Frances Coffey was delighted to gain a close-up view of a picket on our Main Oval celebrating her McGennisken ancestry.
The picket on the Main Oval proudly celebrates Frances’ family connection and reads simply – McGennisken Family, Wonwondah, Vic.
Frances is the niece of eight McGennisken brothers who were boarders at SPC between 1929-41.
William and Lillian McGennisken, of Wonwondah, near Horsham in northwestern Victoria, had 10 children, consisting of eight boys and two girls.
While the eight brothers came to Ballarat, establishing a record at the time, their sisters Joan (Frances’ mother) and Betty were sent to Presentation Convent, in Windsor.
The eight boys to attend SPC included Ray (SPC 1925-27); Michael (SPC 1925-27; Jack (SPC 1929); Jim (SPC 1932-35); Patrick (SPC 1932-35), Vivian (SPC 1935-36; Bill (SPC 1936-37) and Alan (SPC 1941).
The McGennisken brothers beat the previous record held by the Long family from Knowsley, whose seven sons were educated at SPC.
To the College’s knowledge, the McGenniskens hold the record still to this day.
College Annuals show Jim was a member of the SPC Athletics team of 1934 and 1935 and played in the First XVIII in 1935.
Pat also represented in both, featuring in the First XVIII sides of 1934 and 1935 and Athletics in 1935.
The only family photo available was provided by Ray McGennisken some years ago, which shows the then seven boys with their two sisters at the closure of the Wonwondah Primary School in 1985. Jack, who died in an accident in 1957, is shown insert in the photo.
Viv McGennisken visited the College back in 2018 for the first time in an amazing 82 years since he graduated. Viv, who was 98 at the time, toured with College with his daughter. Viv sadly passed away in 2021, at the age of 101 years.
