Our Old Boys have been busy, including –
Ballarat hotelier David Canny (SPC 1980-85) may well still be celebrating after winning this year’s Melbourne Cup as part owner of Half Yours, ridden by Jamie Melham, who became only the second female jockey to win Australia’s most famous horse race. The combo also cleaned up at the Caulfield Cup a few weeks earlier, where Dave was there to celebrate, read more here. We bet drinks were on Dave for a few days after the win. Congratulations Dave!
What a repeat! Congratulations to Brisbane Lions forward Kai Lohmann (SPC 2018-21) who won back-to-back AFL premierships, on the grand footy stage in September. Among the excitement though, Kai talks here about why his second premiership flag was the hardest.
Congratulations to LeRoy Hand (SPC 1993-98) and his team at the Turret Café again after being awarded the Best Licensed Café in Victoria – for the second year running – at the prestigious Golden Plates Awards, which are judged by secret diners who judge the food, drinks, service and atmosphere, all on the quiet! Well done LeRoy and team!
Well done also to Tim Canny (SPC 1995-2000) and his Sovereign Park Motor Inn crew for winning the best 4-4.5 star hotel in the state following up on gold at the VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards in early December.
Jared Mulholland (SPC 2000-03, PY2005) was spotted being celebrated for his 20 years of dedication, commitment and hard work to Ballarat Wildlife Park recently. Jared began his career at the wildlife park greeting guests, and is now the general manager of operations and head tiger keeper. Not your everyday work title, that’s for sure. Well done Jared!
Napoleons-Sebastopol cricketer Jack Bray (SPC 2018-23) is certainly happy about the new cricket nets unveiled at Marty Busch Reserve, read more here
Simon Remington (SPC 1990-95) might be moving boxes as The Courier’s sales manager with the move of the newspaper office returning to Sturt Street after 43 years, read more here
Rebels youngster Cooper Glenwright (SPC 2019-25) was vying for a spot in this year’s AFL national draft. Cooper is the nephew of All-Australian Collingwood alum and SPC Old Collegian Mick McGuane (SPC 1980-85). Read more here
Well done to Matt Short (SPC 2008-13) who continues to make a mark, named as a member of the Aussie ODI cricket squad this season.
Daniel Rioli (SPC 2012-15) was looking dashing as he was splashed across social media following his wedding to Paris Lawrence in ….
Congratulations to new Brisbane Archbishop Shane Mackinlay (SPC 1977-82) who has been elected president of the Australian Catholic University Corporation.
All the best to Paul Tudorovic (SPC 1983-88) after closing a 34-year chapter at The Athlete’s Foot Ballarat and in that time, fitting thousands of feet, meeting generations of customers and being a great supporter of SPC.
Big shoes to fill! Sam Lalor (SPC 2019-22, PY2024) takes the number 4 guernsey from Richmond teammate Dusty Martin.
In Ballarat FNL news, brothers Jordan (SPC 2012-17) and Matt Johnston (SPC 2009-14) are opting to stay in Darwin and won’t be returning to East Point in season 2026, read more here
Premiership-winning duo Billy (SPC 2011-16) and Sam Griffiths (SPC 2012-17) have called time on Gordon and are moving back east to embrace their junior upbringings at Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat FNL in the 2026 season, read more here while Lachie Charleson (SPC 2018-23) is returning to East Point after two years on Port Adelaide’s AFL list, read more here
Cousins, former Ballarat Swans captain Will Garner (SPC 2011-16) and Bungaree’s Jack Walter (SPC 2010-15) have voiced their intentions to move to Newlyn in the Central Highlands FL next season. Read more here while much is being said about the McDougall influence at Springback with the return of former Tigers junior Bryson McDougall (SPC 2009-14), read more here.
Jesse Marshall (SPC 2012-16, PY2017) is returning to East Point after a stint with Buninyong, read here while Riley Fisher (SPC 2016-21) is returning to Ballarat from Rokewood-Corindhap in the Central Highlands, read here.
Meanwhile, Buninyong has secured the services of rising ruck star Rudie Forde (SPC 2018-23) from Redan and Bailey Ryan (SPC 2017-22) from Lake Wendouree, read more here and here,
and school principal Kane Tolliday (SPC 1997-2002) has been appointed to the helm of Waubra as his first solo senior gig, read more here
Springbank is bringing Ash Simpson (SPC 2007-12) back into the fold, read more here, following multiple years spent living overseas, read here,
while reigning premiers Skipton’s recruiting drive has gained good mates Will Liston (SPC 2015-20) and Declan Phillips (SPC 2015-20), as well as local Ed Boyer (SPC 2015-20) under coach Mitch Walsh (SPC 2009-14), read more here and here and here
Lexton key defender Will Brand (SPC 2019-24) and Lakers’ Jackson Leech (SPC 2016-21) has moved to Creswick, according to the news here while Jed Hill (SPC 2013-15, PY2018) is keeping the same colours despite moving from Sebas to Learmonth, read here.
North Ballarat rising star Ned Nash (SPC 2013-18) is heading to Carngham-Linton, read more here
Jye Lockett (SPC 2018-20) is returning home to North Ballarat next season after venturing interstate and nabbing VFL experience with Southport and the Gold Coast Suns. The former GWV Rebel is related to AFL legend and fellow North junior Tony Lockett. Read more here
Meanwhile, Jack Riding (SPC 2013-18) has re-signed with Werribee in the VFL. Jack finished equal fourth in the club best and fairest and earnt selection in the 40-man VFL Team of the Year squad, read here.
Great to see former Geelong AFL player Josh Cowan (SPC 2008-09) taking charge for the first time as senior coach at Daylesford, where he played as a junior. Josh was guest speaker at this year’s SPC John James Medal Football presentation night. Read more about Josh’s new role here
Well done to Cooper Craig-Peters (SPC 2014-19) who was voted best-afield in the VFL grand final for the Footscray Bulldogs in mid-September over Southport. It was the icing on the cake for Cooper, who joined the Next Generation Academy when he was 14 and has been playing VFL for the past five years. Watch Cooper as the winning feeling slowing sinks in during this video here
Well done to Jacob White (SPC 2006-11 who was inducted as a life member of the Springbank Football Netball Club at the end of the footy season. Jacob has played over 200 open age football games, is a two-time premiership player, has served on the committee for nine years, is current sponsorship coordinator and assists behind the scenes. Jacob is also a member of the Wallace Recreation Reserve, working tirelessly on the master plan. Well done Jacob!
Orange is the new black for Old Collegian Jordan Lauton (SPC 2015-20), pictured above, who has secured a two-year deal with Brisbane Roar FC. Jordan joins the Roar from Western United FC, where he rose through the Academy ranks to play 18 games with the senior team, and won goal of the year. Congratulations to Jordy and we wish him all the best in the sunshine state for season 25/26 and beyond!
Read this moving story here about how the enduring legacy of Jayden Hayes (SPC 2007-12) has brought two BCA clubs together. Jayden’s sudden passing last year led to the creation of the Jayden Hayes Memorial Cup, which was played between Ballarat-Redan and East Ballarat at the start of November and was described as a special day to be a part of,
Nine shoulder dislocations and at least six ankle sprains nearly ended Lachlan O’Keefe’s (SPC 2018-23) promising high-jumping career. A member of Australia’s 2022 World Under-20 Athletics Championship team, it’s great to see Lachlan has returned to competition, clearing a two-metre barrier for the first time in nearly two years. Read what Lachlan has his focus on here
Haddon stalwart Shaun McArthur (SPC 1997-2000, PY2002) clocked up a mighty milestone recently, notching up 350 games after 35 years of dedication to his boyhood side. The 44-year-old’s resume speaks for itself: more than a dozen best and fairests, seven senior premierships and the list goes on. Read more here
In other cricket news, brothers Josh (SPC 2015-19, PY2020) and Lukas Pegg (SPC 2018-21, PY2023) torched their former club Golden Point in their first encounter of the season, showing just how important they will be to the fortunes of Ballarat-Redan in 2025-26, read more here
Simon Dwyer (SPC 1976-81) and Oliver Yeung (SPC 2005-10) talk to the media about the real benefits of the work they do as part of the Chris Yeung Fund, which is supported by the College, and financially supports families where the father is suffering mental health issues. Their work comes from a very personal story. Read more here
Fantastic to see Stephen Coghlan (SPC 1999-2004) behind the comeback of the long-lost Ballarat Bitter beer, with brewing expected to resume in late 2026, using the original family recipe. Founded by Stephen’s great-great-great-grandfather, James Coghlan, the brand and brewery operation was sold to Carlton and United Breweries (CUB), now part of Asahi Beverages, in 1958. However the Coghlan family managed to acquire about 30 Ballarat Bitter trademarks back from Asahi Beverages earlier this year, constituting the brand’s intellectual property. Good news for all those Ballarat Bitter fans out there, read more here!
Darley blitzed to win the Ballarat Netball League 2025 senior football premiership over Sunbury, with Devils captain Brett Bewley (SPC 2008-13) also winning the commemorative shield for the best on ground. Other old Boys in the premiership side included Adam Azzopardi (SPC 2016-21) who was back from a shoulder injury, Mitchell Gardiner (SPC 2019-20, PY2024) and Duncan Cadman (SPC 2013-18).
These Old Boys were busy on Ballarat FNL’s big day as umpires, including Jack Anderson (SPC 2014-18, PY2019) and Damian Irvin (SPC 2018-23). Jack was chosen as one of the three central umpires for a second successive year, which was a dream come true. In another big accolade, Jack was also named umpire of the year, to read more here
Meanwhile, Skipton took out the Central Highlands FL premiership over Daylesford, a great coup for coach Mitch Walsh (SPC 2009-14) and Old Boys Liam Phillips (SPC 2013-18), Jesse Palmer (SPC 2013-14), Jack Peeters (SPC 2008-13), read more here
Ex-Emus player Marty Boyer (SPC 2018-23) also enjoyed a ripper of a year, winning the premiership with the Collingullie-Wagga Demons in the Riverina FNL as well as claiming the best and fairest honour, capping off a strong season for the key forward. Read more here
Ex-AFL player Tom Williamson (SPC 2012-16) had a day out as Ararat won its third straight Wimmera footy league grand final, and Jake Short (SPC 2005-10) has been named senior coach of the Horsham FNC.
Great to see Laurence Heenan (SPC 2004-09) has been recognised for his 30 years of work with the BCMA. Laurence has been part of BCMA almost his entire life, as a student, then teacher and backstage expert. He has explored almost every class from classical and hip hop to violin and film and more. Laurence was one of the first boys to take ballet at BCMA alongside fellow Old Boy Callum Linnane. Since BCMA, Laurence has built a stellar performing arts career, working at Kryal Castle, Her Majesty’s, freelancing and has also been recognised for his technical artistry, winning two Guild Awards for lighting design and earning a Guild nomination for Technical Achievement for Bert in Mary Poppins, and another this year for his lighting work on Kinky Boots. Well done Laurence!
We came across this great story from earlier this year with Isaac Hucker (SPC 2017-22), pictured above, who is a senior student at Trinity College in Melbourne. Isaac studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminology and Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne and aims to become a criminal defence lawyer, driven by his commitment to justice and his dedication to supporting marganised communities. Read more here
If you have any Old Boy news, please contact the College’s Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston on (03) 5322 4442 or via email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au
