A special piece of SPC history was recently returned to the College.
Philip Woods (SPC 1967-72) was the winner of the inaugural W.T. O’Malley Gift, a handicap footrace over 110 yards in 1972.
Philip donated the sash to the College Archives, where it will form part of the changing display in the College’s emerging History and Heritage Centre.
“I was run off the scratch mark with competitors having as much as a 20-yard start,” Philip recalled of his 1972 feat.
“It was an honour and it was presented to me by Br O’Malley.”
Philip spent five years at SPC as a day student after arriving from St Michael’s, Bungaree and his final year as a boarder. Philip represented the College in the First XVIII Football team over two years and was the Vice-Captain of the College Athletics team.
He was also a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the YCS. Philip’s two elder brothers, Michael (SPC 1962-68) and Paul (SPC 1964-69), and two younger brothers (Anthony (SPC 1970-74, PY1975) and Stephen (SPC 1974-75, PY1979) also attended St Pat’s. Former long-term teacher and Brother, Brother O.V. Wynne was their uncle and Philip’s Form 1 teacher, and Br Wynne is also remembered as a most successful Aussie Rules coach.
Philip now lives in Tasmania. We thank Philip for his kind donation to the College archives.
