Geoff Doolan Still At School!

The Doolan family’s connection with St Virgil’s College goes back to its very beginnings.  His father, Eric Doolan, attended at the first year of the College in 1911 and in due course, his three sons – Ron, Ian and Geoff – would follow.

Geoff was part of the graduating class of 1955 - the class that produced five of the top 20 places in the matriculation examinations in Tasmania. This same group has held a formal reunion every five years for the past forty years (and less formally prior), with Geoff being a secretary/organizer of these gatherings.

After a short two year University sojourn, Geoff joined the Australian Tax Office 1957 leaving in 1989. He then formed his own company which specialised in property syndications and self-managed superannuation funds. In 2003 he sold the business and retired.

Other History

Geoff married Kathleen (Kate) Hicks in January 1970 and have three children. Firstly Craig (SVC 1965-90), who is a Chief Officer in the Merchant Marine, Erica (a nurse) and Leanne (a physiotherapist).

He served as President of the St Virgil’s Parents & Friends Association for a period and was secretary to the first SVC Board of Management 1989-1990 during which time he, along with two other volunteers, developed the Board’s Constitution.

In 1954 hockey became part of the College’s sporting landscape under the guidance of the Catholic Hockey Club (formerly the Catholic Games Club and to eventually to morph into the Diamondbacks). Geoff was a member of the SVC senior hockey team. Post school, he continued with hockey and was coaching SVC hockey teams up till about 1990.

Dinghy sailing, ocean racing, yacht restoration and administration have been a significant ‘distraction’ for much of Geoff’s life.

Geoff and Kate purchased the 37’ ketch “ISIS” and it had many sailing adventures among which were trips to Port Davey and up to Flinders Island.

He crewed in Cadet Dinghies 1951-1957 representing Tasmania in 1956 in Adelaide in “Falcon” for the Stonehaven Cup (the year of the Olympics in Melbourne).

Geoff won 1st Division yachting at the Royal Hobart Regatta in 1959 aged 20 in “Tula”. Won Shipwrights Point New Years Day Regatta 1st January 1960. Crewed with “Nell Gwyn” 13 years 1960-73 (included 3 Sydney Hobarts). Sailing Master on “Anaconda” 5 years (2 Sydney Hobarts and 2 Westcoasters and received the 1977 State Govt Trophy for “Westcoaster” Line Honours Navigator.

In total he sailed in ten Sydney Hobarts, two West Coasters, three Brisbane - Gladstone’s and undertook the delivery of many yachts interstate. Also raced in Ford Week at Cork, Southern Ireland.

He acted as navigator and mother ship radio operator for two Round Tasmania events and has cruised Turkey, Greece and Croatian coastlines. Geoff was adept at the use of a sextant in earlier days prior to GPS taking over.

Geoff was involved in the restoration of the 28’ Huon Pine gaff-rigged “SAO” (launched in Launceston 1898). Both “ISIS” and “SAO” were exhibited multiple times at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

In perusing the St Virgil’s Yearbooks it appears that the College’s involvement in sailing dates back to 1979, with its participation in schools’ sailing competition being facilitated by interested parents and the various local sailing clubs.

Brother Peter Flint (SVC staff 1998-2018) and Geoff became instrumental in changing the profile and operation of sailing at the College.

In 2006 the College acquired six pacers and a RIB (rigid Inflatable boat). The RIB was a necessity for the safe oversight of the emerging sailors.  These craft were housed at the Austins Ferry Yacht Club (AFYC). Much of the cost associated with the acquisition of these craft was made possible through a generous benefactor with Geoff and Kate being trustees of the fund.

In 2016, with the AFYC being no longer viable, St Virgil’s initially rented the facility, but after extensive negotiations with the AFYC and the State Government the lease on the land was reallocated and the site rebranded as the ‘SVC Marine Education Centre’ (MEC).  

The MEC now houses 12 yachts and two support craft (RIBs) – in addition to the six pacers, Geoff was able to facilitate the purchase of six Sabot dinghies from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.

Geoff’s role in the acquisition of the Centre and the associated equipment, his mentoring of student in this sport and his involvement in the necessary ongoing maintenance associated with the Centre’s operation has been enormous.  St Virgil’s and its students are the beneficiary of his significant input.