas co-founder, the late Paul McGinness (SPC 1910-11) who will be inducted as College Legends; physiotherapist Liam Toohey (SPC 2003-08) as our Young Achiever and longtime teacher Barry Schuurs (SPC 1972-77), who will receive the Facere et Docere staff award. 

Tickets are priced at $70 per person and we urge you to purchase your tickets by this Friday to help us with our catering. 

LEGEND - Peter Caine (SPC 1983-88)

We are delighted to announce Peter Caine will be inducted as a Legend of St Patrick's College this year. Peter's outstanding achievements as a Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, including his work with the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia and multiple Olympic Games, exemplify the spirit of excellence and service that defines an SPC Legend. Join us in honouring Peter and celebrating his significant contributions to sports medicine and the wider community. His dedication and accomplishments serve as an inspiration to current students and alumni alike. Don't miss this special evening as we recognise Peter's remarkable journey from SPC student to College Legend! 

LEGEND - Tim Whitehead (SPC 1982-87)

We are proud to announce Professor Tim Whitehead will also be inducted as a Legend in 2024. The SPC Legend Award honours extraordinary Old Collegians who have made significant contributions to their community, state, or nation. Tim is an internationally-recognised orthopaedic surgeon, particularly noted for his pioneering research in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. His extensive career includes completing two prestigious fellowships in Canada and becoming a fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 2003.

Tim's work has not only advanced the field of knee surgery but has also earned him numerous awards and recognition, including the Albert Trillat Young Investigator Award at the ISAKOS conference. He currently serves as an honorary professor at the SPRINT Research Centre, where he collaborates on groundbreaking research that aims to enhance patient outcomes in orthopaedic rehabilitation. Please join us as we honour Tim!

LEGEND - Paul McGinness (SPC 1910-11)

Old Collegian Paul Joseph McGinness will be posthumously inducted as a Legend this year. Paul McGinness exemplifies the extraordinary achievements and contributions that the SPC Legend Award celebrates. As a co-founder of Qantas, Australia's national airline, Paul made a significant impact on our nation's aviation history and global connectivity.

His remarkable military service during World War I, where he became a flying ace with seven aerial victories, earned him both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. These accolades highlight his bravery and skill in service to his country. Paul's visionary idea of an aerial service across Australia, which led to the formation of Qantas, demonstrates his innovative spirit and lasting influence on Australian transportation and commerce.

Join us in honouring this extraordinary Old Collegian whose achievements have left an indelible mark on our nation's history.

YOUNG ACHIEVER - Liam Toohey (SPC 2003-08)

Congratulations to Dr Liam Toohey, recipient of the 2024 St Patrick's College Young Achiever Award. Liam has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to sports medicine and injury prevention.

Since graduating, Liam has achieved a PhD in injury prevention; worked at the Australian Institute of Sport; volunteered at the Commonwealth Games; published groundbreaking research and been awarded a Fellowship by the Australian Sports Medicine Federation.

Join us in recognising Liam's remarkable journey from SPC student to respected physiotherapist and researcher at our 2024 SPC Celebration Dinner.

FACERE ET DOCERE - Barry Schuurs 

Barry Schuurs will be honoured with the prestigious Facere et Docere Award at the St Patrick's College Celebration Dinner.

This award, which translates to "To Do and To Teach," is a testament to Barry's outstanding dedication and impact as an educator over his remarkable 41-year career in Catholic education.

Barry (SPC 1972-77), who is also an Old Collegian, has been a guiding light for countless students at St Patrick's College and at Loreto College, specialising in Further Mathematics and achieving incredible results, including multiple Premier's VCE Awards. His commitment extends beyond the classroom, as he actively coaches soccer teams and promotes holistic student development. Congratulations Barry!

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

Join us on Saturday 9 November for Peach's Run around Lake Wendouree, honouring the memory of  Old Collegian James Petrie (SPC 2001-06). James was not only a talented athlete, captaining the First XI BAS Champions in 2006 and leading SPC's first soccer team to victory over St Kevin’s College, but also a cherished teacher and mentor in our community. This charity run aims to raise funds for mental health initiatives, reflecting James's enduring impact on those around him. Whether you choose to run or walk, your participation will help support vital mental health programs in Ballarat. Old Collegian and Australian cricketer Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) has been named ambassador of this year’s Peach’s Run. Click on the button below to find out more details on this and other Old Boys who have been in the news recently.

MENtal Brekky raises over $20,000 for men's health

A huge thanks to everyone who came and supported our annual MENtal Brekky recently, shining the spotlight on men's mental health. Together, we raised more than $20,000 for the Chris Yeung Fund, allowing us to support and care for SPC families in their time of need.

Special thanks to The Outback Mind Foundation founder Aaron Schultz who joined us from Tassie, bravely sharing the story of his own struggles with anxiety and self-doubt and continuing the important conversations about men's mental health. 

Aaron spoke of his hope to establish a men's circle in Ballarat after forming similar successful men's circles in other regional areas, including Horsham, where he grew up. 

If you would like to find out more about this, check out Aaron's website here

If you would like to make a donation to the Chris Yeung Fund, please contact the College's Lorrie Liston on 5322 4442 or email lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au 

Harry heads south, while Rioli to fly north

Great to see our Old Collegians in the news as the AFL Trade Period wrapped up, including Brisbane’s Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2021) who is moving back to Victoria to play with the Demons, while Tigers premiership player and the club’s 2024 Jack Dyer best & fairest medallist Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15) heads north to the Gold Coast.

Kai etches his name into AFL Grand Final history

Huge congratulations to Kai Lohmann (SPC 2016-18) who starred for the Brisbane Lions to win the 2024 AFL Grand Final. The 21-year-old etched his name in Brisbane folklore in just his 35th game with a standout performance, booting four goals, as the Lions trounced Sydney by 10 goals.  Fellow classmate Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2021) was one of Brisbane's three emergencies on the big day.

Class of 2023 One-Year Reunion coming up

We look forward to seeing members of our Class of 2023 return for their One-Year Reunion, to be held on Tuesday 26 November at the College's OCA Pavilion between 6-9pm. A free buffet tea will be provided, and drinks available at bar prices. Partners are most welcome to attend. Dress code for the evening is smart casual.

Invitations have been emailed in recent weeks. If you have not received your invite, please email oca@stpats.vic.edu.au with your preferred email address.

We urge you to register your attendance for catering purposes as soon as possible by clicking on the button below.

Lock these dates in your diary for 2025

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

Hosted by our Old Collegians' Association, 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 in the new year.

Look out for more details about these events in forthcoming editions of the Green, White and Blue. To update your contact details, simply click on the button below.

Where are they - Peter Bergman (SPC 2001-06)

The College recently reconnected with Peter Bergman (SPC 2001-06) whose love of the ocean and marine biology has taken him to far-flung places such as Antarctica, Greenland, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bisseau, and the Amazon in Brazil. His best memories of school though were spent at lunchtimes and recess playing downball and laughing a lot with his mates.

Share in the festive spirit at our Old Boys' Lunch

Come along and share in the festive spirit with us at our Old Boys' Christmas Lunch on Friday 29 November 2024 at the Golden City Hotel, in Ballarat.

Come on your own, or bring along your SPC mates, and enjoy a festive Christmas meal, listen to a guest speaker and some great company.

We are delighted to announce GWV Rebels and 2024 League Grand Final coach David Loader (SPC 1982-85, PY1987) is our guest speaker at this event.

The OCA Christmas Lunch is open to all Old Collegians, especially those who may now be retired and/or enjoy the opportunity to get together in a friendly, informal setting. 

You can book and pay by clicking on the button below otherwise, please bring $30 cash with you to pay for your two-course meal and tea/coffee. We encourage you to help us with our catering arrangements by RSVPing by the Friday before (22 November 2024).

For more information about the lunch or to RSVP, please contact the College's Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston by calling 5322 4442 or emailing lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au

Old Boys give helping hand to Year 12 students

Good luck to our Year 12 students as they begin their end-of-year exams this week. Damian Irvin (SPC 2018-23) and Sean Weigall (SPC 2018-23), pictured above, are two Old Boys who have been providing valuable help and advice to our senior students this year in their role as tutors in the Year 12 Study Centre.  

Honouring one of our greats in Laurie Larmer Cup

Our student community were out in force yesterday for the Laurie Larmer Cup. This year, a round-robin badminton tournament was held in the College gymnasium. Our Year 11 students took the initiative to organise this tournament for our younger students, exemplifying the spirit of the Laurie Larmer Cup.

The Laurie Larmer Cup was held for the first time last year as a senior interhouse football competition in salute to one of the College's greatest ever war heroes Laurie Larmer (SPC 1935-40). Laurie sadly passed away last year, aged 99 years.

The winners of this year's Laurie Larmer Cup will be announced at our next College Assembly.

Bolger family reminisces on recent SPC visit

It was wonderful to welcome Eleanor Bolger and daughter Anna to the College in perfect spring weather recently to see their late husband and father’s picket around our Main Oval. Cavan Joseph Bolger (SPC 1945-52) was a boarder from Horsham and a Prefect at SPC. He loved his time at SPC, which included playing school footy, according to his family members.

Cavan went on to Newman College and studied law. He enjoyed a long career, working until the age of 80, with his final year working as a Judge’s Associate.

Cavan passed away in 2021 and his family were thrilled to see his picket, a lasting memory of his time enjoying school life at SPC.

Main Oval pickets are still available to purchase via TryBooking by clicking on the button below. 

Joshua coaches U19 team to first grand final win

Congratulations to Old Collegian Joshua Harrington (SPC 2012-17) who was the head coach of the Under 19 Heidelberg Football Club, which won this year’s Northern League grand final for the first time in its history.

It was Joshua’s first year as head coach of the team and it is the first time in the club’s history they have made it to a Division One Under 19 Grand Final.

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:

• James (Jim) Hanrahan (SPC 1952-56), pictured above
• Frederick (Rea) Burzacott (SPC 1950-52), pictured above with his grandsons 
• Denis Monaghan (SPC 1971-74, PY1976) 
• David O’Connor (SPC 1955-57) 
  
  Please click on the button below to read more about these much-missed members of our community. 

Flanagan Art Prize returns; entries now open

Entries are now open for the St Patrick’s College Flanagan Art Prize, which returns as a major competition and exhibition in 2025.

Held annually since 2008 before pivoting to a residency in 2019, this highly regarded acquisitive art competition celebrates emerging and established artists across many contemporary art forms.

The 2025 competition sees the return of the major exhibition of shortlisted works and an acquisitive prize alongside increased prize values and categories, with a total of $18,000 on offer across six categories.

It also introduces the inaugural Young Flanagan Prize and Clontarf Academy Prize, allowing secondary school-aged students across Australia to showcase their creative talents.

Mitch Tuddenham leads by example at assembly

We thank Old Collegian & 2017 College Captain Mitch Tuddenham (SPC 2012-17), who was guest speaker at the recent Student Leadership Assembly, as our current school leaders were thanked and farewelled and our new 2025 student leadership inducted. 

Mitch shared some tips and tricks with the whole school student body, along with his latest adventures, volunteering with a Maasai community in Tanzania, Africa. 

Thanks to Mitch for inspiring our students and for his unwavering support of SPC! 

Honouring George Treloar statue anniversary  

This year, St Patrick’s College was honoured to be invited to the fifth anniversary of the unveiling of the George Devine Treloar (SPC 1900) statue in Sturt Street in Ballarat.

This statue commemorates the remarkable contributions of George Devine Treloar (SPC 1900), who was appointed the League of Nations representative for refugees in northern Greece after WWI, and who, from 1922 to 1926, resettled Greek refugees from Asia Minor. Through his efforts, over 108,000 individuals, including destitute survivors of the Hellenic, Armenian, and Assyrians, were saved from starvation and disease. George provided them with food, shelter, medical care, and the opportunity for resettlement. He was inducted as Legend of St Patrick's College in 2019.

John Brien (SPC 1953-58) returns for SPC visit

We were delighted to welcome back former boarder John Brien (SPC 1953-58) to the College recently.

John, who lives in Toowoomba QLD now, was delighted to visit the school and even watched our rowers out on Lake Wendouree.

John, who still competes in the Masters Rowing championships at the age of 84 years, was Rowing Captain at SPC in his Leaving Year in 1957.

After 70 years, Pierre Russo (SPC 1942-49) returns 

We were delighted to welcome back Old Collegian Pierre Russo (SPC 1942-49), pictured above, to the College during Term 3.

Pierre was a day student in the 1940s but recalls spending some time in boarding. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Chechino (known as Ken) and uncle Peter, who attended St Pat’s in the 1920s.

It was the first time Pierre had been back to the College since leaving more than 70 years ago.

Greetings from our Old Boys 

It was terrific to see 2016 College Captain John Brodie (SPC 2011-16) and his grandfather John at the Elmore Field Days. They operate a farm in the Shepparton region and made sure to say hello to the SPC team.

We were also delighted to welcome Old Collegian Michael Whelan (SPC 1965-69) to our display at the Henty Field Days. Michael fondly recalled his time at SPC, sharing wonderful memories of playing footy, basketball and cricket. He spoke highly of Brother O'Malley's influence during his school years. After a successful 45-year career in banking, Michael is now enjoying retirement in Wodonga. It was a pleasure to catch up with everyone connected with SPC at the field days.

Good luck to our Year 12 students

While our Year 12s have started their end-of-year exams this week, students celebrated their last day of schooling at St Patrick's College last Wednesday with a celebratory breakfast, Leave-taking ceremony and later that evening, our traditional Thanksgiving Mass with family at St Patrick's Cathedral. It was a special evening of gratitude and reflection, continuing one of the great traditions of St Pat's and marking this important milestone in our boys' lives. From Fr Eladio's inspiring homily and our Liturgical Choir's moving hymns to the Year 12's rousing rendition of 'Standing on the Shoulders', it was a wonderful celebration of faith and joy.

Announcing 2025 Student Council leaders

We are delighted to introduce our Student Council for 2025, ably led by College Captain Hugo Johnston and Vice Captains Harrison Grant and Brendan Monaghan.

Congratulations to all students who have been appointed to the Student Council and huge thanks to our outgoing leaders, including College Captain Noah Quick and Vice Captains Angus Rothe and Paterson Meneely. Your service and dedication to our school community has been exemplary. We look forward to seeing our new Council represent SPC with the same pride, passion and integrity! 

Manny wins soccer's Thomas Karras Award

Congratulations to our talented soccer stars for their outstanding achievements this year, with a special presentation recently. Year 12 student Manny Hontzogloy, pictured above, won the Senior ACC 1st's/Thomas Karras Award. Manny is the second Hontzogloy student to win the coveted Thomas Karras Award in as many years - with his older brother Nicholas (SPC 2017-22) also taking home the trophy in his final year of school! 

Lucas named in Australian U15 basketball team

Year 9 student Lucas Byrne, pictured above left, has been selected to represent Australia at the FIBA Under 15 Oceania Cup next month. The tournament will take place at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from 11-16 November, showcasing the best young basketball talent from across the region. Australia is the reigning champion, and this year’s event will be the first hosted on home soil since 2013. Congrats Lucas on this incredible achievement! We wish you and your teammates every success as you compete against teams from Guam, Samoa, New Caledonia, and more! 

In other basketball news, Year 12 student Ned Renfree, pictured above, is US-bound after securing a basketball scholarship with the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Congratulations Ned!

Agricultural & Horticultural Studies coming in 2025

Agricultural and Horticultural Studies will be introduced at SPC next year, offering students an exciting new pathway in these vital fields. Year 10 students will have the opportunity to enrol in Agricultural and Horticultural Studies, better known as Ag Science, while VCE students can take on VCE Units 1 & 2 in 2025, with Units 3 & 4 set to follow in 2026.

Students delight in Japan study tour

Whilst the majority of the St Patrick's College community are taking a break during the last school holidays, some of our staff and students were enjoying all that Japan has to offer on a school study tour.

Staff and students took in many delights including Kyoto’s beautiful traditional temples and shrines, as well as a day at Universal Studios. With humidity at 76 per cent, the students experienced Japanese heat at its highest!

SPC students share in GWV Rebels awards

Congratulations to the St Patrick's College students who were recipients of awards at the Greater Western Victoria Rebels Presentation Day held in late September. Year 12 students Ollie Hannaford and Harry Charleson, pictured above, shared the 2024 Adam Goodes Best & Fairest with Mitchell Lloyd, the runners up. Ollie also took out the Shaun Kelly Personal Growth Award. Well done also to Archie Caldow who was the joint winner of the 2024 Coaches Award - Boys.