We were saddened to hear of the passing of John Francis Noonan (SPC 1947-58) on 13 February 2026, aged 83 years in Queensland.

John followed in his father John’s (SPC 1925-31) footsteps to attend SPC. John was a day student along with his younger brother Peter (SPC 1952-62).

John started as a very young boy in 1947 and completed 11 years years of schooling at SPC before completing his matriculation in 1958.

He was a talented and keen student in all aspects of College life. He was a College Prefect in his final year, as well as an under officer in cadets and drum major of the College Band in his Leaving year.

 

 

John was a member of the First XVIII Football team, which were co-premiers of the BPS, in 1958. He also shined in the Second XVIII and played in the ruck for the Treacy footy side.

He was a talented runner, placing in the 440-yard race at the SPC Athletics Sports over consecutive years, culminating in his final year, where he won the 440-yard race at the Melbourne Combined Sports at Olympic Park in Melbourne, and was subsequently named SPC’s 440 champion.

John also experienced success on the water, as a bow, finishing second in SPC’s Thirds boat at the 1958 Head of the Lake regatta; first in the Fifth Crew with his brother Peter as cox in 1956; first in the sevenths crew by two lengths in 1954.

John was also a member of the Sodality of Our Lady.

John and fellow classmate Leslie Dickinson (SPC 1955-58) went on to study at Pharmacy College together after completing their studies at SPC.

John was studying pharmacy when he met his future wife Beverley.

Beverley recalled meeting John at an athletics club meet in Ballarat after she hurt her ankle and John was asked to look at her injury. She described John as “an adorable man” and they went on to wed and enjoyed 64 years of married bliss, bringing up four children together.

John was a pharmacist in Ballarat, before he and his family moved to Wedderburn, in northwest Victoria, and then onto the warmer climate of Queensland, buying a pharmacy in Coolum Beach, where they enjoyed their life together.