Old Collegians’ Association _______________________Page

The Old Collegians’ Association now has over 200 new members as we extend a warm welcome to the Class of 2017 who join the SJOCA. At this year’s AGM the following committee was elected: Justin O’Brien - President Sam Hopgood - Senior Vice President Robert Hennessey - Junior Vice President Sam O’Dwyer - Treasurer Nick Jahnecke - Administrative Officer General Committee Members - Joe Virgona, Rhys Hegyesi, Ben Kenworthy, Greg Thompson and Tony Honner. On Sunday 30 April the Annual St Joseph’s College Old Collegians’ Golf Day was held at 13th Beach Golf Links Barwon Heads. Just under 200 players took part in an Ambrose-style team competition. Both courses were once again in pristine condition. The fantastic conditions certainly made for great scores with two teams having 15 Under off the stick.

Many thanks to David Bowles and Associated Cold Tread Tyres for being our major sponsor. It was great to see so many new players as we continue to try and grow the golf day. The Annual Golf Day is a major fundraiser for our Old Collegians’ Association with all money raised generously going towards the St Joseph’s College Bursary Fund. Many thanks to all of the players and sponsors of the Golf Day who helped raise over $14,000 on the day. Beach Winning Team the team from Costa Asset Management of Todd Devine, Stuart Costa, David Costa, Justin Haneysee and Paul Tonkin Creek Winning Team Jake Maxwell, Nathan Maxwell, Jake Mongelli, Loren Bunting and Ricky Norton The Annual Reunion held at the College in May had over 200 Old Collegians attend. The night is always filled with great memories and laughs from times past. The night started with a tour of the College and many past students commented on the development of the school facilities. The pre 70’s reunion was held in the Paul Tobias Centre in Mid-July with about 50 attending. This was a great day and included a visit to the Heritage Centre in Shannon Ave. This was another wonderful opportunity to highlight the many changes that have happened at the College in recent years. For the first time this year we held a reunion for the Boarding students. In 1967 the decision was made to close the boarding house at St Joseph’s due to large population growth in Geelong. The boarding rooms and houses were then converted to become extra facilites and learning areas for students at the College. On Friday 4 August, the College welcomed back over 30 past students who were Boarders here at St Joseph’s. It has been 50 years since the boarding house closed at SJC, and for some guests it has been even longer since they visited the school. Guests were given the opportunity to tour the College with some of our current student leaders, there were many comments on the changes that have occurred in particular the removal of the handball courts (a Boarder’s favourite) and the College pool. There were some wonderful stories being shared of experiences and antics in the boarding days both during the tour and afterwards in the College Boardroom. Thank you to all those who attended, there were some guests who travelled a signifi cant distance to get there, (one as far away as Darwin!) It was a great day of memories and stories of the past. All were amazed of the growth and the development of the school.

The Remembrance Mass for deceased Old Collegians, Staff and Benefactors was held in November in the College Chapel. Fr Peter Foley celebrated the Mass with us. During this Mass the deceased were remembered and afterwards those in attendance enjoyed afternoon tea in the College staffroom. As in past years we have donated $20,000 to school bursaries which assist families in need by providing the opportunity to send their boy to St Joseph’s College. Thank you to all committee members for their dedicated commitment to the Association and to St Joseph’s.

- Justin O’Brien, President

Pre-70s Reunion Pre-70s Reunion

Golf Day

Annual Reunion Annual Reunion Boarder’s Reunion Boarder’s Reunion