2 | Contents The Grammarian 2011 Year in Review - About Brisbane Grammar … · 2013-04-09 · 7 | Reunions The Grammarian 2011 Year in Review 30 Year Milestone 60+ Reunion Each year

2 | Contents

The Grammarian 2011 Year in Review


Welcome 3 Reunions 4 re-engagement 8

Foundation Day 10 Betty Howell Award 11

Grammarians’ Rowing 12 Sport 14 Archive 15

Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys’ Association


2 | Contents



Re-engagement 8

Foundation Day 10 Betty Howell Award 11

Grammarians’ Rowing 12 Sport 14 Archives 15

Reunions 4Welcome 3


2011 Year in Review

Re-engagement 8

Betty Howell Award 11

Archives 15


3| Welcome

I welcome you to our inaugural annual review of Old Boy activities for the preceding year. 2011 had such an energy around the school community that it seemed appropriate to gather together the focal activities that continue to swell the interest and participation of diverse generations of Old Boys.

The traditions are enduring: the Foundation Day Assembly serves to set the aspirational tone of the year and the challenge to Old Boys to fundraise for Year Group Bursaries ensures that the opportunity of a Grammar education extends to those who at the moment can only dream.

A clear Old Boy marker each year is the Annual Reunion Dinner and the individual year group milestones. 2011 was no exception with over 500 Old Boys attending these events. The 2012 Annual Reunion Dinner will be again held at the Hilton Hotel on 27 July. Brisbane Grammar School continues to achieve broad success - academically, culturally and in sport. Importantly, it continues to educate the boys beyond the curriculum - inspiring leadership, spirit and engagement. The School and its leadership, through the Headmaster deserves our continued appreciation and support in this regard.

Amongst the highlights of the year, 2011 was marked by the presentation of the inaugural Betty Howell Award, providing the opportunity to recall and celebrate the gracious kindness and warmth of Mrs Betty Howell. This award highlights the value shown to the generations of volunteers - Old Boys, parents and friends of the School. I congratulate the winners – Old Boys Geoff Clarke and Norm Hirst and past parents Mrs Marion Ham and the late Mrs Betty Vann and trust that this award provides a genuine recognition of their fine contributions to Brisbane Grammar.

I commend to each Old Boy the value in engaging with their old school. The Grammar community is diverse and always welcoming. I trust that the Old Boys’ Association can provide the necessary conduit to allow you all to connect back with the School.

Finally, I wish all Grammar Old Boys every success in the coming year and look forward to meeting as many of you as I can at upcoming events.

Cameron McLeodPresident

Welcome


4 | Reunions

The Annual Reunion Dinner remains the flagship event for the Grammar Old Boy community. Some 300 Old Boys attended the 2011 dinner and were all entertained by master of ceremonies Mark Martin and guest speaker Vince Sorrenti. The more relaxed entertainment laid the foundation for a most enjoyable evening. This unique event draws across the generations of Old Boys, bringing these Grammar men together - to enjoy each other’s company and to reflect and reminisce on their own Grammar experiences. 112thAnnual

ReunionDinner

The 2012 Annual Reunion Dinner will again be held at the Hilton Hotel on Friday 27 July 2012 with guest speaker Duncan Armstrong OAM. Please mark this day in your diaries and be sure to book a place to this most sought after event.

5 | Reunions


112thAnnualReunion

Dinner


6 | Reunions

Milestones

40 Year Milestone

30 Year Milestone

7 | Reunions


30 Year Milestone

60+Reunion

Each year individual year groups celebrate their milestone year reunions. In 2011, these reunions drew across the generations from 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001. The most remarkable event is the 60+ reunion, held bi-annually at the School, where Old Boys from the 1940s through to the 1960s re-engage their historical link to Brisbane Grammar and jointly celebrate their contribution to the fabric of the School.


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8 | Re-engagement

Sport

History

2011 F loods

Peter Rossler visited to talk to BGS students about his experiences during the holocaust.

Every year, the School welcomes back Old Boys as mentors, educators, coaches and supporters of the current students.Here are some of the highlights from 2011.

The School was very pleased to welcome back a distinguished Old Boy, Dr Charles Roe, who was a student between 1932 and 1936.

Stephen Moore Matt McKay

9 | Re-engagement


Art Show

Robert McMillan, the grandson of the 1912 BGS Rugby Captain LW Gall, presented to the Headmaster the Honour Cap awarded to his grandfather in 1911. Present at the ceremony were the 2011 1st XV team, who carry forward the strong rugby tradition that was laid by Mr Gall and successive generations of similarly passionate Grammar rugby boys.

The School welcomed back Old Boys David Groom (86) and Scott Breton (99) as featured artists at the 2011 Art Show. Congratulations to David and Scott on this recognition.


10 | Foundation Day

Foundation DayThe 1997 School Captain, Dr Nick Brown, was the guest speaker at the 2011 Foundation Day Assembly. Dr Brown spoke to a captivated audience on his travels to Cambridge and then Africa for the World Health Organisation. Dr Brown is a fine example of a well-rounded Grammar-educated Old Boy. His address to the School highlighted his exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service. He implored the boys to maximise their involvement in the School, particularly through the wide-ranging activities the School has to offer.

Congratulations to Old Boys Mitchell Van Deurse and Bill Stephens, worthy winners of the RH Roe and AS Roe Scholarships.

11 | Betty Howell Award


Betty Howell AwardIn awarding the inaugural Betty Howell Volunteers Award, the Grammar community not only recognised four worthy recipients, but importantly recognised the immense service Mrs Betty Howell gave to Brisbane Grammar School. Mrs Howell was present at the annual Volunteers Cocktail Function to present these awards. The individual contributions of award recipients of Old Boys Geoff Clarke and Norm Hirst and parents Marion Ham and the late Mrs Betty Vann were recognised at this important ceremony.


12 | Grammarians’ Rowing

Brisbane Grammarians’ Rowing Club was formed in 2009 with the aim of providing Old Boys with an opportunity to re-ignite their passion for rowing, improve their health and fitness, and to rekindle old friendships. The club calls GPS rowing shed home. Membership is open to all Old Boy rowers and can accommodate rowing in our own eight, the “Alec and Brom” as well as smaller boats. Whilst the focus of the club is rowing for leisure, there is an active Masters’ rowing calendar. There are many opportunities to race throughout the year, and the club frequently enters crews in regattas. The pinnacle event for the Masters eight crew for the year is the Head of the Yarra, an 8.6 km time trial race held in Melbourne in November each year. This is both a gruelling physical challenge and a fantastic social event, with more than 200 eights competing. Much preparation is made for both facets of the event!The club has had a busy year fundraising for new equipment as well as giving back to the community. This year we raised funds for the Heart Foundation with our inaugural “Creek To The Creek Challenge” rowathon event. Another fundraising initiative is the club’s commemorative oars. Any Old Boy can purchase a full-size refurbished oar, painted in BGS colours, printed with your name and old school crew on the blade. This makes an ideal memento of your school rowing days, or a memorable gift for your son or nephew.Enquiries regarding membership, commemorative oar purchase or donations to our preferred charity can be made to the OBA.

Allan CraftChairman Brisbane Grammarians’ Rowing

Grammarians’ Rowing

13 | Grammarians’ Rowing



14 | Sport

Golf Day

The Jim Taylor Memorial Cricket Match

15 | Archives


The Jim Taylor Memorial Cricket Match

ArchivesThe OBA is working with the School and its archivist, Mrs Vivien Harris, to consolidate and maintain the School’s archival records. The important function of securing the history of the School is a natural and obvious role for not only the OBA but also all Old Boys. In the coming months, the OBA will be launching an appeal to Old Boys to donate archival material to enhance the current collection.

If you have any queries or comments regarding the Old Boys’ Association, please contact us care of

Brisbane Grammar School Development Office via

phone: 07 3834 5206email: [email protected]

or post: Brisbane Grammar School, Gregory Tce, Brisbane QLD 4000

Documents

2 | Contents The Grammarian 2011 Year in Review - About Brisbane Grammar … · 2013-04-09 · 7 | Reunions The Grammarian 2011 Year in Review 30 Year Milestone 60+ Reunion Each year