Volume 27 No.3 November 2017 - Toowoomba Grammar School€¦ · Volume 27 No.3 November 2017. 1 A publication of Toowoomba Grammar School PO Box 2900, ... Grammar School commencing

The Headmaster’s new Senior Leadership TeamPage 2

Challenges at the Annual Cadet CampPage 7-8

Dr George Fielding Award for Diligence and ApplicationPage 15

Volume 27 No.3 November 2017

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A publication of Toowoomba Grammar School PO Box 2900, Toowoomba Qld 435024 Margaret Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350Tel: 07 4687 2500 Fax: 07 4687 2582Email: [email protected] Web: www.twgs.qld.edu.auCricos Registration No: 00525D ABN 86 510 299 250

Incorporating Balliwanga, the newsletter of the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys’ Association Inc.Email: [email protected] Web: www.tgsoba.org.auABN 38 614 918 181

The Headmaster’s new Senior Leadership TeamPage 2

Challenges at the Annual Cadet CampPage 7-8

Dr George Fielding Award for Diligence and ApplicationPage 15

Volume 27 No.3 November 2017

www.twgs.qld.edu.au Toowoomba Grammar School @toowoombagsDownload the TGS App

Editor: Toowoomba Grammar School Publications Department

Photography: TGS Publications Department and various students and staff members & Mr W. McRae

Front Cover: 125th Anniversary of the Toowoomba Grammar School Cadet Unit March Out Parade

Inside Cover: 1986 TGS Athletics Captain, Simon Taylor pictured with his son Matthew, the 2017 Junior School Athletics Captain

CORRECTION In the August edition, on page 5, we provided an Address by Mr Richard Hodgson wherein he recalled his father speaking of Old Boys including ‘the late “Twang” Dunbar’. We apologise for the misinformation – Mr Dunbar is alive and well and living in Melbourne and the school has apologised to him for this inaccuracy. Further, on page 23 in the ‘Deaths’ section, Old Boy Julian Elms’ (1967-71) name was misprinted.

From the President ..............................................................................................23

Reminiscences, Trustee John Handley ................................................25

Old Boy News ...........................................................................................................27

From the Headmaster ...........................................................................................2

Former Senior Prefect Assembly Guest ..................................................3

Artwork donation to the School ..................................................................4

Academic Success in Science ..........................................................................4

Major Queensland Student Art Award ....................................................5

Annual Cadet Camp ...............................................................................................7

Sony Foundation Children's Holiday Camp ........................................9

GPS Swimming Honour Board ....................................................................10

Third in Australia in Football (Soccer) ...................................................11

The O'Callaghan Cup (Rugby) .....................................................................12

Free Rugby Boots!! ..............................................................................................13

New Academic Diligence Award Created ..........................................15

The Performing Arts Drama ..........................................................................16

Oliver The Musical ................................................................................................17

From the Junior School ....................................................................................19

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A feature of a highly successful

independent school is its ability to have

extremely talented staff being offered key

educational appointments in other schools.

Such has occurred at Toowoomba Grammar

School with the promotion of our Deputy

Headmaster, Mr Timothy Kelly, being invited

to become the next Principal of Townsville

Grammar School commencing 1 January

2018. The entire Toowoomba Grammar

School community congratulates Mr Kelly

on this most senior

posting in one of

Queensland’s eight

original Grammar

Schools. Mr Kelly

has been the

Deputy Headmaster

of our School since

2007 and his work

ethic, performance

and educational vision have been exemplary

throughout this period. Mr Kelly will be

appropriately thanked in more detail in the

School’s annual report and school magazine.

A most successful school should also

have the ability to promote from within

under certain circumstances. The School

should have staff of sufficient quality to be

promoted to more senior roles. With Mr

Kelly’s promotion to Principal of Townsville

Grammar School, the position of Deputy

Headmaster arose and has now been filled by

Mr John Anderson,

the School’s

current Head of

Senior School.

Prior to coming

to Toowoomba

Grammar School

in 2005, Mr

Anderson was

the Acting Principal of Blackheath and

Thornborough College. Upon transferring

to Toowoomba Grammar School Mr

Anderson held the senior management

role of Director of Sport and Activities.

Later, in 2013, he was promoted to a newly

created position as Head of Senior School.

Another most positive consequence

of a school operating at an optimal level is

its ability to attract capable staff as future

employees. Toowoomba Grammar School

can provide countless examples of this in

recent years. With the internal promotion

of Mr Anderson to the position of Deputy

Headmaster, the School has been able to

attract one of its former teachers back to the

School to fill this

position. I refer to

Mr Mark Oliphant

who was a teacher

of Health and

Physical Education

and Science at

Toowoomba

Grammar School

from 2005-

2011. For three years he was the Boarding

Housemaster of Boyce House and he also

held the role of Acting Director of Sport

and Activities for one term. Mr Oliphant

then transferred to one of the GPS member

schools in Sydney, Newington College,

where he was a senior Housemaster.

Three years later he decided to return

to Queensland to undertake his current

employment as Director of Boarding at

Anglican Church Grammar School, ‘Churchie’.

Mr Oliphant holds a Masters degree

in Education and is a Director of the

Australian Boarding Schools’ Association.

In earlier years he was a member of

the Australian triathlon team and a

Queensland champion in duathlon.

Another example of Toowoomba

Grammar School having the ability to fill key

management positions is in the successor

to Mr Ian Young who, until his retirement in

September, had been the School’s Business

Manager for thirty years. With a wealth of

experience in school operations, finance

and corporate governance it may have

been a major concern for the School to find

a suitably experienced replacement. The

School has been most fortunate in being able

to attract the former Chief Financial Officer/

Business Manager of Ipswich Grammar

School, Mrs Debbie McCourt. We wish Mrs

McCourt a long and successful career with us.

In summary, the boys of Toowoomba

Grammar School and I are extremely

fortunate in having the services of

such a talented and committed

teaching and non-teaching staff.

With best wishes,

Peter B HauserHeadmaster

Dear Readers,

HeadmasterFrom the

The boys of Toowoomba

Grammar School and I

are extremely fortunate

in having the services

of such a talented and

committed teaching

and non-teaching staff.

Mr Timothy Kelly

Mr John Anderson

Mr Mark Oliphant

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On Thursday, 27 July, Mr Mark Horstman attended the School for the Academic Honours Assembly. Mr Horstman was a dayboy from 1978-1982. He was active in the diving club, biology lab, debating teams, school plays, cadets, and as Senior Prefect. He studied zoology and marine biology at James Cook University, served as president of the Student Union, and graduated with a science degree. During the nineties, he worked in environmental management and protection throughout Northern Australia with organisations as diverse as the Cape York Land Council, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Queensland Premier’s Department, and the Kimberley Land Council, while living in many different parts of the country.

Mr Horstman left the red sands of Broome for the bright lights of Sydney to join ABC's Radio National as a cadet science journalist in 2002. He went on to make award-winning TV

stories for Catalyst from Antarctica, Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and throughout Australia, until ABC-TV's weekly science program was cancelled in 2016. Now based in Hobart with his wife and two children, he works as a freelance science journalist and producer.

Mr Horstman’s address to the boys was an honest reflection on his career, including

the recent redundancy experienced when his show was cancelled by the ABC. His message of resilience was reinforced with his focus on the driving forces for his career; his passion for science, in particular environmental issues, for social justice and his determination to bring those passions into his career.

Old Boy, Mr Mark Horstman and Headmaster, Mr Peter Hauser

Mr Mark Horstman

Queensland Business Awards

Two Year 10 Commerce students, Sam

Pegler and Rajdeep Singh, have been

placed first and second in Queensland

in Division One of the 2017 CPA Plan Your Own Enterprise. Sam will present his

business plan to a group of judges in the

national finals in Melbourne in October.

Academic Honours Assembly Guest

Sam Pegler and Rajdeep Singh

The Brisbane Valley Rail line was progressively constructed between1884 and 1913, providing a vital rail link from Wulkuraka (just to the west of Ipswich on the Ipswich/Toowoomba line) eventually to Yarraman. The entire line was finally closed in 1991. It has since been converted to a recreational trail catering for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The trail provided the ideal setting for a two-day cycling expedition for a small number of boys from Years 7-8 who volunteered to participate in this Adventure Club activity. On the first day the boys, together with TGS teachers Mr Brodie Bassingthwaighte and Mr

Paul Sullivan, set out from Toogoolawah on Saturday morning aiming for their overnight stop at Lowood. By its very nature, the gradient of a rail line is not usually steep so the riding was easy. Reminders of a time past were evident along the trail – speed signs, ‘w’ for whistle signs and siding name signs in the typical black on white timber. Day one cycling involved 55 kilometres with an overnight stay in tents at the Lowood Showgrounds. Day two involved riding from Lowood to Wulkuraka (31 kms). The boys enjoyed the ride with the only complaint being bumpy trails over time with the resultant sore backsides.

Cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

4

Ian R. Copeland attended TGS from 1947-1950 and was involved in cross country running and representing the School as a member of the shooting team, receiving School Colours. In his professional life Ian was an industrial chemist. On the evening of Saturday, 9 September the Annual Reunion Dinner for Old Boys was held at Rumours

International. 219 Old Boys and partners attended the function which was primarily held for those Old Boys concluding their schooling from 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997 and 2007. At the dinner Ian recounted to the Headmaster that years ago he had won an oil painting of School House in a raffle which he has now kindly donated to

the School in memory of his brother Old Boy Geoffrey Copeland (1951-1954) who was also a teacher at TGS 1957-1959.

Artwork donation to the School

Academic Success in Science

Boys in Year 7 through to Year 10 performed creditably again this year in The University of New South Wales (UNSW) International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Science Competition with 19 boys receiving Distinction awards. Senior Chemistry students performed particularly well, with five High Distinctions in the Australian National Chemistry Quiz. High Distinctions are awarded to students scoring in the top ten percent of Queensland.

After an outstanding performance at the Darling Downs regional level of the Science and Engineering Challenge, the Toowoomba Grammar School Year 10 team progressed to the State Final held in September at which they were placed fourth overall in Queensland.

Old Boy, Mr Ian Copeland and Headmaster, Mr Peter Hauser

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a national program that supports students with an interest in Science-based tertiary studies. Three of our Year 12 students were accepted into this program and two Year 11 students have been selected for the 2018 NYSF program.

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The School is delighted to congratulate one of its Year 12 students, Austin Reed, on his “Excellence Award” at this year’s Creative Generations Visual Art Awards (formerly known as The Minister’s Award). Austin is one of only approximately 40 students in Queensland presented with this honour. He has been invited to hang his work in an exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane next year.

Austin is one of the School’s top academics and is studying English, Mathematics B, Mathematics C, Chemistry, Physics and Art. He combines an academic passion for Mathematics and is considering a number of options for his tertiary education. These include submitting an application to study a Bachelor of Mathematics with Honours at Cambridge University in England next year. In describing his self-portrait, Austin said:

Major Queensland Student Art Award

Artwork by Austin Reed, Year 12 TGS – to hang in an exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane in 2018

I painted the self-portrait as an outlet, a vehicle by which I can express my inner emotions in their truest, most transparent form. It is the first in a series of works exploring my personality and in particular the duality that exists. This work focuses on my darker side, that I describe as hardworking, perfectionist and analytical.

I attempted to convey this theme through various elements within the composition, including the

clothing and the high contrast of colour and tone.

The School was thrilled to welcome back to TGS Young Old Boy, Matt Denny (2011-2013) who represented Australia in discus at the 2013 World Youth, 2014 World Juniors, 2015 World University Games, 2016 Rio Olympics and who was also selected in the 2017 World University Games. The occasion was the Track and Field Camp at Emu Gully wherein 44 boys attended.

It was a double victory for Toowoomba Grammar School in our boys winning both the Open Division and Junior Division Championships in the 2017 Toowoomba District Teams’ Chess Championships. The School’s Open Team was the overall champion team of the competition gaining 22 points out of a possible 24 points. Our boys and staff also congratulated the team representing St Joseph’s College (Toowoomba) on securing second place. Our winning team will now represent our region in the Queensland Secondary Schools State Chess Finals in October. Of interest, the TGS Junior School

team accrued more points than every other secondary school team in Toowoomba with the exception of the team from St Joseph’s College gaining second place.

TGS Old Boy Olympian Assists at the Track and Field Training Camp

Toowoomba District Schools’ Team Chess Champions

Captain of Chess, Connor Hill

6

Three of the School’s Year 12 Art students had samples of their artistic work displayed at a regional exhibition at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery: Austin Reed, Ryan Deacon and Flynn Eadie.

Ryan and Flynn’s entries are shown

here. At a function at the Toowoomba

Regional Art Gallery were the School’s

two Senior School Art teachers, Mr Giles

Murfin (Teacher-in-Charge) and Mrs

Leanne Penberthy, both of whom were

extremely proud to note the talent and

success of their students.

Flynn Eadie, Year 12

Ryan Deacon, Year 12

Further Art Success

7

During the period 16 -23 September, forty-

nine cadets and two staff members attended

the South Queensland Brigade Annual Camp

at Greenbank Training Area south of Brisbane.

The structure of the camp for this week was

in two tiers, with over 1000 cadets plus staff

assembling at Greenbank from as far north as

Bundaberg, as far west as Charleville, down to

St George and the NSW border. The first day

was very trying for the cadets as they waited

seven hours to be admitted to the camp and

their Battalion areas.

Cadets in Tier 1 included two nights and

two days in the field doing day and night

navigation and field activities. They also

had a trip to Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera

where the 2/14 Brigade put on a display of

vehicles and armoury for the cadets and

they had the opportunity to shoot at the

WTSS facility with the standard military

rifle, the F88 Steyr. Other activities included

team building activities, archery, inflatable

obstacle course, rock wall climbing and radio

communication on the Raven RTF200 the

latest cadet communication equipment.

Tier 2 had a different structure of activities

this year and cadets had been given the

option to choose a specialisation prior to

the camp. The specialisations included:

Robotics with lego where the cadets built

their machines and then programmed them

to do a function; Re-con which improved

the reconnaissance skills for the cadets; first

aid where the cadets received a certificate;

communications where they learnt advanced

radio communication skills on the Raven

RTF200; Survival where cadets skinned a

rabbit and quall and cooked them on an

open fire; the highlight for some cadets

The School is proud to have its Cadet Unit as the longest continuously serving Unit in Queensland with this year celebrating its 125th year in operation. Cadets at Toowoomba Grammar School is a voluntary activity but is well supported by many boys.

Other activities included team building activities, archery, inflatable obstacle course,

rock wall climbing and radio communication on the Raven

RTF200 the latest cadet communication equipment.

AnnualCadet Camp

8

was the drone experience where they

operated drones on a number of tactical

activities. The Tier 2 cadets also had training

on the operation of the F88 Steyr and the

opportunity to shoot on an open range.

The overall comments from cadets

when questioned prior to their departure

from the Camp were that they enjoyed the

activity; were exhausted with early morning

starts at 4.45 am or earlier; dusty from the

clouds of dust created by the movement

of cadets and vehicles; looking forward to

a shower and their own beds and getting

back their mobile phones which had not

been allowed at camp for the whole week!

For the period 23 September to the 27

September 3 cadets and TGS staff member

and Co-ordinator of Cadets Mrs Ann Hallam

stayed on for the Tier 3 camp which was

to provide a military experience for the

cadets. The cadets participated in sections

under the command of a platoon ADF

commander with an Army Cadet Staff to

supervise. The scenario was a humanitarian/

peace keeping based exercise which

provided some confronting situations such

as food distribution; casualty evacuations,

vehicle check points; negotiations; security;

navigation and patrolling and shooting with

the F88 rifle and F89 machine gun on an

open range. The cadets were challenged

the whole time and were expected to

function like an ADF section in the field.

9

For three days and two nights, 35 young guests with some disability were cared for by their Year 11 TGS companions. The majority of the guests live locally, attending schools including Toowoomba West Special School, Highfields State School, Gabbinbar State School, Wilsonton State School and Clifford Park Special School. Over the three days, the companions (46 from TGS, 12 from The Glennie School and 12 from Fairholme College) did a fantastic job of caring for their guest. For many of the companions this is a considerable undertaking as few would have had the responsibility of caring for someone else over an extended period of time. They should all be very pleased with how they looked after their guest. Whilst there are plenty of activities on offer during the camp including swimming, arts and crafts, music making, a disco, and a show day complete with rides, it is the quiet times where everyone has a chance to relax and get to know each other that seem to stand out. This year Sony artist and Eurovision contestant, Isaiah Firebrace, also visited which caused

a great deal of excitement. As per previous years, the organisation of the camp is a significant undertaking and this year’s camp was most ably led by the Deputy Headmaster,

Mr Timothy Kelly, and a committed group of Year 12 students as well as Mr John Anderson, Mr Jim Noble, Mrs Jenny Bazley and Sr Sharon Morgan.

Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp The School hosted its eleventh Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp over the first weekend of the September holidays.

The School is enthusiastic in attempting to record the names of boys who have distinguished themselves in GPS Swimming over the years. An Honour Board will be prepared and erected in the Aquatic Centre to display the names of all TGS boys who have won an Open event at the GPS

Swimming Championships or won three or more individual events in an under age group or broke a GPS record at the GPS Swimming Championships. A draft of the names of the swimmers to be honoured appears in the following table. The School would be very grateful to hear from any Old Boys who can

identify any omission or inaccuracy in the detail included. Any communication can be directed to the School’s Director of Sport and Activities, Mr David Bell, on 4687 2500 or [email protected]

Year Student's Name Event1928 Max Muller Open 50m breaststroke

1931 Ken Macalpine Open 100 yards freestyle

1934 Thomas Muller Open 50 yards freestyle

1935 Thomas Muller Open 50 yards freestyle

1935 Thomas Muller Open 100 yards freestyle

1935 Thomas Muller Open 50 yards backstroke

1937 Chisholm Bernays Open 50 yards breaststroke

1937 Douglas Moreton Open 400 yards freestyle

1945 Gordon Card Open 50 yards freestyle

1945 Gordon Card Open 50 yards backstroke

1949 Don Trenerry Under 14, 3 events, freestyle and backstroke

1950 Don Trenerry Under 15, 3 events, freestyle and backstroke

1969 Kent McGregor Open 100 metres backstroke

1971 James Ferguson Open breaststroke

1973 Des McGovern Open 100 metres backstroke

1977 Craig Seawright Open 100 metres breaststroke

1996 Grant Chandler Open 100m backstroke

1997 Grant Chandler Open 100m backstroke

2011 Alan Gibson, Patrick McNab, Braiden (BJ) Oates, Charles Carswell Under 13 Medley Relay GPS Record (from 2002)

2011 Braiden (BJ) Oates Under 13, 3 events, freestyle

2012 Braiden (BJ) Oates Under 14, 3 events, freestyle

2016 Benjamin Clarke Open 50m freestyle

2017 Dylan Stevens Open 200 metres freestyle

2017 Dylan Stevens Open 100 metres backstroke

2017 Dylan Stevens, Joshua Smith, Fraser Stewart, Simon Geldenhuys Open 4x200 medley relay

2017 William Salmond Under 13, 50 metres butterfly GPS Record (from 2003)

GPS Swimming Honour Board

The Aquatic CentreGPS Open Medley Winners

L to R: D. Stevens, S. Geldenhuys, J. Smith, F. Stewart

11

The ‘Bill Turner Cup’ is a national football/soccer knockout competition for school teams with players aged 15 years and under. Toowoomba Grammar School submitted an Under 15 football team in this competition and was delighted to see our boys win the Queensland final. Following this the boys were involved in the national tournament to identify the top Under 15 football team in Australia. Our boys came third in this national competition, being beaten by the eventual winning team representing Westfield Sports High School, Sydney.The Patron of Football at Toowoomba Grammar School is Mr Rale Rasic, the coach of the Australian Socceroos and Australian Sports Hall of Fame inductee. Mr Rasic joined the TGS staff at the tournament and he organised a visit by Ray Baartz who played for the Socceroos under Rale Rasic’s tutelage. Ray, who was born in Dalby, was also the first foreign player ever signed by Manchester United. Unfortunately, a severe injury against Uruguay stopped him playing in the 1974

World Cup. Ray spoke to the boys at length and each boy hung off his every word.The Director of Football at TGS, Mr Peter Broadfoot, together with football coaches, Mr

Chris McLeod and Mr Paul Kalinowski, were full of praise for our boys. Their national third placing made this TGS team as the best team north of Sydney in the Bill Turner Cup.

Photographed below is the Captain of the School’s 1st XV Rugby team, Tom Dickenson – playing in his first U13s game in 2013 and also leading the Firsts team this year. The Firsts had a frustrating year with many close losses but were extremely competitive and determined throughout the season. Somewhat typical of the team’s ability was the fact that they lost to the eventual Co-Premiers, St Joseph’s Nudgee College, by only three points in a game that could have gone either way. Being so close to Nudgee in front of Nudgee’s home crowd on Ross Oval and not winning the game was disappointing but everyone in the crowd was extremely proud of our boys’ strength of character, sportsmanship and commitment to training throughout the year.

From 13A Rugby Captain to School Prefect and Captain of the 1st XV

Third in Australia in Football (Soccer)

12

A Big Win in the O’Callaghan Cup

This annual competition involves the Rugby teams representing Toowoomba Grammar School and Downlands College.

The photograph of the TGS 1st XV captain, Tom Dickenson, tells the tale as does the accompanying results table.

This is the second successive year in which our School has won every rugby game in all age divisions against Downlands College.

TEAM RESULT TGS DOWNLANDS

First XV Win 31 26

2nd XV Win 45 12

3rd XV Win 44 7

4th XV No Match

5th XV No Match

6th XV No Match

16A Win 55 0

16B Win 47 5

16C No Match

16D No Match

15A Win 22 12

15B Win 67 0

15C Win 65 0

15D No Match

14A Win 45 7

14B Win 61 10

14C No Match

14D No Match

13A Win 62 0

13B Win 34 7

13C Win 60 0

13D No Match

12A No Match

12B No Match

11A No Match

11B No Match

The O’Callaghan Cup was established in 1950 and named after five brothers attending Downlands College.

12

13

Zavier wrote a letter to the Headmaster outlining what happened on this day, the letter is reproduced here:

Dear Headmaster

My name is Xavier Lindemann.

I am in grade 5 at Grammar. I was at Grammar Downlands day, and I was there for six hours watching every single game. When the first XV were playing I watched Grammar go up 26-0 at half time and I thought to myself this is going to be to [sic] easy and then in the second half Downlands came back and scored 26 points but we still won. Before they did the presentations my friends and I were getting signatures from the 1sts and then after the presentations I went up to the number 10 Harry Leerentveld and I asked him for his boots and he said, they are a bit banged up but you can have them, so I walked home with a smile on my face. I feel very privileged to have his boots and could you please say a big thankyou to Harry for me. Thank you.

Please Respond From Xavier Lindemann

Could you please give this to Harry

Rugby Boots!!Readers of Omnibus should enjoy the story of a Year 5 boy in the TGS Junior School, Xavier Lindemann, watching his rugby heroes for six hours straight on Grammar Downlands day and what happened after the match!

Harry Leerentveld (Year 12) and Xavier Lindemann (Year 5)

Free

The 1st XV player referred to in

Xavier’s letter is a Year 12 boarder,

Harry Leerentveld. When Harry was

asked by Xavier’s mother about him

giving away his expensive rugby

boots to Xavier, Harry replied that

he had bought them with his own

money and was happy to make

young Xavier proud of TGS Rugby.

14

Pictured are the winners of five perpetual trophies. They are the Most Promising Player awarded to Greg Spurgin; the Most Improved Player (Jason Spurgin); Defensive Player of the Year (William Harmsworth); Most Valuable Player (Joshua Ozegovic); and the most prestigious award, the Graham Copeland Award presented to the Captain of the 1sts team, Samuel Mundell.All boys in the School studying Health and

Physical Education and all with an interest in Basketball, Volleyball, indoor Cricket, indoor Football (Futsal) and general fitness, are eagerly awaiting the completion of the new Gymnasium. It is anticipated that the building comprising three indoor courts, classrooms, teachers’ work stations and general cardio equipment will be completed by early February of 2018. Once the construction work has been completed, Trustees Oval

will be returned to a fully functioning playing oval with direct access to the new Gymnasium. The new Gym will also provide wonderful viewing areas for spectators for both the indoor court sports and also for cricket, football and rugby games on Trustees Oval. The current Trenerry Gymnasium will represent a fourth court for the Senior School boys and also be most effectively utilized by the Junior School boys during the school day.

In a strange twist of fate, the 2017 Toowoomba Grammar School First XV front row has been playing together since their 13A days back in 2013. Rueben Lindsay and Rory Kuskie hastily set the record straight that their fellow front rower, Will Wigan, does not have their breadth of experience because he did not debut in the 13As until Round 3 against Brisbane Grammar School. That game holds happy memories for Rory, who scored two tries in a solid win.Whilst an attempt to claim telepathic understanding of each other’s games is a stretch, the boys feel there is an unspoken awareness on the field developed through many tough encounters in training and games.Will and Rory’s best memories of TGS Rugby are from a hard fought win over GT in the 15As and Reuben enjoyed the satisfaction of a 5-0 victory over Churchie in the 16As, with the men in Blue and Gold defending their line

for a full ten minutes to seal the match. All of the boys nominated mastering the basics of their position as their key advice for younger players aspiring to make the First XV in the future.There are a wide variety of influences on their rugby careers to date. Will nominated the advice of First XV Coach Enfantie as the cornerstone of his success. Reuben said his dad, a former prop, was his most honest and supportive critic and Rory cited 2015 Old Boy and current Queensland Reds player Hamish Stewart and his leadership by example as his biggest influence.

Probably as a result of their close quarters experiences at TGS, all boys see themselves at King’s College UQ, after they graduate. The Downlands match at home in Round 9 was their last time as team mates. In 2019, Rory will play for University after a Gap Year, Reuben will be at GPS Club in 2018 and Will is still undecided.

Basketball Awards Ceremony

Triple Trouble

At the end of the GPS Basketball season, our TGS basketball players and coaches enjoyed a celebratory awards ceremony.

William Wigan, Rory Kuskie, Reuben Lindsay

15

The School has always promoted the desirability and expectation of hard work from its students. We do this in many ways both in academic studies and in the co-curricular areas of sport, music, drama, cadets, community service and the outdoors.This year the School has initiated a new award to recognise sustained hard work in academic studies by the boys. The Award is to be known as the Dr George Fielding Award for Application and Diligence and this was awarded to 31 young men in Year 12 who have consistently won academic diligence prizes throughout their Senior School years. This award is based on the qualities of hard work and persistence in study and not purely linked to academic achievement.

New Academic Diligence Award CreatedDr George Fielding Award for Application and Diligence

Dr George Fielding was appointed Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School in mid 1947 when the then Senior Prefect left the School. George Fielding was also the Senior Prefect in the following year, 1948.

George Fielding was the only son of Lillian and Harold Fielding of Indooroopilly, Brisbane.

He entered Toowoomba Prep School as a boarder at the age of seven and went on to Toowoomba Grammar from 1944 until 1948.

When Dr Fielding goes back to visit the School and walks through the avenue of beautiful jacarandas, he is reminded of people and events that meant so much to him as a student at the School, and throughout his life.

On his first Saturday night at Toowoomba Grammar, in 1944, George, and all new students, had to sing a song. He chose to sing “Waltzing Matilda”, which was very well received, and all the boys joined in. Then MJ Sainsbury, later to become the Senior Prefect in the following year sang “Love Divine, All Love Excelling”. It was beautiful singing, and had a wonderful, happy effect on the entire boarding house. In previous years, it was a practice for senior boys to “crow peck” the younger boys, especially the small new boys. In his year as Senior Prefect, Maurice Sainsbury declared that this would be no longer tolerated, that all boys must be treated with kindness. This had a great influence on the feeling in the boarding house, that the younger boys would not be hurt. Maurice Sainsbury went on to study Psychiatry in Brisbane and later moved to Sydney.

In his first days at TGS, George Fielding met Charlie Moore, who grew up in Bollon, in western Queensland. They shared the same birthday. They studied together in the same rooms all through school and were very warm friends. Charlie played in the First Grade teams for both cricket and tennis. George Fielding believes Charlie was the best cricketer the School has ever seen.

At the end of 1948 George returned to Brisbane to take up studies in medicine at the University of Queensland. As a result of his study, on the 10th of December 1954, George graduated and became a doctor. After graduating Medicine, Dr Fielding became a Resident at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. In 1958 he moved to the newly opened Princess Alexandra Hospital.

In 1958, Dr Fielding (and later his wife Barbara and their two small children) travelled to the United Kingdom where he trained and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, in 1959. He worked as a surgeon in Wales until 1962, when he was invited back to Brisbane to head Surgery at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

He received his Fellowship to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 1963. Dr Fielding worked as a consulting surgeon at the P.A. Hospital until his retirement from the Public Hospital in 1995. Dr Fielding was one of the first surgeons to work at the Wesley Hospital that opened in 1977 and was instrumental in creating the Wesley Breast Clinic.

He was President and Examiner of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons, and in 1989 received a medal from the College for his service to the College. In the 1996 Australia Day Honours List, Dr Fielding was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for “service to Medicine, particularly as a surgeon”.

Relevant to this particular Toowoomba Grammar School award, Dr George Fielding clearly demonstrated application and diligence throughout his life. In addition to his application and diligence to his medical career, Dr Fielding also showed great diligence by returning to tertiary study when he was aged in his late 60’s. In this regard Dr Fielding completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Double Major in History.

The School is extremely proud to have Dr George Fielding as a distinguished Old Boy.

Microsoft Innovative Educator EXPERT PROGRAM

The Head of the Information Processing & Technology Department, Mr Paul Barton, has been selected as a Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) expert, one of only 90 in Australia (and including another TGS teacher, Mr Michael Cocks). This group of 90 Australian Information Technology educators joins over 6000 world-wide in enabling these innovators to share ideas, try new approaches and learn from one another. These educators have achieved excellence in education using technology and social media. Mr Barton is also one of only 39 in Australia who is a ‘Google for Education Certified Trainer’ having completed a range of courses in 2016.

16

Both ensembles consisted of twelve Grammar students, with the Senior TiGAA troupe also including four young women from Fairholme College and St Ursula’s College. Early in the year TiGAA members performed at the Welcome Concert, successfully competed in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, and facilitated the highly entertaining Read My Lips Lipsynching competition.

Within the Welcome Concert a variety of hilarious scenarios were performed around the theme of Learner Drivers, in which our teens were instructed by riotous driving instructors and terrified parents.

The annual Read My Lips competition raised funds for the Sree Belbenjhyang primary school in Nepal. An audience of over 700 screaming teens were entertained by the winning Pitch Perfect crew - The Treble Tones, and The Groomsmen from Groom House, in addition to numerous other acts from Toowoomba Grammar, Fairholme College and St Ursula’s College.

After much comedic action the students of Senior TiGAA then set their mind to presenting their annual dramatic performance. This year students were extended dramatically in presenting The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time written by Mark Haddon, and adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens.

The auditioned ensembles which comprise the Toowoomba Grammar Acting Academy (TiGAA) welcomed twenty- eight members this year.

The Performing Arts Drama

Patrick Thomson in The Curious Incident of the Dog int he Night-time

This award winning production, recently performed on West End and Broadway, was presented by Senior TiGAA members at the Armitage Centre, Empire Theatre, on Thursday, 26 October. As a testament to the quality of this script, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will have its professional premiere in the new year by the Melbourne Theatre Company.

In addition to this the young men from Junior TiGAA held their comedic

showcase on the evening of Monday, 13 November at the Henderson Arts Block.

Within the subject Drama, an exciting contemporary production of Macbeth was performed by the talented men of Year 11 Drama over two nights – Monday, 6 and Tuesday, 7 November. In this extraordinary task the boys were asked to reimage Macbeth in three parts with the audience moving through the space in interaction with each of the scenes. Battles raged within the walls of the Henderson Arts Block as our 11th Century warriors sharpened their swords in bringing a youthful engaging interpretation of Macbeth.

Drama students in Year 10 also performed their annual Australians at War performance to coincide with the School’s ANZAC Day ceremonies. The Year 10 class interpreted the plays, Snapshots from Home, by Margery Forde, and Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman. Both of these performances took place in the Henderson Arts Block, which is proving to be a fantastic space to explore contemporary dramatic texts in addition to traditional ones.

The Teacher-in-Charge of Drama and the Head of Arts is Mrs Eylece Blaikie. Together with other Arts staff, she is to be congratulated on motivating the boys and co-ordinating such a useful program for their benefit.

17

The Musical August 17-19, Empire Theatre

OliverEvery 2 years, Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College join forces to create a magical experience for our student cohort and the Toowoomba community, namely a combined musical staged at the incredible Empire Theatre over 4 special performances. We began the process well over a year ago when the decision was made that the 2017 production would be the ever popular ‘Oliver-the Musical’, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart and based on the famous novel ‘Oliver Twist’ by Charles Dickens.

At the beginning of the year we began the audition process and with over 170 students clamouring to be part of the show it was clear we had so much talent to choose from and the decision to double cast all the Major and Minor leads resulted in, not one, but two incredible casts working together to bring the story to life.

A musical is an epic production that requires many dedicated staff, creatives, students and community members to bring it to life and we were certainly not short of wonderful people to assist.

Through an extensive rehearsal period, initially separated into Chorus, Principals. Orchestra and construction crew sessions, each area of the show worked separately and then as the weeks progressed joined forces to bring about the amazing final product. Countless hours were given to the Production and we were appreciative of everybody who helped make the dream come true.

None of this could have been possible without a vision from the start and that vision came from Artistic Director, Katrina Bailey. With experience working with the students from both Fairholme and Grammar, Katrina quickly established a magical rapport with all concerned and, with the assistance of many talented staff, allowed this vision to be realised on the stage.

We would like to thank all the staff who comprised the team behind Katrina; however, a few deserve special mention. The Producers Tim Kelly (TGS) and Alex Dixon and Nancy Macks (Fairholme), my vocal direction assistants Mary Louise

Fraser and Martin Paroz (TGS), Orchestral Director Rod Egerton (Fairholme) and the staff who contributed to the Orchestra, Repititeurs Melissa Buchholz (TGS) and Chris Lebsanft (Fairholme), Choreography Brigid Baker (Fairholme), Stage and Set Design and construction Grant Lehmann, Karen Hayward (Faiholme) and Ray Morgan (TGS)

When opening night finally came about we were rewarded with thousands of spectators from our two schools and the much wider Darling Downs community and we are proud to say our show did not disappoint, as all walked away staggered by the standard of the students and the stunning visual effects, mastery of the orchestra and all other components of the musical production.

Thank you to all who came out and supported ‘Oliver – The Musical’. The amazing feedback we have received from parents, members of the community and professionals involved in the industry reinforces our opinion that this was a truly spectacular production of the highest quality and once again its back to the drawing board to plan the next exciting Musical in 2019!

Neil Roche-KellyDirector of Performance (TGS) and Vocal Director (Oliver-The Musical)

A musical is an epic production that requires

many dedicated staff, creatives, students and

community members to bring it to life and

we were certainly not short of wonderful

people to assist.

Fagin (Joe Smith) being towed by gang members Finbar Murphy and Joshua Brown

18Nancy (Anna Roche-Kelly) sings ‘As Long As He Needs Me’

Chorus members Cameron Cardillo and Ila Torrence Fagin (Jeremy Egerton) and gang picking a pocket or two.

Full company – Cast, Crew, Creatives and OrchestraOliver (Henry Heslop) asks Mr Bumble (Seb Hand) for more!

The Artful Dodger (Emma Johnson) with Oliver (Henry Heslop) and members of Fagin’s Gang.

Fagin (Joe Smith) reviewing the situation

Curtain Call with the company

19

School should be a happy and engaging place for primary school students. Finding your passion, be it in the classroom, in music, with sport or another co-curricular activity is only possible if the opportunities are provided. I like to think that this is something in which our school excels, ensuring we provide boys with multiple and diverse opportunities. This article provides a window into some of these possibilities.

The Junior School Writing Competition is an annual event. Every boy from Prep to Year 6 enters this competition, writing text types that have been taught in class. First place in each class is awarded a trophy and a book

voucher, with medallions being given to boys who place second and third. The boys are presented with their prizes at a special Academic Awards Assembly.

The Junior School orchestra consists of nearly

50 musicians from Years 3 to 6, covering

strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. The

boys were very excited to be awarded first

place at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod for their

performances in Term 3.

Junior School Writing Competition

Junior School Eisteddfod Success

The Headmaster (far right) and Mr Campbell (far left) with the Writing Competition first place recipients. Back row, L-R James Watson, Jackson Smiddy, James Nicholls, Angus Dann, George Clifford, Andrew Shelton, Samuel Gladwin and Thomas Dixon. Front row, L-R Zac Brown, Ethan Thompson, Joseph Ramia, Devan Pokharel, Noah Brannelly and Aseel Eisa.

L-R back row: Junior School Orchestra representatives, Thomas Dixon, Mrs Jayne Davidson (music teacher and conductor) and Bede Davis (Captain of Music), L-R front row: John Ridgway and Gabriel Schubert, with their Eisteddfod trophy.

Toowoomba Grammar School

From the Junior School

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Book Week is promoted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and in our School this is an important and special time. As part of Book Week we had visits from children’s book authors and illustrators, including Nadia Sunde (author / performer) and Samantha Wheeler (author). Boys and staff come to school dressed up in costume as characters from children’s books, with various prizes being

awarded. Our annual Doorways Competition also occurs at this time with classroom doors, entry areas and classrooms decorated with children’s work, all based around books for children. As a school for boys, we know how important it is to celebrate learning to read and the enjoyment associated with reading. This was an awesome week in the Junior School!

Charlie Randall, a Junior School student in Year 6, has had a most successful year on the track. Charlie is a three-times State Champion, placing first in cross country, 1500 metres and 800 metres. Charlie subsequently went on to become a National Champion, finishing first in the 11 years’ Cross Country at the Australian titles in Hobart. Charlie

will next compete at the National Athletics Carnival in the Christmas holidays. The nicest part of this story is that Charlie is pure home-grown talent, having commenced in Mrs Morgan's Prep class in 2011, the same year he became Cross Country Age Champion as a 5 year old. Congratulations Charlie!

Book Week

State and National Champion

3M dressed as their favourite book characters for dress up day.

Charlie Randall now holds three State and one National titles.

(L-R) Archer Black, Charlie Randall, Matthew Taylor and Cooper Harm all represented the Darling Downs at the Queensland Primary Schools’ Track and Field Carnival in Brisbane. Charlie won the 800m and the 1500m events. Matthew placed third in discus. Congratulations to all four boys.

5W boys showing off their winning doorway.

By Scott CampbellHead of Junior School

21

Toowoomba Grammar School

From the Junior School

Junior School fathers, grandfathers and boys enjoyed a Fathers’ Day breakfast in and around the Pavilion in September. This annual event is always a happy and enjoyable occasion. The photographs help tell the story. Following this, our Year 3 boys and their fathers made billy carts

across the day and then raced them in the main school driveway. This allows fathers to spend a day at school with their son, not something that commonly occurs in schools.

Junior School Fathers’ Day Breakfast

Prep boys and their Fathers gathered for the annual Fathers’ Day Breakfast at the Pavilion. The four Prep fathers are wearing their ties made by the boys.

Ashton Reedy racing his billy cart.

Steve and John Tinkler before starting on their billy cart. Steve is holding his Toowoomba Grammar School toolbox, a project he undertook in his time at the School.

22

By Scott CampbellHead of Junior School

The Junior School hosted a combined Junior Schools’ Orchestra Day during third term. Members of the Junior School orchestra, along with girls from The Glennie School’s Junior Orchestra combined in sectional

workshops and full ensemble rehearsals. The day concluded with performances at our Junior School assembly. The was a wonderful day for the students and staff.

Junior School Combined Orchestra Day

Combined Orchestra rehearsal.

Glennie and Grammar Junior School Brass Ensemble having fun practicing before the performance.

23

How fast this year has gone. Personally I will see my youngest boy, Max, graduate bringing to an end twelve continuous years of being a parent at TGS, after both his oldest brothers, Bryce and Karl, went through as well. Whilst I’m not sad I have finished paying fees, I am a little sad that I am coming to an end as a parent at the school. The friendships that I have developed and the times that I have experienced during this time have been fantastic. I will miss it.

The last quarter of the year has been a very busy time for the Old Boys Association. We had our reunion in the last week-end of Term 3 which started with the Friday Night Welcome, continued with Rugby on the Saturday, the Reunion Dinner on Saturday night and concluded with a school tour on the Sunday. All the events were well attended with over 150 Old Boys coming along for the Friday night and over 200 attending the Reunion Dinner. I am sure all Old Boys enjoyed catching up over the weekend. Thank-you to Jennifer Fordyce and the Committee for all their work and help in organising and running the reunion weekend.

Mac Stirling (TGS 1970-73), a Property Developer, Architect and Sport & Recreation Consultant, was our special guest speaker for the annual Business Breakfast in October. Mac has had thirty years of experience as a sports architect and is

now the Managing Director of his family property development company, Lauder Pty Ltd. This company has developed the Highfields Village Shopping Centre and is currently developing The Avenues of Highfields, a 524 lot residential subdivision.

Mac shared his memories of his time at school in the early 1970’s and reiterated the importance of teachers and their influence on you when you are an impressionable young man. He gave some wonderful insights on the future and the opportunities that are there for Toowoomba and local businesses as the numerous major infrastructure projects on our doorstep start to take shape. One of his most important messages however was to make sure you keep a balance in your life. Despite our busy lives we must stop and take the time to enjoy our families. His recollection of taking the time to go fishing in Alaska with his father, despite being so busy, was a poignant message for all of us especially when we learnt that his father passed away not long after the fishing trip. Over 50 people attended the breakfast and I thank those people who supported the event.

Recently the school hosted a wonderful reunion which was put together by Mick Storrs (TGS 1959-62, OBA Life Member). Mick met up with Rod Hard (TGS 1958-61) on a recent trip to North Queensland and discovered that he had never received a Colours pocket for his blazer and he

decided to address this. He organised for a pocket to be embroidered and framed and this was presented to Mr Hard by the Headmaster at this reunion. Approximately 15 Old Boys who had attended school in the early ‘60s and those who had played rugby at that time came together to see the Headmaster present Rod with this special award. Rod Hard was a member of the 1st XV Rugby team in 1960 and captained the 1st XV in 1961. In 1961 he was selected to play in the QGPS 2nd XV. Rod earned Colours for Rugby in 1961, but because of certain situations, he did not get a Colours pocket. Congratulations to Rod who is a perfect gentleman and was a very humble man on the day. Many thanks also to Mick Storrs whose brainchild this was to hold the event.

As we wrapped up the year, the Old Boys hosted the Year 12s Pizza lunch during their last week. This, as you can imagine, was a huge logistical exercise given we needed to buy about 200 pizzas. Those boys can eat! We then had a key role in the Final Year 12 Assembly whereupon Old Boys who had sons in Year 12 handed out Old Boys ties and caps to all Year 12s. It was a special day and we always look forward to it.

No doubt the Year 12s boys have been getting plenty of advice on life in general over the last few months and whilst I was acutely aware of “advice overload” there were some key messages that I delivered to the boys on the couple of occasions that I was fortunate enough to speak to them as a group.

The main message that I have left with them is that regardless of

The Official Old Boys’ Newsletter

From the PresidentBrett Priebe (1978-82)

By the time you receive this Omnibus we will have seen another 184 boys become Old Boys with the 2017 Cohort finally graduating.

24

what their background was when they first came to TGS, they all leave school in a very privileged position because the school has taught and prepared them in two vital areas.

Firstly the boys know how to set goals and objectives and they know that if they work hard they will generally achieve those goals. So whether they are going into an apprenticeship, working on the family farm or studying at University, if you set your goals and work hard you give yourself the best chance to succeed.

Secondly the school has taught the boys how to serve others. Whether it be in sporting or debating teams and playing for your mates, working at Sony Camp helping the disadvantaged, working in the Cadets or fund raising, all the boys have learnt that serving others is a truly rewarding experience. It is my belief that the rewards from serving others will in time outweigh anything you achieve personally. I think it is something that all boys who have “played the game” would agree with.

Some of you will know that Jennifer Fordyce (TGS Staff ) has recently taken ill and has a huge fight on over the next few months. Jennifer has been a wonderful support for the Old Boys and assists the Association in so many ways. Many of you have spoken to her and I think you would agree she is just a wonderful person. She needs to know she has

thousands of Old Boys cheering from the sideline wishing her a speedy recovery.

I wish all of the 2017 Cohort all the very best and to all Old Boys, have a merry and safe Christmas and please consider making 2018 a year in which

you have made contact back with the school. We would love to see you.

Brett PriebePresident TGS Old Boys Association

Rod Hard (right) receiving his Full Colours Rugby Pocket together with Mick Storrs (left)

Rod Hard at the lectern with his old school matesFront Row L-R – Neil Shand, Tom Dare, Rod Hard, Gary Lane, Rod (Fred) Campbell

Second Row L-R – Peter Martin, Ian Moore, John Edgar, Brian Frecker, Richard (Butch) Handley, Harry Gauvin

25

I attended this School from 1954 to 1957

coming from a subsistence dairy farm at

Murphy’s Creek. I was a boarder, which

seems strange today as Murphy’s Creek is

only twenty minutes away. However, in the

1950s, at least half of the road was unsealed

and in wet weather, was impassable. A trip to

Toowoomba in our old car was an adventure

with often a stop at the “saddle” on the range

to check the radiator etc. before the slow

climb up the single lane each way, the Toll Bar

as it was called. On each upward trip there

was always a vehicle or two stationary with

radiators boiling from the climb.

My birthday was in February. I had

started at the small one teacher country

school early to make up a class and jumped

a class when someone left so was very

young throughout my four years at TGS. I

was too young to

join cadets in the first

year (compulsory for

all) and in fact turned

sixteen in my senior

year. My youth is my

excuse for my poor

results and I did make

the same mistake with

my own children.

It is easy to rave on about the things

which were different at TGS at that time

and the stories abound about the standard

of food, the cold in the dormitories,

the use of the cane and the numbers

with the different balance between

day boys and boarders. Forgive me if I

mention just a few stories which may

not be as well-known as the above.

The Squirt Concert – All new boys had

to sing unaccompanied at a concert on the

first Saturday of the term. Nursery rhymes

and God Save the Queen were not allowed

and some of the masters of the school

attended. Boys who were very good – or

very bad – were asked to continue for some

time while those who were “average” were

dismissed rapidly with cries of “rhubarb,

rhubarb!” The above was one of the rituals

which qualified boys for the status of “Old

Boy” the following year. There was another

event, which I won’t go into, which was

also expected as part of the initiation and

shaped the culture of a fagging system based

on schools in England in years gone by.

This behaviour, and the severe

penalties for non-compliance, were

of course an extreme form of bullying

and were not restricted in any way

by the school authorities.

None of the culture of the school during

quite a long period is not mentioned in the

official history. It was not seen as wrong

and was the accepted environment of the

time. The cardinal sin for a boy was to “dob

someone in” and the code of silence was

expected. To break this rule resulted in severe

peer punishment in the form of being thrown

into the pool – fully dressed and in silence

witnessed by the majority of the school

assembly. Serious disputes between boys

were sorted out between the bike shed with

boxing gloves worn by the protagonists.

Church – Attendance at church was

compulsory each Sunday – Religious

Instruction periods were also held regularly

as part of the school day. Most boys were “C

of E” for the purpose of church attendance.

There was an advantage in this as a service

was held at St James at 7:30 before Sunday

breakfast. Boys dressed, walked to and from

St James and were ticked off at breakfast

at having fulfilled their obligation. The odd

few would dress, buy the Sunday paper and

“disappear” for the required amount of time

before reporting in as having been to church.

Attendance at St Stephens Presbyterian

Church swelled following dances with

Fairholme which we attended wearing

formal school uniform. (Two members

of my senior form married Fairholme girls

who they partnered to the Senior Formal.)

Pocket Money – Every Saturday

morning, the boarders attended a parade co-

ordinated by the prefects who handed out 2/-

or 20 cents pocket money. This needs to be

put into perspective – 7c was the admission

price to the Strand or Empire Picture

Theatre and the cost of a pie was also 7c.

Many boys (not me) had a bank account

operated by the School office where money

could be withdrawn on Wednesday at

lunch-time and on Saturday morning. My

parents would visit me every couple of weeks

and 2/- was a welcome financial top up!

Qualifications – Only a few of

the teachers at the school had tertiary

qualifications and the staff list in the School

Magazine (and in school photographs) listed

names followed by the letters Esq. In fact,

during my first year there were at least two

masters who

had no teaching

qualifications

whatsoever and

had progressed

straight from the

senior class at

the school to the

teaching staff. As

I recall, both did

an excellent job – their primary function

being as coaches on the sporting field.

Dress – The standard of dress was much

more formal than today. Dress was made up

of either sporting attire, everyday wear which

included a tie at all times and was worn also

at week-ends by boarders, a suit and “town”

dress which included the dark, piped blazer

with a long sleeved light blue shirt, hat and

badge. The current school blazer or Honour/

Colour blazer was awarded to those boys

who met certain strict criteria on the sports

field. What then was it about the school

that made it great, loved and respected

just as much today by the hundreds of Old

Boys who have passed through the doors?

Many things do not change. The

comradery and life-long friendships were

forged just as they are today. We were

probably even a closer “family” as there were

fewer of us, we seldom left the school.

REMINISCENCESBY JOHN HANDLEY Old Boy (1954-1957) and Member of the School's Board of Trustees from 1996-2017

Many things do not change. The comradery and life-long friendships were forged just as they are

today. We were probably even a closer “family” as there were fewer of us, we seldom left the school.

26

Town leave was allowed only on Saturday

morning and week-end leave was restricted

to one week-end per term. Hence we spent

a lot of time together. The quality of teaching

was, by and large, exceptional. There were

a number of teachers – in particular Len

Heenan and Joe Scott (who also taught my

father) whose results were outstanding in

the externally assessed Junior and Senior

Examinations of the time. If you were a

member of Mr Heenan’s Maths, Physics

or French classes you were nearly assured

of an A rating. The same applied to Mr

Scott’s Book-keeping class. Len Poulsen

was also a legend as a Maths teacher

and was not called Yogi for nothing.

The sporting rivalry between TGS and

Downlands was probably even more intense

than it is today given that Downlands was an

all boys’ school and so in direct competition.

It is interesting to note that to the best of

my knowledge, at that time there was not

one Catholic boy attending TGS and I doubt

there was a Protestant at Downlands!

Most of the 6th Form went to

Schoolies at the Gold Coast following

the Formal and Speech Day. Certainly

alcohol was not as big an issue as the

drinking age was 21 and we were only

17-18. There were certainly no drugs. We

spent most of our time on the beach.

Some of us contributed £10 to purchase

a car which we took to the coast for the

week. (It was sold later to one of the teachers

at the school.) The

number of passengers

generally exceeded the

legal limit as we cruised

backwards and forwards

between Surfers

Paradise and Southport.

As we passed out

through the school

gate for the last time our thoughts would

have been exactly the same as the boys

of today. We had to cram our TGS life into

four years (some who left at Junior only

two) rather than the six years present boys

enjoy. We had been given a wonderful

opportunity – particularly for those who

completed Senior. Most went on to

University which was, at the time, free, and

became the doctors, lawyers and scientists

of this era. A few of us went to Teachers’

College – one year only, and were assured of

a job – in our home town for the first year.

My first year was spent at South Boys

(now closed) and for the latter part of the

year, Harlaxton. Then began the compulsory

country service – Roma, a one teacher

school at Cockatoo Creek, Dalby, Bell, back

to Roma, and finally Toowoomba. The

return to Toowoomba followed the death

of my mother and a compassionate transfer

to care for my father and teenage sister.

My children attended Harristown

State School and the two boys were, of

course, always destined for TGS. The girls

were booked into Fairholme but both

attended Glennie following success by

daughter Annabel in obtaining a scholarship

when the primary school re-opened.

About this time, I became active

in the TGS Old Boys’ Association as I

saw this as a way of finding out what

was happening at the school beyond

brochures and newsletters.

When my second son Lachlan was in

his final year I was approached to ascertain

if I would be interested in contesting

a position on the Board of Trustees. I

declined stating that I would prefer to

wait until my boys had left the school.

I was approached again and the rest

is history. I did not think for one minute

that I would be successful and naively

thought that by showing an interest I might

be approached at a later date should a

vacancy occur for a ministerial nominee.

It was completely unfair that the

incumbent lost his position on the Board

– small thanks for years of dedicated and

time consuming service to the school.

A similar situation has occurred a few

times during my time on the Board and

I always feel for the loser in the ballot.

My small contribution to the Board of

Trustees is best judged by others but my one

big success was convincing the Chairman to

stay on when he believed he had to resign

over a matter of principle. Glen McCracken

is without doubt the best Chairman the

Board of Trustees at TGS has ever had. His

contribution to the Board over 27 years (with

18 years as Chairman) is not fully realized

by the school community. I admire his

thoroughness and his ability to tease out all

aspects of an issue have sometimes led to

changes of opinion and the decisions thus

reached have proved to be absolutely correct.

I have been involved in the selection

of a Headmaster of this great school and

decisions such as this are the most important

that any Board will ever be asked to make.

Selecting a person for an important position

is somewhat like purchasing a racehorse at

the yearling sales. It is going to a cost a lot

of money and it will be at least three years

before you know whether they are any good

or not! There is no

doubt we made an

excellent choice. I

am certain that

Peter Hauser will

be remembered

as one of the great

Headmasters at

this school.

I would also pay tribute to Graham

Woolacott, the School's Chief Finanical

Officer. His knowledge of the workings of

“the systems” is invaluable and his financial

skills in this complex business are the basis

on which the Board operates and plans.

Thank you also to my fellow Board

Members – both present and past. It has

been my pleasure to

work with the Board of

Trustees and the School

Senior Management

over the last 21 years.

As we passed out through the school gate for the last time our thoughts would have been exactly

the same as the boys of today.

Mr John Handley, Old Boy and Member of the School’s Board of Trustees for 21 years

BirthsDaniel Taylor (1997-2001) and

Hollie-Jay, a daughter, Scottie Grace in September 2017

DeathsBrian Thomason (1940-43)

in February 2017

Prof Herbert (Tony) Stevenson (1951-54) in July 2017

Ronald Nauschutz (1950-51) in July 2017

Robert Finlay (1986) in August 2017

Hamish Munro (2002-07) in August 2017

Stephen Dyett (1972-76) in August 2017

Geoffrey Jakins (1980-82) in September 2017

Thomas Rattray (1944-47) in September 2017

Colin Kruger (1942-43) in September 2017

MarriagesBrock McIntyre (1999-2006) to Peta Whatmore in July 2017

Pam Bligh, a member of the TGS Past Mothers’ Group, and her husband Kent purchased Old Boys’ caps to give to their sons when they visited for Mothers’ Day in May. The happy trio are L-R: Michael (1986-90), Ian (1976-80) and Bruce (1980-84) Bligh.

Brock McIntyre (1999-2006) and his wife Peta (nee Whatmore) featured in the Style Magazine, which is part of The Chronicle on Friday, 4 August. They were married at the Rangeville Community Church on 1 July and had their reception at the Highfields Cultural Centre. Brock works as an Accountant in Toowoomba and was the Treasurer of the Old Boys’ Association in recent years.

Rod Hard (1958-61) was touring North Queensland in July this year and had taken a tour of the Chillagoe Caves. One of the tour participants was a nurse at the same school where Rod’s sister was teaching and asked her maiden name. When she replied “Hard”, a voice piped up and said, “I went to school with a chap with that name… a blonde headed chap who played football”. It was Old Boy Greg Banks (1959-61) who had been on the tour but he and Rod had not recognized each other after 56 years. They spent a pleasant evening catching up.

Attending the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s update at Westmar were Brett Crawley (1985-89) and Brett Bidstrup (1994-98). More than one hundred growers from the district heard about the latest research and information updates.

Old Boy News

Births, Deaths, Engagements & Marriages

Do you have a story to share?We are always looking for articles to publish about our Old Boys. For more

information please contact Jennifer Fordyce in the School Associations' Office. Email: [email protected] Phone: (07) 4687 2579

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Bruce McConnel (1994-98) has been announced as Food Leaders Australia’s new general manager. Bruce’s vision is to shore up domestic horticulture supplies while expanding the region’s reach in south-east Asia. With the Second Range Crossing, inland rail and the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba and the Surat Basin has the optimism and infrastructure to reach the world with our agricultural products.

Nuffield Farming Scholarship recipient, Nigel Corish (1996-2000) spent sixteen weeks visiting China, the UK and US to meet with farmers, consultants, researchers and experts in their fields. He said that he learnt that there was more to farming than just maximising yields, stressing the importance of organic carbon in Australia’s soils to lessen compaction and erosion.

Jeff Bidstrup (1965-67), Brett McIntyre (1977-79) and Alister Persse (1993-97) attended the Queensland Country Life Food Heroes event at the grain property Coorangy at Toobeah in July.

Josh Poynter (2003-06) started his own business, JRP Building Services, in January this year. He said he specializes in renovating older homes which were much more difficult than building new ones, as everything is not usually square. Josh offers great service to his clients, even taking them to select tiles, fittings and paint colours. He has received wonderful feedback from his work and is receiving further work from the recommendations of his clients.

Rod Hard (1958-61 ) called in to see Mick Storrs (1959-62) in Caloundra in August on his way back from North Queensland. They had morning tea with Tom Dare (1958-61) and Don Helmrich (1958-61) at Golden Beach. In September Mick caught up with Duncan Trott (1959-60) and Jan Trott when they visit Duncan’s sister in Pittsworth. The Trotts currently live in the North Island of New Zealand.

Stephen Moss (1983-87) continues his impressive career in Triathlon coaching as he has been appointed to the position of Head Coach for Triathlon in Hong Kong, commencing at the end of September 2017. This appointment follows his coaching of the Australia National Team in 2011 and 2012, and being the Australian Olympic Committee National Team Triathlon Coach in London 2012. Stephen said that he and his family were looking forward to living in Hong Kong. Unfortunately he couldn’t attend the 2017 Reunion for his year group as he was coaching at the Triathlon World Championships in Rotterdam.

Ian Mathieson (1956-59) wrote to tell us that he was MC at an ANZAC Day ceremony at Trumpeter’s Corner near Warra in 2017. Guest of Honour at the ceremony was Dame Quentin Bryce who planted a pine tree derived from the Lone Pine at ANZAC Cove. Five plaques were unveiled, honouring people from the district who had made significant contributions in WWI and WWII. Ian was later challenged to Rest on Arms Reversed and was pleased, if a bit surprised, that after 57 years he was still able to executive this drill with a .303 rifle. Whilst at the School, Ian had taken part in the Honour Guard at the Mothers’ Memorial on ANZAC Day in 1958 and 1959.

Old Boys who have visited TGS since August 2017

3/08/2017 – Allan Douglas 1971-72, Warana

3/08/2017 – Ryan Douglas 1998-2002, Mountain Creek

4/08/2017 – Ian McLean 1992-96, Postman's Ridge

4/08/2017 – Michael Black 1986-90, Oakey

4/08/2017 – Ross Ecroyd 1987-91, Toowoomba

4/08/2017 – Jason Darlington 1983-86, Gayndah

5/08/2017 – D'Arcy Davidson 2011-16, The Gums

5/08/2017 – Lachlan Maher 2007-16, Wyreema

5/08/2017 – James Bell 2004-08, Brisbane

8/08/2017 – Neil Barton 1957-64, Paralowie

14/08/2017 – Graham Lee 1968-71, East Toowoomba

23/08/2017 – James Maher 1991-95, Japan

23/08/2017 – Tony Rooks 1963-67, Cairns

26/08/2017 – Matt Costello 1995-98, Toowoomba

9/09/2017 – Ross Edmonds 1983-87, Eight Mile Plains

9/09/2017 – Sandy Mettam 1984-88, Perth

9/09/2017 – Steve Norrie 1983-85, Karana Downs

9/09/2017 – David Patterson 1983-86, Pullenvale

9/09/2017 – Chris Wicks 1981-85, Paddington

9/09/2017 – John Rush 1973-77, Kings Beach

9/09/2017 – John Aiken 1973-77, The Summit

9/09/2017 – Colin Kofoed 1966-67, Ivanhoe

9/09/2017 – Tony Donovan 1983-87, Cambooya

9/09/2017 – Wallace McDowall 1983-87, Emerald

9/09/2017 – Ian Campbell 1983-87, Yelarbon

10/09/2017 – Shane Latcham 1984-87, Frenchville

10/09/2017 – Neil Schofield 1964-67, Beecroft

10/09/2017 – Hassan Isaac 1976-77, Nundah

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Old Boys who have visited TGS since August 2017

Some Old Boys from the class of 1980 met on 15 September 2017 at John Calcino’s hotel in Maroochydore (Post Office Bar and Beer Garden), the first time they have been together since they left the School in 1980. Their mid-day lunch finished at 11pm, so they had a lot of catching up to do.

PHOTO L-R: Danny Sinclair (1979-80 from Brisbane), John Calcino (1976-81 from Maroochydore), Rob McPhee (1976-80 from Brisbane), Scott Jones (1976-79 from St George), Stu Webber (1976-80 from California), and Scott Parker (1976-79 from Brisbane).

Toowoomba Cricket’s A Grade one-day competition started in October with Chris Webster (1985-87) captaining University and Matt Dennis (2000-06) the co-captain of Metropolitan-Easts. Matt Dennis said the key to their club’s successful season would be to start strongly in the one-day games and continue that form into the two-day format. Chris Webster’s University team has lost six veteran batsmen but gained eight young batsmen.

Richard Scarce (1985-89) brought the Bond University swimming squad to Toowoomba in October to compete at the Toowoomba Flyers Spring Meet at Milne Bay Aquatic Centre. Richard coaches dual-Olympian Cameron McEvoy and Cameron accompanied him to compete at the Spring Meet. He said that Richard mentions his time as a boarder from Blackall at Toowoomba Grammar School almost weekly and that he enjoyed seeing this part of Richard’s history with him. Richard also caught up with current student Dylan Stevens who swam at the meet.

Eric Donaldson (2000-07), Fraser Donaldson (2001-09), and Geoff McDonald (1984-88) took things seriously as their team, the Blush Bruisers, competed in a tennis competition for the charity Blush in October.

Over 350 people attended the Darling Downs Cotton Growers Awards at the Dalby Showgrounds in September. Andrew Johnston (1985-89) from Dalby Rural Supplies presented the Young Achiever Award on the night; Steven (1974-76) and Jacob Little (2010-13) took out the ANZ Highest Irrigated Yield Award; and Scott (1978-82) and Mitchell Seis (2003-07) collected the ANZ Highest Dryland Yield Award, overall a great night for Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys.

It couldn’t be helped if you noticed the look of delight on the faces of the 1947 Reunion attendees when they held the O’Callaghan Cup aloft for a photograph. Colin Morwood, Glen Buchanan, Bunny Powne and Geoff Grundy (all 1944-47) obliged by showing off the Cup at the Reunion Dinner which was held at Rumours International on Saturday, 9 September.

Ian Rooks (1971-73) and his wife Di have sold their share in the family’s business, Toowoomba Tile Warehouse, after 27 years. They plan a trip around Australia in retirement and Ian said that he was looking forward to sleeping in after years of 6:30am starts.

Michael Irwin (2009-14) has been part of a five person engineering team at UNSW which has won an engineering competition called "The University Make Games Challenge". This has won them a trip to Silicon Valley in the USA with a value of $25,000.

10/09/2017 – Bill Ivers 1996-2006, Newtown

10/09/2017 – Graham Bell 1973-77, Jondaryan

10/09/2017 – Matthew Gilchrist 1985-87, Moonee Ponds

10/09/2017 – Col Morwood 1944-47, Kenmore Hills

10/09/2017 – Peter Thompson 1965-66, Cunnamulla

10/09/2017 – Rob Blackburn 1973-77, Lennox Head

10/09/2017 – Ranald Neal 1973-77, Highfields

10/09/2017 – Richard Birchley 1983-87, Tambo

19/09/2017 – Alexander Mason 1995-99, Indooroopilly

13/10/2017 – David Rosenthal 1990-94, Augustine Heights

20/10/2017 – Tom Dare 1958-61, Maclagan

20/10/2017 – Richard Handley 1958-61, Dalby

20/10/2017 – Gary Lane 1958-61, Palm Beach

20/10/2017 – Phillip Martin 1958-60, Toowoomba

20/10/2017 – Mick Storrs 1959-62, Kings Beach

20/10/2017 – Rod Hard 1958-61, The Ponds

20/10/2017 – Neil Shand 1958-61, Bardon

20/10/2017 – Bob Campbell 1958-61, Carseldine

20/10/2017 – Harry Gauvin 1952-54, Alexandra Hills

20/10/2017 – Keith Strain 1947-50, Rangeville

20/10/2017 – John Edgar 1958-61, Dalby

20/10/2017 – Ian Moore 1958-61, Sanctuary Cove

20/10/2017 – Brian Frecker 1958, Auckland

25/10/2017 – Bronte Smith 1987-91, Toowoomba

26/10/2017 – Simon Taylor 1982-86, Toowoomba

27/10/2017 – Brett Scott 1966-68, Port Macquarie

6/11/2017 – John Dunbar 1946-49, Mt. Waverley

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Graham Albion Wyatt was born on the 25 December 1927 and passed away on 29 August 2016.

After leaving school he gained a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Queensland. He worked for various companies including Shell and was State Sales Manager at Hastings Deering (Caterpillar). He was actively involved with rugby union as a Foundation Member of the now highly successful Sunnybank Rugby Union Club and President of the Queensland Sub Districts Rugby Union.

His love of the military saw him rise to Captain in the Royal Queensland Regiment.

He also served as Captain Graham Wyatt, Regimental ADC to the Queensland Governor, Sir Henry Abel-Smith. In his later life he became a very active volunteer within the Whitsundays community in too many committees to mention.

He always maintained a love of the School and was very involved in the mid 70’s being President of the TGSOBA (Brisbane Branch). He maintained a wonderful relationship with Headmaster Bill Dent and in particular John Winn who mentioned him several times in the book Still Playing the Game.

Obituaries

GRAHAM ALBION WYATT (at TGS 1941-44)

Old Boy Ian Moore (1958-61) and his wife

Jennifer identified a beautiful tea-set badged

TGS from an antique dealer in Toowoon Bay

on the NSW Central Coast. The inscription

on the tea-set read: “From the Boys of TGS, 28/11/ 1947”.

The School history records that the tea-

set was presented to the 9th Headmaster of

Toowoomba Grammar School, Mr David C.

Griffiths, on Speech Day 1947. The School’s

Speech Days in those times were held

outdoors on the lawns by the camphor laurel

tree outside School House – except on this

day when rain marred the outdoor location

for the first time in 24 years and the Speech

Day was transferred indoors to Old Hall.

Mr Griffiths had only been in office for one

year, 1947, and left at the end of this year. He

succeeded Mr ‘Harry’ Roberts who had been

Headmaster for eleven years until the end of

1946. Mr Roberts resigned from TGS to become

the Headmaster of ‘Churchie’. Mr Griffiths

adopted a more “laissez-faire” approach to

the boys whom he trusted to “do the right

thing”. Unfortunately this didn’t always

work out and the Board of Trustees found

it necessary to terminate the Headmaster’s

employment at the end of the year.

When presenting the Griffiths tea-set to

the Headmaster in October of this year, Ian

Moore said: “Jennifer and I do not see this as a presentation nor a donation but a simple Return, it having gone full circle in 70 years of a tangible artefact of an extraordinary time in the history of this great school.”

You may see this beautiful tea-set

proudly displayed in the School Museum

and the School thanks Ian and Jennifer

Moore for their efforts in returning

the tea-set to our community.

TGS Tea-set

Coming Events2018

Sat, Jan 20 1st XI Cricket vs 1st XI 1998, Mills Oval

Wed, Feb 07 Old Boys' Association Management Committee Meeting, Old Hall, 7:30pm

Sat, Mar 10 Cricket Pink Stumps Day, McGrath Foundation

Mon, Feb 12 Past Mothers' Group Morning Tea, Pavilion, 10:00am

Sat, Feb 24 Headmaster's Information Morning for parents of prospective students, Old Hall, 8:45am

Wed, Mar 07 Old Boys' Dinner with boarders, Centenary Dining Hall, 6:00pm

Old Boys' Association AGM and Management Committee Meeting, Old Hall, 7:30pm

Thur, Mar 08 Junior School Open Day, 9:00am – 12:00pm

Fri, Mar 09 Old Boys' Association Generations Gathering, Old Hall, 6:00pm

Sat, Mar 10 Junior School Information Morning 9:30am

Fri, Mar 18 TGS Art Show Opening, Assembly Hall, 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Sat, Mar 19 – Sun, Mar 20

TGS Art Show, Assembly Hall, 10:00am – 4:00pm

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Please contact the

Enrolments Office to

discuss enrolling your son

or grandson at Toowoomba

Grammar School

Tradition | History | Respect | Integrity