From the Chairman | June 2023

We are excited for SPOC to host its inaugural White & Blue Ball in Memorial Hall on Saturday, 5 August.  You can expect a fun night of nostalgia that will hark back to Blue & White formals of years gone by. The event will bring together old scholars, their partners, current and past parents and staff. Gather some friends and join us for what should be an unforgettable night!  Book your tickets here.

After the tremendous success of last year's School House Reunion, we are thrilled to extend an invitation to all former boarders to come back to Saints for a Boarders’ Reunion on Friday, 4 August.  We have planned this event the evening before the White & Blue Ball in the hope that our boarders will be able to attend both events and really make a weekend of it.

We held our SPOC Annual General Meeting in May, during which we welcomed David Docwra and Paul Hadfield, two long-serving teaching staff, and Joe Thorp, former Chair of the Council of Governors, as Honorary Members. Their recognition was so very well deserved and reflects our gratitude for not only their incredible service, but also for the lasting impact they have each had on the broader Saints community. 

Image: SPOC President Oren Klemich (DAC 1979), Chairman Oliver Sheahan (HWK 2007), Treasurer Andrew Jonats (YNG 1987) with 2023 Honorary Members Joe Thorp, David Docwra and Paul Hadfield.

We also thanked and farewelled Tony Keynes (SCH 1970), a retiring committee member who had served on the SPOC Committee for 47 years. Tony has been nothing short of an inspiration to us all, and we thank him again for his unwavering and unrivalled service and support over so many years. David Docwra has written a tribute to Tony here.

In May, James Sarah (DAC 1982) and Tim Sarah (DAC 1985) shared the inspiring story of their family business, Sarah Constructions, at the SPOC Business Lunch, and the Fleurieu Luncheon, held at the Flying Fish Café in Port Elliot, was a sell-out.  We thank Rob Gun (FLL 1963) and Richard Fairweather (HWK 1962) for convening this event.

Image: Old scholars and their guests enjoyed the SPOC Business Lunch held at The Lion Hotel on Friday 26 May.

Image: SPOC President Oren Klemich (DAC 1979) thanks guests at the Fleurieu Lunch at The Flying Fish Restaurant, Port Elliot.

This year marks a significant milestone for many old scholars. The Class of 1963 will gather at the Old Blues Luncheon on Thursday, 12 October, whilst the Classes of 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003 will have a Combined Reunion Dinner on Saturday, 4 November.  Please check SPOC Connect – which I again encourage all old scholars to join – to book and for further details of any of our upcoming events.

On behalf of all Old Scholars, I congratulate recent King's Birthday Honours recipient Michael Jay AM (DAC 1964) for this well-deserved honour in recognition of his significant contributions to otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and professional organisations. Congratulations.

See you at the White & Blue Ball!

Oliver Sheahan (HWK 2007)
SPOC Chairman