Green, White and Blue - Issue 67

Welcome to our new-look Green, White and Blue

Welcome to our fifth 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!

Book your tickets for 2024 MENtal Brekky 

Founder of The Outback Mind Foundation Aaron Schultz will headline this year’s Chris Yeung Fund MENtal Brekky.

Supported by St Patrick’s College, the 2024 MENtal Brekky will be held at the OCA Pavilion on Friday 18 October from 7am-8.30am. 

Aaron will share his journey in establishing The Outback Mind Foundation (TOMF), which aims to empower men throughout regional Australia to live healthier, happier, more consciously connected lives.

To find out more about this year's brekky, please click on this link here 

Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased by clicking on the button below.  

If you would like to book a table, contact the College’s Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston on 5322 4442 or email lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au 

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 on 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) inducted as College Legends; physiotherapist Liam Toohey (SPC 2003-08) as our Young Achiever and longtime teacher Barry Schuurs (SPC 1972-77) will receive the Facere et Docere staff award. Tickets are priced at $70 per person. 

Old Boys on opposing sides in AFL final 

A shout-out to our many Old Collegians playing in sporting finals this weekend and over coming weeks, including our AFL footballers, GWS' Aaron Cadman (SPC 2016-20, PY2021) pictured above, who will be playing against former classmates Kai Lohmann (SPC 2016-18) and Harry Sharp (SPC 2016-19, PY2021) from the Brisbane Lions, in a blockbuster AFL final tomorrow night. With Old Boys on both teams, it's impossible to pick a particular side, but we wish everyone playing in sporting finals the best of luck! 

Where are they now - Alex Guevara (SPC 2016-21)

The College recently reconnected with Old Collegian and talented saxophonist Alex Guevara (SPC 2016-21), pictured above, who was revealed as a mystery guest performer at the College’s recent SPC in Concert musical extravaganza in our new Performing Arts Centre and he stunned the crowd! 

Enjoying good times at Paddies Spring lunch

A great crowd came together for the Paddy’s Four Seasons Lunch at The Emerald Hotel in south Melbourne last Friday. Old Boys from across the eras enjoyed the Spring lunch. The next lunch will herald in the start of summer and will be held on Friday 6 December. 

If you are interested in attending the next lunch, please contact Old Collegians Noel Sheehan (SPC 1964-70) via email at noel@stafforgserv.com.au  or phone 0418 509 809 or Michael Dowd (SPC 1964-69) via email at mjdowd@hotmail.com or phone 0407 680 682.

Finn makes debut for McNeese State Cowboys

Congratulations to 2020 SPC Vice-Captain Finn Lappin (SPC 2015-20), pictured above, who made his Division One NCAA debut for the McNeese State Cowboys in Louisiana during the term. Finn is a punter who averaged 50.2 yards in the first game of his first season of American College Football. What a fantastic performance. We'll now be following American College Football very closely!  

Matt Rosa (SPC 2004) guest speaker at John James

Congratulations to all of our talented footballers who represented SPC with pride in 2024, including those who were recognised at the annual John James Medal recently. A big thanks to our guest speaker, Essendon's Talent and Operations Manager and former AFL player Matt Rosa (SPC 2004), pictured above with W.T. O’Malley SPC 1st XVIII Best and Fairest Ned Renfree. It was a wonderful celebration of excellence on and off the field! 

Father's Day gift for Matt Short (SPC 2008-13)

Congratulations to Aussie cricketer and Old Collegian Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) and his partner Madi Wilson on the arrival of their son Austin Wilson Short, born 26 August 2024. In welcoming their son, the happy new parents shared “Our little Aussie is here and we couldn’t be happier”. Congratulations to Matt and Madi and well done also to Matt, who dazzled in the new T20 series opener against England in Southampton earlier this week!

Former classmates welcome bubs on same day

Congratulations also to former classmates Nathan Barnes (SPC 2002-07) and James Spencer (SPC 2002-07) who celebrated the births of their babies within hours of each other!

Nathan and his wife Sarah and big brother Paddy and sister Milla welcomed son, Hugh (Hughey) William Barnes, on 5 September 2024. On the same day, fellow classmate James Spencer and wife Tash and big brother Archie also celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Ruby Leonie Spencer. Congratulations to both families!

Great to see Old Collegian Sam Butler (SPC 2016-21) back on the treadmill last month after he was forced to miss most of the 2024 AFL season after undergoing surgery on a broken leg back in late April. Great to see you back on the mend Sam!

Where are they now - Brendan Harding (2001-06)

We recently reconnected with Brendan Harding (SPC 2001-06), who credits supportive teachers for nurturing his love of mathematics, which is now taking him all over the world. 

Joel is a leader in our community

We were delighted to welcome Old Collegian Sergeant Joel Dash (SPC 1995-2000) back to the College recently.

Joel, pictured above and now in Victoria Police’s Ballarat Proactive Policing Unit, visited the College’s Year 10 Legal Studies and Politics class, to share his knowledge.

Joel believes being part of the tight-knit St Patrick’s community taught him the value of teamwork and the importance of friendship and respect, which has stood him in good stead in his life.

Old Collegian painting a finalist in Archibald Prize

A painting of Old Collegian Callum Linnane (SPC 2008, PY2013) was a finalist in this year's prestigious Archibald Prize! 

Callum was captured in an oil on linen by painter Marcus Wills and the painting has been on show at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. 

World class saxophonist mentors our students

It was a real treat to welcome back world class saxophonist and Old Collegian Joshua Hyde (SPC 1999-2004) to the College recently. Joshua took some of our VCE students for a special masterclass and treated our staff and students to an informal performance in our new Performing Arts Centre at lunchtime. Joshua is currently on summer holidays from his base in Switzerland, where he is professor of saxophone and chamber music at the Geneva University of Music (Haute Ecole de Musique de Genève). We thank Josh for sharing his love of music with us!

Is Edward our oldest living Old Boy?

The College recently reconnected with former boarder Edward Cotching (SPC 1947-49, PY1950) who may well be our oldest living Old Boy! 

Edward tells us he is "93 years young, in excellent health and still driving on an unrestricted license". He reckons he has good genes and his doctors say “I should live to 100 – but I’ve got to prove that!” 

Edward, who lives now in Buronga, New South Wales, continued working til he was 80 and has always been a strong supporter of SPC. He has very kindly shared some of his memories of his time as a boarder and his well-lived life! 

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

Congratulations to Old Collegian Chris Packer (SPC 1978-83), pictured above with his wife Lindy, for taking out the top gong in the Commerce Ballarat Business Awards recently. 

Catching up with our Old Boys at Speed

We would like to thank the numerous Old Collegians who came to say hello to us at our SPC stall at the Mallee Machinery Field Days at Speed at the end of July. The College's Business Manager Andrew Jirik (SPC 1980-85) is pictured above chatting to a number of Old Boys, including former boarder/day student Adrian Tobin (SPC 2007-10) who now works for JK Milling in Horsham; Lalbert farmer Craig Kennedy (SPC 1994-97); Angus Troup (SPC 2017-22) & Nick Cushing (SPC 2016-21) who are both studying agriculture at Longernong College in Horsham; and, third-generation Underbool farmer Chris Brown (SPC 1966-67, PY1968), who kindly shares more about his life in our Where are they now series below.

Where are they now - Chris Brown (SPC 1966-67)

The College caught up with Old Collegian Chris Brown (SPC 1966-67, PY1968) at the recent Mallee Machinery Field Days. Chris loved his time wearing the green, white and blue and credits SPC for encouraging him to give back to his community and giving his all to the people of the Mallee, which he has done for over 60 years. 

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:

• Peter “Dock” Dockendorff (SPC 1965-68), pictured above
• John Deany (SPC 1949-53)
• Fr Anthony (Tony) McCarthy (SPC 1954-57, PY1958)
• James Francis Stephen (SPC 1962-67, PY1968) 
• William (Bill) John Clements (SPC 1948-49, PY1950)
• Andrew David McBride (SPC 1987-92)
• Bradley Pearson (SPC 1979-80)
  
  We also extend our sincere condolences to:
• The Clark family on the passing of Mick, best known as the co-owner of Ballarat’s Doherty and Clark tyres services stores, on 30 August, aged 78 after a long illness. Our condolences are with his wife Mary, sons Michael (SPC 2002-07) & Thomas, daughters Janine and Kerri, grandson Tom Lyon (SPC 2012-17) and extended family.
• Br Robert Stone (SPC 1961-65, PY1967) on the passing of his father Robert (Bob), aged a mighty 101 years, on 19 August 2024.
• The Buckle family on the passing of John on 24 July 2024. Our condolences to sons David (SPC 1989-90), Anthony (SPC 1991-92), Matthew (SPC 1996-97), daughters Fiona and Joanne and grandson Nick Carta (SPC 2012-17) and their extended families. John and his wife Angela (dec) are remembered as strong supporters of St Patrick’s College and our boarding program. 
• John Richards (SPC 1983-88, staff) on the passing of his father John Henry Richards on 4 June 2024 at Nazareth House in Ballarat. We also extend our condolences to his mother Joan, John’s wife Maria and children Julia and Jack (SPC 2016-21), and sisters Lyndall and Julie and their families including grandsons Callum (SPC 2018-22, PY2023) and Hamish (SPC 2019-2021, PY2026).
  
  Please click on the button below to read more about these much-missed members of our community. 

Where are they now – Jordan Lauton (2015-2020)

The College recently reconnected with Old Collegian Jordan Lauton (SPC 2015-2020) who is showcasing his incredible soccer talent with Western United after signing his first professional A-League contract earlier this year. 

With age and hindsight, Jordan shares with us that some of his fondest memories of SPC were "just seeing my mates every day which was something I didn’t realise was really important until after school".

Opportunity to reconnect

It was fabulous to catch up with numerous Old Boys at the Hamilton Sheepvention this year, including former day student Kadin Long (SPC 2018-23) and former boarder Matthew Buckle (SPC 1996-97), pictured above. We love to reconnect with our former and current families and thank you for stopping in for a chat!

Giuliano family visit Main Oval picket fence

It was lovely to welcome Judith Giuliano back to the College, pictured above with her daughter Jacinta and husband Wayne Buckingham, to view their personalised picket around the College's Main Oval for Judith's late husband Peter Giuliano (SPC 1945-48). You can still order a picket by clicking on this link here

Where are they - Michael Leyden (SPC 1960-64)

The College recently reconnected with Michael Leyden (SPC 1960-64) who is now enjoying retirement following a rich career in medicine. Michael was closely involved during the introduction of bone marrow transplants and pushed for cancer treatment to be made more accessible to those living away from major cancer treatment centres, helping with the establishment of a centre in Ringwood, which later spread to country centres such as Ballarat.

Norman shines spotlight on rail history

Historian Norman Houghton (SPC 1963-65) has recently released his second book for the year, shining the spotlight on Hamilton’s rail history.

The book, Rail Centre Hamilton – the life and times of its branch railways 1994 to 1995, provides a detailed history of the district’s extensive network of lines, encompassing some 300km of track and 50 stations and sidings.

Students compete in 83rd Purton Oratory

One of the great traditions of St Patrick’s College, the Purton Oratory Competition, was held recently, showcasing some of our finest public speakers and debaters. 

Almost 30 students from Years 7-12 participated in the esteemed event, now in its 83rd year. Congratulations to all students who took to the microphone and spoke passionately on various topics and a big thanks to former staff member Major Brian Broadribb, whom one of the awards is named after, for attending. The winners were announced revealed at the Performing Arts showcase, held earlier this week.

Break the Cycle spin cycle event a huge success

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our students, staff, and supporters, we smashed our fundraising goal for the “Break the Cycle” spin cycle event, held for the first time recently! 

With more than 40 dedicated participants cycling non-stop for 24 hours, we raised over $5000 for Ballarat’s Raven Collective Services — far surpassing our original goal of $2,750. Every pedal stroke brought us closer to promoting respectful relationships and ending gender violence against women. 

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and supported this important cause. Together, we’re making a real difference! 

Students write and illustrate book in 12 hours

Our students were also busy writing and illustrating a children’s book in just 12 hours in The Kids Cancer Project Write a Book in a Day competition. Under the expert guidance of librarian Claire Garrett, pictured above, our boys displayed great teamwork and dedication as they completed their masterpiece, Jerome the Giraffe, raising more than $1600 along the way! 

Strong day of competition for SPC First XI

St Pat's First XI soccer team travelled down to the FFV football complex in Bundoora during Third Term to compete in the Premier Schools Football Cup—a competition for the winners of respective local competitions across Victoria.

Happy Father's Day to our very special people

We had a fantastic turnout by our SPC dads, grandfathers and special people for our annual 2024 Father's Day Mass and Breakfast, held on the Friday morning before Father's Day.