Old Boys in the News – February 2024

Our Old Collegians have been in the spotlight, including:

Billy Menhennet with his golden ticket.

• Well done to Old Boy Billy Menhennet (SPC 2016-20, PY2021) who made it to the top 30 of this year’s Aussie hit TV show Australian Idol. The young country singer scored a coveted golden ticket in the early auditions and into the top 30 before being eliminated. Billy took to his socials to thank everyone for supporting him through the journey which he described as an “awesome experience” and that he’s “keen to see what the future beholds”. Watch Billy’s video to his fans here and this story here after he gained the glittering golden ticket.
  

  Sean Duggan, pictured left, is among an Australian first. Picture: The Courier

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  Cooper Sherman celebrating after winning the Ballarat Gift. Picture: Lachlan Bence

  Great to see Old Boy paramedic Sean Duggan (SPC 1986-91) set to be among the first in Australia to start their masters degree towards becoming a paramedic practitioner – a new ambulance role to help reduce the number of patients who need to go to hospital. Read more in this story here

• Congratulations to Old Collegian Cooper Sherman (SPC 2017-22) who clinched the Ballarat Men’s Gift at the City Oval earlier this month. Starting on 1m, the 19-year-old powered home in 12.52 seconds. Well done Cooper! To read how Cooper clinched the title, click here
• Congratulations to Jordan Lauton (SPC 2015-20) who has made his senior debut for Western United in the A League.
• Well done to Mt Clear cricketer Ash George (SPC 1999-2004) who secured a match-winning wicket to keep his team in the top four, landing five wickets for the day against East Balalrat in a match-winning performance. To read more, click here
• Great work by Old Boy Will Cousens (SPC 2006-10, PY2011) who is featured in a Ballarat 40 under 40 story series showcasing his love for the Victoria Park Football Club. To read more, click here
  

  Mike Whitehead, left, is passionate about the performing arts space in Ballarat. PIcture Lachlan Bence

   

  Great to see Mike Whitehead (SPC 1968-71) involved in bringing a former church in the middle of Ballarat into a performing arts hub through the new Ballarat Performing Arts Community group. We applaud Michael, who is a passionate supporter of the arts in Ballarat, read more in this story here

• The next time you feel like a burger in Geelong, head to JP Burgers, which is being opened by Old Collegian Josh Plozza (SPC 2009-10). Good luck Josh!
  

  John Schreenan has been synonymous with printing in Ballarat for the past 20 years. Picture: Adam Trafford

• Read this great story on Ballarat business owner John Schreenan (SPC 1982-83) whose family has been synonymous with printing in Ballarat for the last 60 years. John, the last-remaining family member running the operation formerly known as Kings the Printer and King Print, has retired after 20 years. What an achievement! Click here to read about John.
• Congratulations to Sara Kennedy, daughter of Old Collegian Rod Kennedy (SPC 1986-90, PY1991), who made her Women’s Big Bash League debut last year at the age of 16 years, and is keen to see female sport opportunities in Ballarat to keep growing, read more in this story here
  

  LeRoy Hand, pictured left, with his partner Belinda Pilcher. Picture: Adam Trafford

• Make sure you pay a visit to the new Turret Café Bakehouse in the main street of Ballarat, where a love of croissants and a desire to have their own bread sparked this great idea for local café owners, Old Collegian LeRoy Hand (SPC 1993-98) and his partner Belinda Pilcher. Read more here

Simon Clark, pictured left, will taking on bigger things at East Ballarat FC. Picture: Adam Trafford

• Good luck to Old Boy Simon Clark (SPC 1988-93) who has taken on the co-presidency role at East Point Football Club. Simon is no stranger to the club, as a long-time club administrator and player. Read more in this story here
• Former professional cyclist Pat Shaw (SPC 1998-2004) chats about his hopes for more active infrastructure in Ballarat over the next few years in his story here
• Great to see Noah Barwick (SPC 2017-21, PY2022) continuing to show his community spirit since finishing at SPC by participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar drop. Noah and a small army of volunteers has been taking part in the donation drive for a number of years. To read more, click here

Noah Barwick is working hard for the community. Picture: Lachlan Bence

If you have any news on our Old Collegians, please contact Alumni and Foundation Officer Lorrie Liston via email at lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au