We are saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Brian Grogan OAM (SPC 1949-53) who was a champion for his community in his hometown of Mildura.
Brian passed away on 6 March, 2026, aged 90 years. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Brian’s life was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mildura on 16 March.
Brian was a prominent community figure in Mildura and primarily known for his instrumental role in establishing the La Trobe University Mildura campus, and his service as a local Mildura Rural City councillor.
Students and alumni of La Trobe’s Mildura campus have Brian to thank for his determination and dedicated campaign to establish a university campus in the regional setting.
He was the founding chair of the La Trobe University Regional Advisory Board, established in 1993, and led the campaign to establish the standalone La Trobe Mildura campus on Benetook Avenue.
The campus’ Brian Grogan Building is named in his honour, serving as a hub for education that houses a lecture theatre, laboratories and the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre.
Brian talked about his determination to establish a regional campus and what it continues to provide for the town and future students on the 20th anniversary of the Brian Grogan building two years ago in an interview here
He also served on local government as a councillor for the Mildura Rural City Council, where he was involved in critical planning decisions, including advocating for developers to fund local infrastructure (roads, drains, parks).
Brian was a vocal advocate for recognising the rapid population growth in Mildura, often urging state and federal governments to better understand the region’s needs, particularly regarding its cross-border nature.
He was recognised as a community champion with a long history of contributing to the development of the region, particularly in education and as a water industry leader.
He received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2007 for his service to the community and water industry in the Mallee region.
In moving tributes following his passing, Brian has been remembered as a “caring person who contributed much to the local community” of Mildura.
Brian started at a SPC in Second Year and was a boarder from Kerang, in north-central Victoria.
He was a bright student and was involved in football, cricket and athletics. He was a member of the College’s First XVIII Football team across two years in 1952 & 53, culminating in a member of the BPS Champion side in 1953.
He was described as having “all the attributes of a good footballer” and “capably held down the responsible position of full-back”.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his sons Sean, Justin, Eugene (dec) and Luke and their extended families.
