One of SPC鈥檚 history-making rowers, Aaron McInerney (SPC 1989-91), sadly passed away on 3 November 2025, aged 52 years.
Aaron was part of the 1990 Firsts鈥� crew to win SPC鈥檚 first Ballarat Head of the Lake title in 29 years.
The crew, made up of Robert Calnon (bow), Aaron (second), Danny Hayter (third), Anthony Edwards (stroke) and Daniel Morgan (cox), became known as the 鈥渄rought breakers鈥� after their win.
Their rowing boat hangs from the ceiling of SPC鈥檚 main hallway to this day.
A Funeral Mass was held for Aaron at St Joseph鈥檚 Catholic Church in Timboon on 10 November, with a large number of Old Boys in attendance, including some of his 1990 Head of the Lake crew mates.
Aaron was a full-time boarder from Timboon, along with his brother Matthias (SPC 1988-93). Aaron was a member of the Legion of Mary and the First XVIII football program in 1991 (although a knee injury saw him miss a considerable part of the season), however it was rowing where he excelled.
He was a member of the sixths crew in his first year at the College (Year 10) in 1989, and was elevated to the Firsts crew in 1990.
Very much the underdogs, news reports from the day recorded SPC establishing a half-length lead by the halfway stage of the 2000-metre event, holding on to win by that margin.
Ballarat and Clarendon College finished second with 1989鈥檚 winner Ballarat and Queens Anglican Grammar School third.
While 乐播传媒视频鈥檚 won the inaugural Head-of-the-Lake in 1914, The Courier newspaper reported 鈥淪aturday鈥檚 victory rivalled any of the 10 subsequent titles鈥�.
The father-son coaching combination of Kevin and Chris O鈥橞rien reported describing the win as 鈥渓ike a dream鈥�.
Aaron and the Firsts鈥� crew won the SPC Rowing Award in 1990, and Aaron received the award again in 1991. He and his crew finished fourth in the Head of the Lake in 1991.
Aaron was remembered as 鈥渁 strong and proud boarder鈥�.聽After completing Year 12 at SPC, Aaron undertook a plumbing apprenticeship. He was remembered as 鈥渂eing fastidious聽with his plumbing work and always took pride with delivering a quality service and product鈥�.
Aaron also worked offshore on various oil rigs internationally and was well respected聽by the workers he supervised. Aaron worked interstate on gas lines in remote locations interstate.
He also worked聽as a cray fisherman on boats out of Port Campbell close to Timboon, his home.
Aaron鈥檚 mother Lynette made mention that he had a real connection with the water and ocean, which was demonstrated with high聽level achievements聽in his聽swimming聽as a junior, rowing at SPC, kayaking and surfing.
He had a smile that will always be remembered.
Aaron was the much-loved father of Patrick. He was the son of John and Lynette, and a loved brother and loved uncle. We extend our sympathy to Aaron鈥檚 extended family and friends.
