Old Collegians

OLD AND YOUNG – KEVINIANS FOR KEVINIANS

We recently heard of the passing of Kevin O’Conner at 98 years of age. Kevin, a St Kevins student in 1939, was very happy and proud to be sharing time and stories with St Kevins students over the past few years, notably Nick Bare (Year 11) and Adam Dinh-Vu (Year 12) during time spent at Kevin’s senior citizens home. He cherished these moments as was the time he addressed students at the College.

ABOVE: NICK BARE, KEVIN O’CONNOR

800M RUNNERS GALORE

Jack Lunn (SKC '19) is making his mark on the 800m at the athletics tracks. The tradition of great 800m runners at the College stretches back over 60 years with those who have run under 1min 48sec and started with the great late John Higham (SKC '69) 1:45.6 in 1977, Alex Rowe (SKC '10) 1:44.4, Peter Bourke (SKC '76) 1:44.78, Luke Mathews (SKC '13) 1:45.16, Simon Lewin (SKC '89) 1:47.06 and Timas Harik (SKC '12) 1:47.45. Jack is coached by Old Collegian Steve Fabris (SKC '05) and Jack secured 1:47.42 recently. Well done on keeping the tradition going.

LATEST SIGHTINGS

Brian Kurrle (SKC '61). Still working as a GP in Yagoona, western Sydney. Five children and very happily married to Kelly.

Jeremy Sierakowski (SKC '02). Currently training to become a pilot, and a Diploma of Aviation. Just completed a trip around Australia flying a Cessna 172 – exciting times.

MENTOR PROGRAM

We encourage Kevinians to avail themselves of the Mentor Program where Kevinian mentors and mentees develop each other's skills. Offers to mentor have been well received and more are invited. We do seek mentees to register so we can broaden the scope of the program. Go to The SKOCA Directory: http://ap.ptly. com/vic/stkevins and "mentoring" is in the dropdown menu of "Community".

ARCHIVES

We were most pleased to receive a copy of a 1935 St Kevin’s group on retreat at La Verna in Kew run by the Franciscans. This picture does not appear in the Annual or is it in the archive. All of which makes us cherish its discovery. All donations and loans of archival items are gratefully received.

A CENTURY IN THE MAKING

Brian Daniel Walsh (SKC '35), our oldest Kevinian, celebrated his 100th birthday on St Patricks Day. Surrounded by family and friends from around Australia in Adelaide he marked the occasion with a little tipple (a gift from SKOCA) and a great big smile. A fantastic effort – what a life and as he says often "wouldn’t be dead for quids"!

AIDEN DIDONE (SKC '15) WINS PRESTIGIOUS PORTER CUP

Aiden Didone has collected his maiden international win taking out the Porter Cup at Niagra Falls Country Club in New York State. Aiden finished at 10-under-par to win by two strokes. A nice up and down by him on the par 3, 18th was enough to secure the two stroke victory.

“There were a lot of nerves out there and I just stuck with my game plan,” said Aiden.

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

As we move toward not sending items by mail we have to ensure we have your email address. Please send an email to oldcollegians@stkevins.vic.edu.au with your details. Best to avoid using work emails as they change so often. Add your mobile number as well to record that.

If you intend to hold a reunion in 2020 such as the decades 1960/70/80/90, 2000, 2010 or special event reunions like Premierships, please contact the Old Collegians office so we can assist. Best to plan early!

GOLDEN JUBILARIANS DAY

POSTPONED - Kevinians from 1970 and older are warmly invited to a celebratory day at the College featuring an assembly, tours and morning tea. Wives, partners and family carers are all most welcome. We will notify you when a new date has been arranged.

ANNUAL DINNER

The 74th Annual Dinner celebrating "Kevinians being there for Kevinians" has been postponed. A new is yet to be determined.

DALY, John Berchmans (SKC '46) 3/4/2019

STRACHAN, Peter Jack (SKC '67) 5/11/19.

CARROLL, Francis John (SKC '60) 8/1/2020)

DURHAM, Richard Francis (SKC '74) 4/1/2020

O’CONNOR, Kevin John (SKC '39) 25/2/2020

RYAN, Dr Edward (Ted) Leo (SKC '38) 22/1/2019

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ StKevinsOCA LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com and search for St Kevins Old Collegians group

Also, it helps us if in the education part of your own profile on Linkedin you enter St Kevin’ College.

SKOCA MEETINGS

The SKOCA Committee has initiated a series of open forum meetings so all members can attend and discuss issues relevant to developing the Association. At the moment they will be in February and again in November but may increase in number.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST FORUMS

The first of hopefully many Round Table Business Breakfasts occurred on 21 February. The theme was Practical Entrepreneurship with guest Speaker Stewart Koziora (SKC '87). A keen group attended the first and it is hoped to engage as many themes as possible. Kevinains with ideas for themes and hosting offers are most welcome

FELLOWSHIP

The aim of the SKOCA “Old Kevinian Fellowship” is to provide St Kevin’s Old Collegians with the support and encouragement to undertake travel, study and/or a project which provides a unique opportunity for self-development and discovery that goes beyond the benefits offered by a higher education.

Furthermore it is hoped that Fellows will become ambassadors within the wider College community and in particular role models to students by participating in the College's emerging leadership, speaker or other programs within the College upon completion of their Fellowship year.

Applications close on 30 April. The award is a cash grant of up to $5,000. The application process is available via the Resources section of the Old Collegians page on the College website:

http://stkevins.vic.edu.au/community/oldcollegians

MICHAEL J. DAVEY – RIP

It is with sadness that we report of the passing of Mr Michael Davey RIP 8/3/2020.

Mr Davey was on the staff from 1974 to 1995 and in that time served the College as a fine classroom teacher, APS Delegate and Deputy Headmaster (1984–1995) and Acting Headmaster twice for 6 month periods. Upon retirement, SKOCA awarded him Honorary Life Membership. He was often at SKOCA events and was a man who cared about students and families, who believed in the good a school can do. We hope this is a fitting tribute to him, emphasising the benefit of staff who make a difference to others.