From time to time, various Patricians catch up with one another after a break of some time. Sometimes after a month or two and sometimes after a decade or two!

Alternatively, a Patrician may have achieved a milestone or have an interesting life-story to share.

This section of the website is intended to provide an opportunity to let Patricians know what they or others have been doing or who has been meeting whom! Send reports of social gatherings, achievements or other stories to SPOCA via the email address below and we'll try to incorporate it into this or another relevant section of the website.

Some Thoughts Contributed by Friends on the Passing of an Old Patrician Mate

Upon receiving news of the passing of Chris Power, a number of his class mates were moved to bid him farewell and record their connection to him. While the 'official' SPOCA notice appears elsewhere on this website, those comments from friends have been included here on this less formal page. Names have not been included for privacy reasons, but that 'key' can be unlocked if current or future contributors send an email to SPOCA (scroll down for email address at bottom of page; others wishing to recall memories can also send something via that email address).

Initial notice sent by Bill Dowling to a number of classmates of Chris, and to some others who had also been in semi-regular contact:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I have just learned from Chris' oldest brother Bernard, that Chris sadly passed away last night.  Some of you may be aware that Chris has been fighting a particularly nasty cancer for the past 2-3 years which he has done with enormous courage and stoicism.

He was with his wife, Anne Marie, and a group of his friends in Creswick on a motor traveling expedition around Western Victoria undertaking one of his favourite pastimes doing something he really loved when he died suddenly but unexpectedly.

Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences are extended to Chris' wife, Anne Marie and family together with his Patrician brothers Bernard, Richard and Tony.

Some early replies to Bill's news ...

Really sad news about Chris.

What a good guy who loved the Patricians.

Condolences to the Power family.

Very sad news to hear. 

Sincere condolences to the Power family.

Big shock, was hoping to catch up with Chris at the end of the month.

Have been conversing with Mario Dolfen, they were best friends.

My son Michael will be saddened by this news as he hit it off with Chris on Anzac Day.

Please let us know about funeral arrangements.

keep well,

And a somewhat longer recollection ...

I am shattered to hear the news my bestie school mate, fellow band member, exemplary bass player for Morbid Apple, Bomber supporter, car rally driving expert, piss head, dope smoke n professor of ozzie vernacular and just “state the bleedin' truth as I see it, Champion!” colleague thru life, has suddenly departed.  We have lost an icon, not of virtue, but of Australian larrikinism! I share in the loss of many and mourn his passing as he would wish, with dignity, disdain for the mediocre and despair for those that remain normal.  Raise a glass, smoke a blunt and toast our friend, schoolmate and the most down-to-earth and real persona we may ever have known. 

I offer my deeply felt sympathies to his soul mate and wife Anne-Marie, and his remaining kin Bernard, Richard and Tony “Weed” Power and Terry Maloney of the Irish clan.

Vale Chris Power.  Gone but never forgotten!

Your true friend

A Brick from the Wall

An interesting story came to light in March-April (2025) about a part of the old school. At the time of the demolition, one of the bluestone pitchers was 'rescued' from the rubble and looked after for decades – for much of that time it was in Queensland! Eventually, it has found its way back to Melbourne and is now stored among the many other items of SPOCA memorabilia in the Xavier archives. Details are described in the story which can be read here.

Xavier archivist (Catherine Hall) wrote a letter recording the receipt of the rock for storage, and a photo recorded the delivery!

A Note from Denmark!

SPOCA has recently (May 2025) received an email from another of our distant Old Patricians. It is another of the select group of the 1968 Grade 5s. It's great that there are quite a number who were only at St Pat's for just one year when they would have been about 11 years old but still retain some connection to and affection for the place!

This recent OP was Michael Sitch. His email and a couple of pics can be accessed from this link. Bill Dowling plans to get in touch with him and send a few pics of those from that group who have been at recent Glenferrie or Golf days. Hopefully we can catch up with Mick at the next "Gathering at the G", but if not we will try to round up a few representatives for a coffee or beer when Mick is down under again.

1968 Intermediate Gathering (again ... 2024!)

A number of the ’68 Intermediate class formed a particularly strong bond and a lasting camaraderie whilst at the College. Since leaving St Pat’s, they have maintained close contact and have had informal get-togethers, initially organised by John “ Eggs” Lonergan, at least once per year and often twice per year.

This year (2024) was no different!!  The now-convenor, Tony Cahir, (when he is able to disengage himself from his busy commitments as a vigneron and involvement with the Panton Hill Football Club) arranged for a most entertaining get together on Grand Final Eve at the Lincoln Hotel in Carlton (which, coincidentally, opened in 1854, the same year as the College).

A major highlight was the reconnection of Greg Sinnott who came down from New South Wales where he has been living for many years and had lost contact with "the boys”.  It was also outstanding to see Peter Bonnett who hadn’t been to one of the gatherings for some time.  Apart from Greg and Peter, the other participants included: Tony Cahir, Shane Favaloro, Tim Ginnane, Gerry Mangan, Frank Brophy, Mick Hants and Peter Thompson.  Usual attendees who couldn't make it were Terry Martin, Mick Duncan and Gerard Quigley.  Unfortunately, everyone was having such a good time that no one thought to take any pictures! 

A Pleasant November Afternoon (2023)

There was a very sociable group of OPs who caught up for a chat in November (2023). The report below outlines the general arrangements for the occasion, with a photo showing who was there (the photographer didn't quite make it into the pic ... readers can work out who he was from the attendance list!).

Brendan LANE (57-63)

Recently Brendan reached a commendable milestone .. 50 years in the priesthood (August 2023)! A report has been added to the melbourne catholic website with some photos. Some of those photos have also been added to our Victorian Collections website. Click on either of those links to read about Brendan's achievement.

The Five Amigos

A group of mates from the later 1960s have been in occasional contact over the years. Some of them include Bill Dowling, John Higgins, Tony Bahr, Rick Favaloro and Peter Rogan. Among this group, Tony has been having a few health issues of late so the other four decided it was time for them to get together for a chat and a drink. The event was organized for later May 2023 ... Bill has forwarded the following summary of the day's unfolding ...