Old Boys in the News – February 2019

February 19, 2019

Our Old Boys have been busy, including:

-¢- Congratulations to Old Collegian Brandon Lauton (SPC 2012-17) who has been selected in the 28-man Melbourne Victory Squad which will compete in this year’s Asian Champions League. As part of the squad, Brandon will have the opportunity to represent the A-League club in matches against powerhouse teams from China, South Korea and Japan. To read more, go to this link

-¢- Cricketing Old Boys, Mathew Begbie (SPC 2006-11), Ryan Knowles (SPC 1996-2001), Harli Givvens (SPC 2010-13, PY2015), Jason Knowles (SPC 2001-06), Jayden Hayes (SPC 2007-12) and Jonah Healey (SPC 2011-16) have helped the Ballarat Cricket Association country week team win its way back into the provincial division in thrilling circumstances yesterday, which is a fantastic effort! The team are playing in the grand final of the Victorian Country Cricket League Melbourne Country Week division two, against Bendigo Cricket Association today. Good luck guys!

-¢- Well done to Todd Jacobsson (SPC 2007, PY2012) who has been chosen to take the love-struck role of Tony in the latest national revival of West Side Story from April. For more, go to this link

-¢- Great to see Steve Moneghetti (SPC 1975-80) always supporting community events, including the recent Ballarat parkrun as well as the Ballarat Cycle Classic as one of the event’s ambassador, alongside fellow Old Boy Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79, PY1981) in this story at this link

-¢- Professional cyclist-turned commentator Pat Shaw (SPC 1998-2004) also urges locals to get behind the Cycle Classic and experience cycling at this link.- Great to see Pat is also becoming known as a fantastic mentor, with a young Ballarat cyclist thanking Pat for his championship success in the recent national cycling titles, for more, go to this link

-¢- Waubra premiership player and former captain Paul Dodds (SPC 1995-2000) is set to return to Waubra for the 2019 Central Highlands FL season, for more go to this link

-¢- Joel Cowan (SPC 2013-15) has lodged a clearance to Trentham in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league, for more go to this link

-¢- Two-time premiership player Luke Delahey (SPC 2009-14) is leaving Darley for the Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League, while former Rebels defender Hasker Dawborn (SPC 2011-16) is joining Modewarre in the Bellarine league. For more, go to this link

-¢- Talented goalkicker Nick O’Farrell (SPC 2006-11) is returning to Ballarat in the Ballarat Football League after a season in the Wimmera league, for more go to this link

-¢- Well done to Old Collegian Mark Ryan (SPC 1962-67) on his dedication to East Ballarat Cricket Club for the past 40 years in this story at this link

-¢- Joel Ottavi (SPC 2008-12) is moving from Essendon to Williamstown in a bid to enhance his prospects of establishing a VFL career. Read more in this story at this link

Buninyong cricket captain Liam Brady (SPC 1997-2002) talks about his team’s chances in the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade in this story at this link

-¢- Ballarat snake-catcher Jules Farquhar (SPC 2007-11, PY2012) was in the media recently calling for a change in the way snakes are perceived. He and his brother Jesse (SPC 2007-10, PY2012) catch snakes in the Ballarat area and say they are important in the ecosystem. For more, go to this link

-¢- Fr Peter Hudson (SPC 1953-60) was involved in a special celebration recently, presenting an acknowledgement from the Pope to Sister Caroline Deutscher on her 100th birthday at Ballarat’s Nazareth House, for more, go to this link

-¢- Good luck to Old Collegian Alex Porter (SPC 2011-16) who will be spending a season in the UK with the Houghton Main Cricket Club in the South Yorkshire league premier division from April. Alex is the latest recipient of the Central Highlands region’s Cricket Willow UK scholarship. The 20-year-old has already clocked 300-plus runs in the Gisborne District association premier firsts this season. To read about Alex’s adventure, go to this link

-¢- Great story with family arborists Paddy Arnts (SPC 1982-88) and son Thomas (SPC 2010-15) about the joy and risks of their profession in this story at this link

-¢- Great to see this video of Old Collegian Josh Coward (SPC 2015) being presented with his Australian jersey as he became the first ever SPC Old Boy to represent Australia in a senior rugby competition. Worth noting too that Josh scored two tries in his debut tournament for the Australian Men’s Sevens team in New Zealand and may now be in contention for selection for next year’s Olympics! Well done Josh! To watch the video, go to this link

-¢- Former boarder Josh Chatfield (SPC 2017-18) will play with North Ballarat City in the Ballarat Football League, while embarking on a building apprenticeship, after playing in a senior premiership with Koroit. For more, go to this link

-¢- Former Ballarat City soccer player Jake Selby (SPC 2011-16) is heading to Sebastopol Vikings in 2019 and will bolster the side’s hopes of a quality 2019 Football Federation Victoria state league three campaign. For more, go to this link

-¢- Leon Davey (SPC 1995-2000) achieved an extraordinary milestone at Miners Rest Primary School, with his son’s first day in prep this year marking the fifth generation of the Davey family to attend the school, an unbroken chain stretching all the way back to the 19th century. To read more, go to this link

-¢- Andrew Huie (SPC 1994-99) tells why he plans to conquer two huge cycling races in this story at this link

-¢- One of our newest Old Collegians Nick Gaylor (SPC 2013-18) tells of his first round university offer joy in this story at this link

-¢- In fantastic news, we heard of an Old Collegian’s direct role in the discovery, seizure and destruction of more than $300 million worth of narcotics during HMAS Ballarat’s latest deployment. Dylan White (SPC 1997-98, PY2002) is Lieutenant Commander with the Royal Australian Navy and in his role as executive officer (or second-in-charge), his job is to oversee that the seized drugs are safely and correctly destroyed, which can take a long time due to such large quantities. Dylan commended the HMAS Ballarat crew, who he said have been working extremely hard, and hope to round up more illegal narcotics in this mission. To see more of HMAS Ballarat’s great work, go to- this link

-¢- Long-time Learmonth resident Fon Ryan (SPC 1956-60, PY1960) remembers a vastly different Lake Learmonth where he learnt to swim and fish, unlike the very different picture now. Fon, now aged 74, has been recording the water levels at Lake Learmonth since 1967 and knows exactly when it began to change. Read more in this story at this link

-¢- Great to see Harry Lamb (SPC 2012-17) is combining his passions as a barbering apprentice and his love of folk music in this story at this link

-¢- OCA president Allan McKinnon (SPC 1966-69) and president of Ballarat Legacy talks about the benefits of a special camp, organised by Ballarat Legacy, for families, who suffer the devastating and lasting impacts of war. To read more, go to this link

-¢- Nick Weightman (SPC 2009-14) has signed on with fellow Old Collegian and Ballarat Swans’ new coach Joe Carmody (SPC 1992-97 and current staff) for the Ballarat FL 2019 season. And former Ouyen boarder Tom Morrish (SPC 2017), who played with Redan, has been signed over the Christmas break by West Adelaide in the SANFL. For more, go to this link

-¢- Congratulations to 2013 College Dux Tim Crowe (SPC 2008-13) who has recently commenced work as a stockbroker in Sydney. Well done Tim!

-¢- Former Glenelg midfielder Dom Barry (SPC 2009-12) has spurned the chance to return to the Bay in favour of a move to an SANFL rival as three clubs land delisted AFL players. Ex-Port Adelaide speedster Dom has joined Norwood instead of the Tigers, whom he played with last year before being drafted to the Power. The 24-year-old’s running ability and polish should complement an already star-studded Redlegs midfield. Port cut Barry last month after five games in one season and at least four SANFL sides were in contention for his signature.

-¢- Dallas Willsmore (SPC 2010-13) is set to play with West Adelaide in the South Australian Football League (SANFL) this year after signing a two-year deal. For more, go to this link

-¢- Watch for Matt Rosa (SPC 2004) to make an impact in his new role as stoppages and structure coach for the West Coast Eagles, after stepping off the field after three years and playing 168 games.

-¢- Look out for Jake Neade (SPC 2010-12) who hopes to add some speed and class to North Adelaide’s forward line this season as the SANFL premiers look to go back-to-back. For more, go to this link.- Jake also become a dad over the Christmas break.

-¢- Congratulations to James Fahey (SPC 2007-12) who has just commenced an internship as a doctor at Austin Health. James has been a dedicated supporter of our annual College Career Expos, always making himself available to talk to students looking at a potential medical career. Congrats James!

-¢- Commiserations to Ballarat’s elder statesman of Liberal politics, Josh Morris (SPC 1995-2000), who was Member for Western Victoria, and Luke O’Sullivan (SPC 1988-89) who was Member for Northern Victoria, who both lost their seats in Parliament in the November State Election.

-¢- Congratulations to talented basketballer Sam Short (SPC 2011-16) who has recommitted to the Ballarat Miners for next season with the full backing of fellow Old Collegian Matt Sheehan (SPC 1969-75, PY1977) who is the senior elite teams committee chairman for the Miners. To read more, go to this link

-¢- Well done also to brother Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) who top-scored with 65 runs from 41 deliveries for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League clash again his old team, Melbourne Renegades early in the season.- For more, go to this link

-¢- Congratulations to Jack Denahy (SPC SPC 2011-14, PY2016) who won the Elite Men’s Australian light weight boxing championship -“ his greatest achievement to date. Jack is now focussed on the Pacific Games mid-year and the World Championships in September. To read more about Jack’s win, go to this link