STUDENTS, TEACHERS & ASSOCIATES in the PATRICIAN COMMUNITY

FROM 1854 TO 1968

For over a century, many people associated with St. Patrick's College have not only made a significant contribution to the life of the College community, but have continued to make a difference in the wider society beyond their time at St. Pat's. It is now more than fifty years since the College closure, and we still recall those who were, or still are, a part of our Patrician community.

The College community has included students, teachers, parents and supporters – all Patricians in one respect or another. Those who have stood in the courtyard behind the buildings on the corner of Lansdowne Street and Cathedral Place have memories of their time there, and have contributed to the images that we all retain. There are some whose legacy has been memorable beyond what they left behind in the classrooms and the courtyard. SPOCA wishes to recognize the contribution which some of its alumni have made, above and beyond what may be reasonably expected of those who have obtained the benefits of a Jesuit education.

It is within that framework that we recall the names and lives of some of the “Notable Patricians” who have left a mark within their community. With humility, we suggest that the “Patrician ethos” which those Notables experienced at St. Pat's may have contributed in some way to their status and achievements later in their lifetimes. Hopefully, the stories which follow here will provide reminders and enlightenment of the breadth and depth of influence which St. Patrick's College has had, not only within the immediate township of Melbourne,  but throughout Australia and across the globe, and in many fields of endeavour.

For a number of years, on the original SPOCA website, there has been recognition given to some Patricians whose life-after-school was noted in short summaries. More recently, the Committee has thought that there may be a longer story which can be told about some of our ‘Notables’ beyond the brief outline which had been originally provided. Accordingly, such longer stories will gradually be added to the website over time. They can be accessed from the 'Longer Stories' section (see menu list at top left or top right of your screen, depending on the device you use) or click on an underlined surname link in the list below (not all Notables have been researched yet for sufficient information to write their story – it is hoped that a few will be completed each year). 

In 1906, The Argus was writing a series of articles on Melbourne's public schools. On 9 March, an article was included about St Pat's (and appeared in the 2006 issue of Xavier's annual magazine). In addition to outlining some of the early history of the College, it also included the names of quite a number of past students who had gone on to become very well known in the community. A copy of the article can be viewed here or can be read directly in the newspaper (obtained from the Trove website; this scanned copy is a bit difficult to read in parts, but it is interesting to see the original).

NOTABLE PATRICIANS

(dates indicate years at St Patrick's, arranged in order of date of first enrollment or involvement; underlined surnames indicate a link to a longer life story)

John MADDEN (1859-1861)

• • • BA, LLB (Uni of Melb); LLD (1869); M.P. (1874, 1876-83); Chief Justice (1893, 1899); Lieutenant-Governor; Chancellor Uni of Melb (1897); knighted (1893), KCMG (1899), GCMG (1906); first president of (revised) SPOCA (1912)

Patrick MOLONEY (1859-1861)

• • • Medical degree (Uni. of Melb.; first to begin and complete course in Victoria, 1862-67); Physician, Melbourne Hospital (1868-73); member Yorick Club (1868) and well-known poet, orator and literateur; President, Medical Society of Victoria; Editor, Australian Medical Journal; Chief Medical Officer, Victoria

Percy McDONNELL (1870-1875)

• • • Victorian, then Australian, Cricket teams; toured England 4 times, incl. as capt. 1887-88); stockbroker

Timothy RYAN (1873-1875)

• • • MB, BS (Uni of Melb); Essendon FC (pre VFL; capt.); active in Old Collegians' Association

Augustus KENNY (1876-1877)

• • • Degrees in Medicine and Chemistry (Uni of Melb); pioneer of eye surgery, first eye specialist at St. Vincent's Hospital; founder Ophthalmology Association of Aust; a founder Aust College of Surgeons, President Vic Branch British Medical Association; Papal Order of St. Gregory (1888), Papal Chamberlain (1907), KGCStG (1929), CMG (1938)

Timothy McINERNEY (early 1880s)

• • • Degree in Law; 1st Victorian Infantry Regiment (1891, Lieutenant); volunteer, Boer War 1899 (Captain); Queen's Advocate and Chief Magistrate (Pretoria, 1901); District Commissioner & Resident Magistrate (Transvaal, 1902); returned to Melbourne (1907); Assistant Provost Marshal (1914-18); promoted Lt-Colonel (1916); Committee Old Boys' Association (1912-20).

John HENNESSY (1889-1892 & 1906-1942)

• • • Studied Art at NGV under Frederick McCubbin and L. Bernard Hall; returned to St. Pat's to teach Art for 36 years; held exhibitions of his own work around various Melbourne galleries during 1920s; member of Twenty Melbourne Painters Society during 1930s; has been referred to as 'Australia's Rembrandt'.

Robert SOLLY (1896-1900)

• • • Architect with Wundelich Ltd (incl. time as a Director); Honorary Member Master Builders Association; Melbourne City Council (1934-68!); Lord Mayor (1953-54); established Olympic Civil Committee

Joseph POLACK (1901-1904)

• • • LDS, BDSc (Uni of Melb, 1909), Doctorate Dental Science (1919); Dean of Dental Faculty, Chairman State Dental Council, Chief Examiner of Dental Students, Hon. Director Radiography Dental Hospital, Sec. Public Health Association Aust.

John O'HAGAN (1907-13; added since original list was drawn up)

• • • Songwriter & Singer; Music & Radio Presenter and Administrator

Walter BRODERICK (1912-1915)

• • • Proprietor Vic Grains Stores; member SPOCA (president 1934); owner Light Fingers (Melbourne Cup winner 1965)

John MORRIS (1917-1920)

• • • BA, LLB, MA  (Uni of Melb); Chief Justice Tasmania (1939); Chancellor Tas. Uni. (1944); knighted (1943), KCMG (1952)

John GALBALLY (1925-1927)

• • • Collingwood FC (1933-34); Law graduate (Uni of Melb); QC; Legislative Council (1947-55); CBE (1980)

Richard PIRRIE (1934-1938)

• • • Hawthorn FC (1940-41); Enlisted R.A.N. (1941); killed Normandy landing; M.I.D.

Vincent BUCKLEY (1938-1942)

• • • Academic (University of Melbourne); Poet & Editor; social commentator and social activist; member of Newman Society; awards include Australian Literary Society Medal and Christopher Brennan Award; name given to Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize at University of Melbourne.

John DRURY SJ (1962-68)

• • • College Rector; Parish Priest; Spiritual Director

The Wider Patrician Group

There are also many Patricians who have had an interesting life-story, irrespective of any 'notable' achievements, but which others would enjoy reading. Such stories will also be added to our website when time and effort permit the drawing together of sufficient details to make their reading likely to be worthwhile. It is hoped that these will include some Patrician stories from all eras including the most recent. In that spirit, contributions (or suggestions with useful details) are welcome from everyone.