Old Boys in the News – March 2018

March 26, 2018

Our Old Boys have been in the news, including:

  • Nathan Sobey (SPC 2008), pictured above, who we wish the best of luck as he- chases a NBL championship title dream- with the Adelaide Sixers- this weekend,- as well as congratulations for- his selection- in the Australian men’s basketball team- at next month’s Commonwealth Games. Well done Nathan! To read more, go to this link and this link

  • Great to see former boarder Sam Rowe (SPC 1995-98) helping with Ballarat’s food dining revolution, with he and his wife Elise behind the new industrial warehouse food destination called The Hydrant Food Hall in McKenzie Street. Read more about Sam’s new venture at this link and this link

  • Newlyn have been on a recruiting drive, luring some big recruits including JJ Liston Trophy winner Steve Clifton (SPC 1999-2004) under the joint coaching of Chris Dwyer (SPC 1988-93). To read more, go to this link
  • Bacchus Marsh club great Tyson Shea (SPC 2001-06) has ended a decade-long tenure as captain, handing over the reins to Travis Hodgson. To read more, go to this link

  • See what Old Collegian Liam Duggan (SPC 2009-14), who has signed a three-year contract extension with the West Coast Eagles, has to say about the West Coast Eagles’ new strategy for 2018 in this story at this link

  • Well done to local architect Nathan Porter (1992-97) who, since moving back to Ballarat five years ago, has set up his own firm with a vision to design buildings for today which will be -‘tomorrow’s heritage-. To read more about Nathan’s dream for Ballarat’s -‘dead spaces’, go to this link

  • Peter Mackey (SPC 1966-70) talks about his wait of 48 years to deliver his valedictory speech for the Class of 1970 at St Patrick’s College’s recent St Patrick’s Day Luncheon. Peter was about to deliver his speech at the time, when the guest of honour collapsed and died next to him at the table. To read more, go to this link

  • Congratulations to Old Collegian Nathan Sobey (SPC 2008) who has been selected in the men’s basketball team which will represent Australia at next month’s Commonwealth Games! Well done Nathan! To read more, go to this link

  • College Legend Gerard FitzGerald (SPC 1973, PY1975) is set to be a busy man this year after putting his hand up to team with Committee for Ballarat in a formal role as well as oversee the new AFL Vic team following the scrapping of the VFL Development League. To read more, go to this link and this link

  • John Shanahan (SPC 1967-69) talks about his hopes ahead of the Walking Off the War Within event, which was held at St Patrick’s College and Victoria Park on Saturday. The event originated in a bid to remember his son, a firefighter and former soldier Nathan Shanahan (SPC 1988-93) who took his own life in December 2016 after battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. To read more, go to this link, this link and this link

  • Pat Shaw (SPC 1998-2004) was narrowly edged out and finished second in the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club’s criterium championships recently. To read more, go to this link

  • Former Redan star and Old Collegian Ryan Waight (SPC 1998-2003) has signed on as a playing assistant coach under Heath Pyke with Bungaree this season, while Shaun Finlayson (SPC 2000-02) is still recovering from a knee injury but hopes to make a comeback during the season. To read more about Bungaree’s prospects, go to this link

  • Jayden Hayes (SPC 2007-12) finished a nail-bitting second for Ballarat-Redan in the EJ Cleary Medal count for the Ballarat Cricket Association’s highest individual honour, and won by Steven Nicholson (Mt Clear). Fellow Old Boy Darcy Thomson (Mt Clear SPC 2011,PY2012) also featured, finishing seventh. To read more, go to this link

  • Mitch Phelps (SPC 2006-11) has left Redan to join Barwon Heads in the Bellarine league this season. Also leaving Redan are fellow Old Boys Tom Lamb (SPC 2005-2009,PY2010), Kali Dawborn (SPC 2012-17) and Tom Morrish (SPC 2017). Keenan Waterbury (SPC 2015-16) has also been sidelined with injury. Matt Coon (SPC 2008-12,PY2013) is set to make his way to Redan this season after establishing himself as a senior player in the Bendigo league at Maryborough, while Harli Givvens (SPC 2010-13,PY2015) – is on the move after a breakout 2017 with Sebastopol, seeking a release to Buninyong, and teammate Billy Hoye (SPC 2010-15) hoping to move to Learmonth. Eamon McCuskey (SPC 2009-14) also looks set to move from Lake Wendouree to the Northern league. To read more, go to this link– and this link and this link

  • Jake McQueen’s (SPC 2015-16) prayers have been answered, gaining a lifeline in the Victorian Football League after being included in Essendon’s squad for its 2018 campaign. To read more, go to- this link

  • Congratulations to Kelly Lyle (SPC 2008-13) who was recently crowned as the Ballarat District 54-hole men’s scratch champion, to read more go to this link and this link

  • And in the celebrity world, Old Collegian and lawyer Justin Quill (SPC 1989-91) is taking on one of Australia’s highest paid actors, working for a joint media group to appeal the record amount of damages awarded to actor Rebel Wilson last year in the biggest defamation win in Australian legal history. The appeal is triggered by the media’s desire to protect free speech and to keep legal costs from spiralling out of control. Read more about Justin’s work at this link

  • Congratulations to Matthew Crouch (SPC 2008-13) who has been named in the Adelaide Crows leadership group for the first time. The honour follows Matt’s stand-out year in 2017 when he won the Crows’ best and fairest and was named in the All Australian team. Congratulations Matt! To find out more, go to this link

  • Congratulations also to Blake Thomson (SPC 2011-15) who smashed 166 not out to guide his the Melbourne Cricket Club to an amazing victory in the Victorian Premier Cricket Competition. His innings was described by his captain as the best he’s ever seen in first grade cricket! To read more , go to this link