We welcomed Old Collegian Mike Cleary (SPC 1970-74) and his wife Penny back to the College this week.
Mike attended his 50-Year Class Reunion last year, however he took advantage of a recent extended visit to Ballarat to show his wife Penny around the College, which he called his home away from home for five years back in the 1970s.
Mike was a boarder from Robinvale, along with his two brothers, John (SPC 1964-68) and David (SPC 1962-1968).
Mike and his brothers were third generation Paddy boys, following in the footsteps of their father Barry (SPC 1931-35) and his father (Leo 1904).
Mike joined SPC in Form 2 and was Deputy College Captain in 1974.
He was a gifted sportsman, captaining the Combined BPS First XI Cricket team over two years, played in the First XVIII Football team over two years and was vice captain in 1974. Mike also loved playing basketball and tennis and was a member of the St Vincent de Paul.
On touring the College recently, Mike marvelled at the revamped Main Oval, which underwent reconfiguration, reorientation and resurfacing works in 2021, along with the many new buildings and facilities afforded to current students.
As a keen basketballer, Mike said he was disappointed the Br W.T O’Malley gymnasium was built after he had finished school.
Since Mike’s school days, the College has grown substantially in size, with the addition of the Br Wilding Senior Wing, Con Whelan Food Technology classrooms, Old Collegians’ Association Pavilion and very new Performing Arts Centre, just to name a few key areas.
During their visit, Mike and Penny were amazed to stumble upon classroom photographs of his father Barry hanging on the College wall. Mike was even more surprised to discover his father pictured in the 1934 SPC Football Team Champions photograph. Until that moment, Mike said he had never known his father had played footy at SPC!
After graduating from SPC, Mike studied teaching at university in Ballarat and spent an enjoyable career as a secondary school teacher in various parts of northern Victoria before retiring to Wodonga more than a decade ago.
We thank Mike and Penny for calling in to visit us!
