Last term we were delighted to welcome back around 70 Old Collegians and partners to our Old Boys’ Winter Warmers Lunch.
The lunch was held in the College’s Boarding Dining Room, proving very popular with former boarders keen to compare their many and varied boarding memories with the modern facilities our students now enjoy.
1963 College Captain Bill Joyce (SPC 1957-63) was guest speaker on the day, presenting a personal and reflective account of his seven years as a boarder at St Patrick’s College, drawing on both his own experiences and the memories of fellow Old Collegians. His speech combined humour, nostalgia, criticism and gratitude to provide a picture of boarding school life in the 1950s and 1960s.
Fellow former boarder Xavier Maher (SPC 1961-67) was master of ceremonies and kept the crowd well entertained.
Acting Principal Dr Michael Carroll provided insight into Term 2 school activities while OCA president Dr Charlie Flynn thanked the crowd for their turnout, while giving an update into the work being carried out behind the scenes by the OCA.
We were also very pleased to welcome the College’s Boarding Director James Hopper, who gave an informative talk on what day-to-day life is like for our boarders now.
Thank you to James and Boarding Captain Lachlan Lloyd for taking interested Old Boys on a tour of the adjoining boarding precinct.
The Boarding Dining Room venue stirred up plenty of nostalgia and memories, with fellow boarders recounting many tales centred around their own mealtimes.
In his recount as guest speaker, Bill Joyce remembered the dining room seated all 312 boarders at tables of 10, each supervised by a senior boarder. The kitchen was run by Matron Brady.
“My first table captain was Brian “Redman” Dillon, vice captain of the First XVIII (Football),” Bill told the crowd.
“He taught us the art of ‘ripping’ – the daily race to collect the table’s food and, if lucky, fresh bread.”
He recalled boarders came from diverse backgrounds, including many from rural areas, disadvantaged families, or difficult personal circumstances.
The Joyce family has a 132-year association with SPC, with Bill the 18th member of his family to enrol, following in the footsteps of his older brother Tony (SPC 1954-60).
Despite his reflections on how institutional living can affect vulnerable young people and the legacy of abuse left behind, Bill also fondly recalled friendships, sporting culture, debating, music, academic achievements and the camaraderie of boarding life.
After leaving SPC, Bill spent 39 years working for state institutions and another 19 years on the board of a community housing agency caring for some of Melbourne’s most vulnerable people.
“I learnt that St Pat’s boys have a responsibility to try to make the world a better and more just place,” he said.
The next Old Boys’ Lunch, which is hosted by the Old Collegians’ Association (OCA), will be held on Friday, 27 November, with more details closer to the date. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Alumni & Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston on 5322 4442 or via email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au
