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Volume 28 No.3 November 2018
Toowoomba Grammar School Fidelis in Omnibus
A publication of Toowoomba Grammar School PO Box 2900, Toowoomba Qld 4350 24 Margaret Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350 Tel: 07 4687 2500 Fax: 07 4687 2582 Email: [email protected] Web: www.twgs.qld.edu.au Cricos 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.au ABN 38 614 918 181
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 Wes McRae
Front Cover: The spectacular view across Old Boys' Memorial Oval for the international event, Diner en Blanc held on Saturday, 20 October 2018.
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From the President ................................................................................................. 21
Old Boy News ...................................................................................................... 22-30
From the Headmaster ...............................................................................................2
Year 12’s Well Prepared for QLD Core Skills (QCS) Test ...................3
Art Room .............................................................................................................................4
TGS and The University Of Cambridge ........................................................5
TGS and Oxford University ...................................................................................6
Language Tour to Japan .........................................................................................6
Football Tour To Japan ........................................................................................7-8
Rugby Tour of the USA .....................................................................................9-10
Choral Showcase....................................................................................................... 11
The Three Musketeers A Cabaret ................................................................. 11
Fathers' Day Revs Up ............................................................................................. 12
Ski Tour New Zealand ........................................................................................... 12
Cameron Shields Year 12 In The Fast Lane ........................................... 13
Bill Turner Cup - Queensland Champions ............................................. 14
Celebrating the opening of the Glen McCracken Sports Centre ... 15
Sony Camp Showcases Beauty Of Boys .................................................. 16
Way Out West ...................................................................................................... 17-18
From the Junior School ............................................................................... 19-20
Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School students embraced Book Week activities in August. This year's theme was 'Find Your Treasure' and there were plenty of gems at TGS.
Volume 28 No.3 November 2018
Toowoomba Grammar School Fidelis in Omnibus
Our School seeks to achieve a number of aims regarding the development of our boys to become fine young men. Our education is designed to be comprehensive, balanced and essentially academic so that each boy may progress toward his full potential as an individual and as a member of society. The Aims of the School extend beyond academic learning and also focus on the development of character and personal values. As an example, the staff of Toowoomba Grammar School also encourage our boys to exhibit the following in their behaviour both now and in the future:1. Integrity2. Resilience3. Persistence4. Respect5. Courage
6. Compassion7. Humility8. Service9. Loyalty10. Enthusiasm
The second personal trait listed above, that of resilience, is much admired and nowadays is a crucial quality to foster in terms of men’s mental health and wellbeing. This article will follow the progress of six boys in the resilience they have shown when coping with the difficulties and challenges presented in life. The first two boys considered here both sustained similar injuries whilst playing the sport of their passion, rugby union.
Oliver (Ollie) Bierhoff is a Year 12 boarder whose parents reside in Rowena, New South Wales. On Friday, 13 July of this year, Ollie was involved in a Second XV afternoon rugby training drill during the Term Two holidays. Ollie dislocated his C5 and C6 vertebrae resulting from a pick and drive drill whereby his head went to ground after missing a contact shield when this player lost his feet. Ollie was immediately treated by a sports medicine staff present at the School. Ollie spent forty days in the PA Hospital Spinal Unit and slowly regained mobility. He has now recovered and returned to his full-time schooling at TGS at the commencement of Term Four. The surgeons involved in Ollie’s medical treatment were amazed with his recovery. His four-month journey with this major injury will be featured in a forthcoming edition of the national television program
Australian Story.James Kleidon is a Year 12 dayboy and his
rugby injury occurred the next day, Saturday, 14 July. This was during a First XV squad trial game against Brisbane Grammar School at its Northgate playing fields. James’s injury took place at the breakdown in the first quarter of this trial match. James’ injury occurred when a team-mate attempted a clean-out after James had been tackled. As with Ollie Bierhoff, James sustained two dislocated vertebrae, C5 and C6. James’s full recovery was even more rapid than that of Ollie’s. Within two weeks James was back at school and, whilst appreciating he would not be permitted to play rugby, decided to assist the School’s rugby program by being the Assistant Coach of the Under 13A team.
Deep down James continues to love the game and is strong in his desire to put on the boots again. We wish him all the best.
As with Ollie Bierhoff, James’s return to
the School, walking and fit, was an event celebrated by the entire school community. Our School was inspired by the courage, spirit and determination shown by both Ollie and James as they coped with their injuries. One can only imagine the trauma involved in lying in a hospital spinal ward and not immediately knowing the outcome of their injury.
Extensive reviews by the School’s rugby staff have not identified any shortcomings in the preparation of the players nor their injury management. National media attention focussed on this issue given that two further major rugby injuries occurred in
a relatively short period after the injuries to both Ollie and James. At the time of writing the progress of these other two boys is not certain and we will continue to express our School’s thoughts and prayers to these boys - Connor Tweedy (St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace) and Alexander Clark (St Joseph’s Nudgee College). Regarding the injuries to the four boys who sustained their injuries, in August the Headmasters/Principals of the nine schools comprising the GPS Association of Queensland met with the CEO of Rugby Australia and other senior staff of RA and representatives of Queensland Rugby Union. This and subsequent meetings were called to ensure the highest levels of safety are in place across all levels of the GPS rugby competition. Comprehensive documentation was also prepared for a World Rugby Injury Report.
A further example of resilience and coping with adversity is seen with the story
of Henry Wunsch, a Year 12 student. Once again it has a connection to rugby but this was not the cause of the injury. In an on-farm accident during
Christmas 2016/2017 Henry was hit and thrown from his motorbike and sustained a broken fibula and ripped open a gash from his ankle up towards his knee and had to be airlifted from Condamine by Lifeflight. In the resilience typified by the previous examples, Henry completed all rehabilitation and regularly re-bandaged his injury and was back playing sport for the School within one month. Henry’s determination to play rugby at the Open Firsts level led him to the decision to engage a personal trainer to assist his recovery and advance his fitness level. To this end Henry worked 12 hour shifts on weekends and holidays driving large spray rigs, tractors and trucks. The postscript to this example of resilience is that Henry fully recovered, became one of the fittest members of the 1st XV squad and had a positive season playing rugby.
Dear Readers,
HeadmasterFrom the
L-R James Kleidon and Ollie Bierhoff pictured in good health and safely returned to the School to complete their final Year 12 studies – a blessing.
Henry Wunsch
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Year 12s Well Prepared for QLD Core Skills (QCS) Test The QCS tests were held on September 4 and 5. These four tests are akin to the GPS final of academic pursuits in the boys’ schooling life. It is the ultimate team event, where the performance of each student contributes to the outcome of the group and ultimately, how the boys’ OPs are calculated.
Trials earlier in Term Three demonstrated the boys’ continual improvement but these were gruelling days in terms of academic stamina so it was good to see that the boys were mentally and physically prepared. They were treated to a special cohort QCS
breakfast in the Centenary Dining Hall on the first morning of the exams, with staff and students providing motivational speeches before the boys gathered for the TGS war-cry outside the Assembly Hall.
There are four tests taken over the two days. The writing task is the first test and is different to any test the boys would have taken throughout their schooling; writing 600 words on a central idea that each boy generates from the theme and the stimulus material.
This year’s theme of Connection allowed the boys to write across a range
of topics from their connection to school, the importance (or not) of technology and cultural connections.
The short response paper on the second day tested the boys’ thinking across a range of skills such as analysis, evaluation and comparison within various disciplines. There were also two multiple choice tests held on each afternoon of the exams.
Boys will receive their results on Wednesday 14 November.
Henry’s motorbike accident is similar to that experienced by another Year 12 student, Billy Perrignon, a dayboy in Boyce
House. In the Term One holidays of Year 10 in 2016, Billy came off his motorbike at home and his leg was wedged between the back wheel of the motorbike and the hot exhaust muffler. Following admission to hospital in Brisbane the surgeons were unable to operate on Billy’s leg because of the extent of his burns. Billy remained in hospital for three weeks and had two surgeries during this time. He was unable to walk and play sport for some considerable time. Billy coped with the pain of the burns and the skin grafts and within twelve months had to face another test – being informed that his mother had a brain tumour (mother Jen is now showing positive signs of recovery). The resilience Billy has shown through these challenges led the School to nominate him as the recipient of the Toowoomba Mayoral Medal for Achievement in Adversity. Billy was presented with this honour by the Mayor of the Toowoomba Regional Council in October.
Another Year 12 student, Tom Jakins, lost his identical twin brother, Will, in April 2016 following a farm accident. Tom showed enormous
courage when he spoke of Will at the Memorial Service held in the School’s Assembly Hall. Tom has had to spend every day since April 2016 without his twin brother and missing the milestones of time such as the celebration of Year 12 graduation. The entire school community deeply respects the courage and resilience shown by Tom Jakins and his parents as they have dealt with such tragedy.
Peter Rathie is a Year 9 dayboy and at the end of 2017 was diagnosed with leukemia. Peter has been away for the vast majority of this
year undergoing chemotherapy sessions and has only returned part-time to the School in November. Peter is deserving of our utmost respect for dealing with such a major illness and never once complaining of his predicament. We are looking forward to
Peter returning to the School full-time at the beginning of 2019.
The six examples above illustrating the resilience of the Toowoomba Grammarians are merely a sample. Most weeks I encounter at least one of our young men coping with bereavement, injury, major illness, family disruption or other events and these boys have continued to somehow cope with, and manage to the best of their ability, the pressures and challenges they have had to face. Similarly, I know of countless examples of incredible resilience shown by Old Boys and parents of boys at our School. Life will present challenges to us all and the illustrations of the resilience shown by Toowoomba Grammarians can only serve to inspire us. I am honoured to be the Headmaster of Toowoomba Grammar School when I observe, every day, the impressive personal qualities shown by our young men.
I close with two quotes relevant to adversity and resilience:
1. “It’s your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf
2. “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” Nelson Mandela
Peter B HauserHeadmaster
Billy Perrignon Tom Jakins
Peter Rathie
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An Educational JourneyHow far they've come...
Our Year 12 students who started at TGS in the Junior School enjoyed a special 'reunion' in the Junior School on Friday, 26 October. They shared their fond memories
of the journey from Junior School to their coming graduation, the lifelong friends they've made and passed on some words of wisdom to the Prep-Year 6 students before taking the little awestruck Preps for morning tea.”
2018 Young Creator Awards
Jacob Burgoyne won the award for ‘Best creation’ for his beautiful indigenous artwork, entitled “The Cycle of Life”. Jacob spent over 50 hours ‘dot painting’ this ostrich egg.
Tom Heath was award ‘Best Innovation’ for his Flat Pack Table. This table can fold down to A3 size and is easily transportable.
Dr George Fielding Awards
This was a special honour for a number of our Year 12 students who have shown consistent work ethic from Years 8 to 12. These boys were presented with the prestigious Dr George Fielding Award for receiving either Pro Summa Diligentia or Pro Diligentia Awards for a minimum of 75% of their time in the Senior School. That's a minimum of eight Diligentia awards.
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In October a Toowoomba Grammar School Year 12 student from 2017 commenced his tertiary studies at The University of Cambridge. Austin Reed was amongst thousands of applicants world-wide and the results of his entrance examination were so positive that he was offered a place to read a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with Honours. At Toowoomba Grammar School Austin combined his academic success with broad and extensive involvement in many opportunities on offer.
Austin was a member of the School’s Open 1st XI Football (Soccer) team which came second in the GPS competition. He also played other sports such as Volleyball, Basketball and swam for the School. His mathematical ability was combined with significant ability in Art such that one of his paintings was displayed at the Creative Generation Excellence in Visual Art Exhibition at the Southbank Art Galleries in Brisbane.
Austin was heavily involved in Community Service activities during his time at Toowoomba Grammar School. This included participating in the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp for children with disabilities, Tri-Care visits, Clean-up Australia Day and numerous fund-raising events. The School community congratulates Austin Reed on his significant achievement and wishes him all the best with his study of Mathematics at The University of Cambridge.
Austin is not the only Toowoomba Grammar School student to undertake tertiary studies at Cambridge. Acknowledged on the Toowoomba Grammar School Wall of Achievement is Dr Donald Syme, the Dux of the School in 1987.
Toowoomba Grammar School and The University Of Cambridge
Austin Reed (2011-2017) and Headmaster
Artwork by Austin Reed, Year 12 TGS – it hangs in the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane in 2018
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Toowoomba Grammar School and Oxford University
Language Tour to JapanFrom 18 September to 8 October, thirteen Toowoomba Grammar students explored Japan as participants in the biennial Language and Cultural Tour.
The tour exposed them to a wealth of culture and experience, including classroom activities at our host school, religious rituals, hiking, traditional archery and karaoke. After the homestay component, in the course of the tour the boys visited a castle and museums in Hiroshima, temples in Nara and Kyoto, an amusement park and aquarium in Osaka, and an emergency training centre and vehicle
design showroom in Tokyo. The tour operated on a food kitty
system so the students were also required to source and budget for most of their meals. In doing so, they discovered and tried a variety of dishes and cooking styles and became experts in convenience store and restaurant culture. Despite the threat of a
number of typhoons, the
group managed to stay ahead of the weather and complete the set itinerary. As a result, a number of the boys have said they felt much fitter by the end of the trip, having walked the equivalent distance of Brisbane to Toowoomba over 3 weeks.
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Twenty TGS boys and three staff departed for the Brisbane International Airport by bus at 4am on Friday 21 September. The Football Tour group landed at Kansai Airport in Japan that evening and then checked into the Star Gate Hotel.
The next morning we were greeted by the Mayor of Takatsuki City and the Football Federation prior to our first games in Takatsuki City. A friendly game of football was played later in the day.
The boys were delivered to the football field by their host families on both game days. The boys were full of stories about what they ate for dinner and breakfast, which restaurant they went to last night, the onsen (traditional Japanese baths) they visited for the first time, and the generous hospitality offered by the host families. A regular comment made by many Japanese host families was that the boys were so well-mannered while living in their homes.
The boys played against three very strong Takatsuki City teams. The TGS boys were defeated 4-1 in the first game. The second ended with a score of 3-2 to Takatsuki. The scores for all four games were certainly not indicative of the standard at which our boys played. They managed to push through the high temperatures.
They absolutely enjoyed playing on the synthetic surface. The opponents were incredibly humble and made our team feel really welcome.
The boys had an hour’s break before playing their next two games. They continued to work hard against a challenging opposition despite the hot conditions. Unfortunately they went down 2-1 and 4-1.
The host families delivered the boys to the Takatsuki City Hall at 8:45am on the third day. Farewells and photographs took place before we walked in the light rain for about ten minutes with luggage in tow to the local train station. From here we travelled to Kyoto
and changed trains to the Shinkansen, the "bullet" train, and reached a speed of over 300 km/hr.
The rain was falling heavily by the time we arrived at the Shin Yokohama station. We travelled by bus for approximately fifteen minutes before we reached the school in a
very affluent area of Tokyo. After unloading the bus at St Mary's International School the boys were soon introduced to the officials of the school as well as their new host families.
The following day consisted of a train trip to Kyoto where we spent the day visiting a few of the world-renowned tourist attractions. A lot of walking was involved. We spent some time at Kiyomizu-dera, the most visited temple in Kyoto, walked through the Gion District in the hope of seeing a geisha, and visited the Bamboo Gardens. We experienced more traditional Japanese food and drink at an interesting restaurant which the boys enjoyed.
On Wednesday 26 September the boys were delivered to the school at 8am. All boys stayed with a family who had a son at St Mary's School. All of the boys seemed well and happy upon arrival at the school. Once again, the boys wanted to share many stories about their experiences with their
host families. One of the boys stayed with the Danish Ambassador. Another stayed with the American Ambassador who happened to be on the telephone the previous night to Donald Trump!
The school day started at 8:25am. From then until midday the TGS boys accompanied their host brothers to their lessons. Some of these were appealing to our boys and included swimming and a separate PE lesson. The school itself is quite impressive. There are almost 900 students from Prep to Year 12 and approximately 30% of the students are Japanese.
Lunch was provided for the TGS boys and staff in the school canteen at 11:30am. This was an experience for the boys. Plastic replicas of the meals being provided for the day were on display in a cabinet as the boys entered the canteen. They also had some play time with the St Mary's boys before they started to prepare for the football games which started at 1pm.
The playing field consisted of a synthetic surface similar to that on which they played in Takatsuki City. The weather was still overcast and cool when the first game started. This was a pleasant change from the warmth and humidity we had been having since arriving in Japan. However, rain started falling just before the first game had ended. Initially, in the first game the boys came up against a much older and stronger team. They performed really well with the score being 0-0 at half time. The final score for the game was 2-0 to St Mary's International School.
Five minutes after the first game the boys were on the field again for the second game. Rain fell throughout the whole game. Five minutes into the game Harrison Tate put the ball into the back of the net. St Mary's International School came back soon after
Football Tour To Japan
7
with a goal making the final score 1-1. The boys were soaking wet when the final whistle went but they enjoyed playing in the rain.
It was then back to the change room to put on some dry clothes before the official presentations. This was followed by pizzas provided by St Mary's International School for all the players.
There was the buzz of excitement in the air the following morning while waiting to catch the bus at St Mary's International School. The boys were certainly looking forward to our day at Tokyo Disneyland. We were there for nine hours. St Mary's International School kindly offered the use of one of their ten school buses and driver to transport us to and from Tokyo Disneyland.
The boys and adults tried many of the attractions during the day. These included Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours, Splash Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters. The high standard of technology involved and the great attention to detail created spectacular attractions.
Many of the Japanese visitors to Tokyo Disneyland like to get into the spirit of the day by dressing in their favourite fairy tale or cartoon characters. Many of the people they are with are dressed identically or as part of a theme. So people watching was part of the day's entertainment.
It was certainly a very enjoyable and tiring day for the boys and adults. Many of the boys stocked up on Tokyo Disneyland souvenirs for themselves and family members. We boarded the bus at 7pm to head back to St Mary's International School where the parents were waiting to collect our boys. Travelling through Tokyo at night was a different experience for the boys.
It was ideal weather on the next day for our day of sightseeing in Tokyo. Our plans were to catch a train to Shibuya and spend some time there before walking to Harajuku. Shibuya is famous for having the world's
busiest intersection crossing.After travelling to Shibuya on another
crowded train we took the boys to an Oriental Bazaar before allowing them some free time to do some shopping. We then walked the back streets of Shibuya and eventually arrived at Harajuku Street. This was a crowded narrow pedestrian pathway with shops and restaurants on both sides. We found a place to eat lunch before walking to a five-storey football store. This was "heaven" for the boys. There were shirts, socks, scarves and boots purchased.
It was then time to walk across the street to the Meiji Shrine. We walked through lush gardens in the middle of Tokyo until we reached the shrine. The boys went through the ritual again of washing their hands at the entrance. We then caught a train to central Tokyo where we boarded the limousine bus for the hour-long trip to Narita Airport.
It was a tiring day for everyone. It ran fairly smoothly, apart from a few boys who lost their Tokyo Metro Passes!!!
After checking in at 7pm we had some dinner before we boarded the plane at 9:05pm ready for the overnight flight to the Gold Coast.
The trip was certainly a valuable learning experience for the boys. The blend of football games, Japanese hospitality and being immersed in the culture will remain a prominent memory for them.
Mike Sharpe, Deputy Head of Junior School
日本ツアー 8
It was a crisp morning, that of Saturday, March 31, the squad’s first full day of its California tour, and it began with a training session. Through the night, a thick fog had settled on San Francisco, hiding the Golden Gate Bridge and, well, everything, actually. It was no surprise that the bay’s ferries resorted to fog horn messages throughout the night.
The training paddock was a large rectangular park; green and very weedy. It was on the bay. Local onlookers, captivated by an unfamiliar footy code, watched on, sidled by Antipodean expats who reminisced with the game they used to watch. Coaches Dave Enfantie and Andy McKinnon commandeered the morning. A forwards versus backs touch footy game was the
highlight; the players were bristling with the enthusiasm of playing overseas.
For the staff, lunch was seafood chowder on the pier. In-n-Out burgers were the boys’ fare of choice. Then it was on to the University of California, Berkeley. Tom Billups, a former Eagles hooker and captain, who also went on to coach the national side was the tour guide. Jaws dropped as the tourists alighted the bus. The meeting spot was “Memorial Stadium”, a 63,000-seat on-campus monstrosity. It’s also on a tectonic plate fault line. The boys gawked at its size. Touring halves Baxter Franey and Angus Clark pictured themselves running downfield, ball in hand, defenders at the heel, all the while their fans delirious in support.
“Cal” is one of the world’s top learning institutions. It is highly competitive – for this year’s July intake, “Cal” had about 83,000 applicants and only offered places to 14% of them. With the multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art high performance sport facilities, the TGS players’ interests were certainly piqued.
Whilst in San Francisco the TGS boys also toured around U.S.P. Alcatraz, America’s first Maximum Security jail and that night, the boys went to an NBA match between the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. The Warriors won a 15th straight game, 117 – 107; Kevin Durant (29 points) would have stolen the show had it not been for the hip hopping Stormtroopers.
A Toowoomba Grammar School touring
Rugby Tour of the
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squad drove off the island after two wins against San Francisco’s Golden Gate Rugby Club; the city looked splendid.
Will Chaffey went into the history books at the first try-scorer on tour.
Earlier in the day, the tourists visited Ivy League university: Stanford.
Rugby head coach Josh Sutcliffe, a South Australian, hosted the squad for a session of games.
After a night with billet families from the Golden Gate Rugby Club, TGS played St Edward’s High School, Ohio with TGS proving too strong.
A tour of the Capitol Building was a highlight of the four days spent there.
The tourists had two fixtures against
three teams in Sacramento. On April 4, many of the boys went to school with their billets - most went to Rocklin High School, but others visited Roseville and Del Oro High Schools. The teachers, support staff and students commented that the TGS boys were extremely polite and engaging, whilst the Grammar boys enjoyed the differences to their own schooling - no uniform, co-educational classes, and that during many of the lessons background music was played.
Captain Quin hosted the squad on the USS Essex, a Wasp Class Aircraft Carrier docked in San Diego for an exclusive tour.
In San Diego the boys took in an American Hockey League (AHL) game between the San Diego Gulls and the Ontario
(LA) Reign, rode electric scooters around the Gaslamp Quarter, had a tour of San Diego Harbour on an amphibious truck and devoured fish tacos.
The tourists took on the Coastal Dragons, an Encinitas-based club, north of San Diego city, in two matches. After winning both matches both sides bonded over enormous pizza pies at a wonderful local pizza parlour.
Los Angeles was the next stop for the tourists and TGS suited up for its final tour match against Mira Costa High School. All this was after a trip through Hollywood, along Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Muscle Beach, Universal Studios and through the streets of Santa Monica.
Ted Vary about to tackle an opponent from Coastal Dragons Club (Encinitas)
On the flight deck of USS Essex
Tour squad on Berkley’s Football field
Outside Angel Stadium in Los Angeles
USA
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Choral ShowcaseThe Choral Showcase Concert in August
was a wonderful celebration of the immense vocal talents TGS boys possess, and so willingly share with their school community. Choral performances included Xpression Choir with The Glennie School, Years 7 to 9 Choir, the Grammarphones and Senior Choir. Selected vocal soloists were invited to perform, and the audience was delighted to hear performances by John Anderson (Year 9), Jeremy Bazley (Year 10), Watson Blaikie (Year 12), Ruben Fitton (Year 7), Sean Johnston (Year 12), Angus Mohr (Year 9) and Hamish Wells (Year 9). All performances were highly polished and thoroughly entertaining. A few special touches were added to the evening, with Ruby Crabtree-Spencer from St Ursula’s College and Hamish Wells (Year 9) providing a beautiful dance accompaniment, Julian Lachmund (Year 10) performing on Violin and Lachlan Seawright (Year 11), Sam Dyer (Year 10) and Felix Thomason (Year 9) providing wonderful guitar and drum accompaniment for the choral finale.
CAMERATA COMES TO TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOLThe Queensland Camerata Orchestra conducted a workshop at the School with TGS students in early August. Camerata isn’t your typical strings orchestra, but has earned a reputation for innovation and adventurous programming. The ensemble has established itself as a chamber orchestra of national significance with an outstanding track record of artistic achievement.
The ensemble performs a major concert season annually in Brisbane as well as at festivals, regional tours and national broadcasts. Camerata members conducted a workshop with TGS’ four String Ensembles; the student groups performed one or two pieces, with the experienced Camerata musicians then workshopping the repertoire with the students in a masterclass format.
QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MASTERCLASSThe Queensland Symphony Orchestra presented an amazing opportunity for a number of burgeoning young musicians from around the South West Queensland region with a Masterclass at Toowoomba Grammar School in late August with fifteen pre-selected, advanced music students from
as far away as Kingaroy and Dalby attending. Instrument
technique and
musicianship strategies were explored in sessions for Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet and Trombone. A number of local music teachers also took advantage of the chance to work with some of the best musicians in the country including Alan Smith - Violin, Craig Young - Cello and Nicole Tait - Bassoon. Two TGS students, Julian Lachmund (Year 10), and Oliver Schubert (Year 9), were selected to be part of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Prodigy Project, and were fortunate to be able to participate in the Masterclass.
CUSKELLY COLLEGE OF MUSIC WORKSHOPDr James Cuskelly OAM and Judith Johnson presented an all day Professional Development workshop for Primary and Secondary Classroom Music Teachers and students early September in the Junior School. Over 40 Music teachers and students from all over the region were involved, and all attendees left the workshop feeling very inspired by these two world-class music educators.
The Three Musketeers A CabaretToowoomba Grammar Acting Academy (TiGAA) students put their twist on the popular tale of The Three Musketeers and in doing so, delighted a full-house at the Armitage Centre, Empire Theatre on Thursday, 25 October.
The production was much more involved than the students simply receiving a script and learning their lines; The Three Musketeers – a
Cabaret was written by Christopher Thomson, TGS Old Boy (2009-13) and current National Institute of Drama Arts (NIDA) Directing student, along with TiGAA students.
The process involved the TiGAA students sending Christopher videos of their improvised work each week over a five-week period for assessment and editing. Christopher also took time out of his busy NIDA schedule
for numerous ‘skype’ sessions with the students and he even returned to TGS for a number of workshops.
The completed script was a hilarious modern-day take on this well-known tale. It was full of wit and intrigue, following The Musketeers, a failed 80’s cover band, on their travels to find D’Artagnan, their new band member.
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Fathers' Day Revs UpToowoomba Grammar School Year 3 students celebrated Fathers' Day a little early in late August. Computer games may be all the rage these days, but TGS wants to take a step back in time and show the younger generation how their Dads enjoyed their childhood with a traditional Billy Cart Race. The Dads and their
sons constructed their cart from scratch at School, before culminating in the ‘TGS 500’. Billy Cart Day is a TGS tradition, dating back to 2005 and is a very special chance for fathers and sons to come together and enjoy some quality time and outdoor fun.
Ski Tour New ZealandThere were perfect conditions for some serious 'shredding' for participants on the Toowoomba Grammar School Ski Tour to New Zealand. The group was at The Remarkables for three days.
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Toowoomba Grammar School Year 12 student, Cameron Shields is one of just five athletes Australia-wide to be selected for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2019 Scholarship and Mentoring Program.
Now in its 12th year, the program is designed to help young Australians reach the highest levels of their sport, by providing encouragement and funding over a fourteen-month period.
Since he could barely walk, Cameron Shields has loved motor racing. After many wins, losses and ambulance trips, Shields was about to give up his love of racing before an opportunity arose to drive race cars, and after only four months he was invited to drive in Australia’s fastest circuit – Formula 3.
At just 14-years-of-age, Shields was racing at speeds of over 250kph, two years before he could
even apply for his Queensland learner’s permit.
In 2016, still unable to legally drive on Queensland roads, Shields went on to become the youngest person to win a National Formula 3 Championship.
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) CEO, Eugene Arocca said Cameron gives motor sport his all and should be congratulated for being recognised with this scholarship.
“The Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship is a terrific opportunity for someone like Cameron who is showing tremendous skill whenever he races in the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship,” said Mr Arocca.
To further add to his achievements, Cameron has also been selected to join the reigning 2018 Pro Mazda Champions for the Eighth Annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Cameron was the first driver to be announced for the Juncos Racing Pro Mazda team. Cameron will make his first appearance in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder series on the 2.439 mile, 14-Turn road course located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Cameron SHIELDS
YEAR 12 IN THE FAST LANE
Graeme Lloyd & Cameron Shields
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The Toowoomba Grammar School U15 Football squad has enjoyed plenty of success this year, being crowned State Champions after a tough match against Palm Beach Currumbin. It was a 1-1 draw at full time and the game then moved into a ‘drop-off’ system where each team loses a player every five
minutes until a goal is scored. Dylan Proctor was awarded a penalty and fired the winning shot for TGS.
Under the guidance of Mr Chris McLeod, Mr Peter Broadfoot and Mr Paul Kalinowski, the team then travelled to Newcastle in August to compete for the Australian title, the
Bill Tuner Cup. They beat Bossley Park High 2-0 and progressed to the Grand Final where, despite a valiant effort, they went down 2-0 against Westfields Sports High.
TGS was crowned national runners up, proudly returning home with the William Turner Shield.
TGS Teachers Dr Deb Da Silva and Mrs Kirsten Randle present at International Boys’ Schools Coalition Conference on the Gold Coast
Toowoomba Grammar School teachers, Dr Debra Da Silva and Kirsten Randle had plenty of interest in their presentation at the International Boys' Schools Coalition Conference (IBSC) on the Gold Coast. There was a packed house for their topic 'The Impact of Teacher Expectation on Boys’ Motivation to Learn'.
TGS FootballersQueensland Champions andAustralian Runners Up
Bill Turner Cup
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Celebrating the opening of
The Glen McCracken Sports Centre
Mr Glen McCracken and members of his family
Headmaster, Mr Peter Hauser, Chairman, Mr Glen McCracken, Mayor, Mr Paul Antonio and Member for Toowoomba North, Mr Trevor Watts.
Mr Glen McCracken has
the official honours
Headmaster addressing guests
The TGS Volleyball teams have been enjoying
pre-season training in their new facility
The first Basketball home game in the new Centre was against Ipswich Grammar School
The ribbon cutting ceremony
Cricket training can now occur indoors
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When I had my third son I felt like I had somehow ‘disappointed society’. During all my pregnancies the vast majority of people would say “I hope you’re having a girl”, “I bet you want a girl”, “Little girls are so beautiful”, “Every mother needs a daughter” and on it went. There seems to be a perception in Australian society that boys are trouble; loud, disrespectful, naughty and emotionless. It would make me feel angry and sad.
After working at Toowoomba Grammar School for the past six months, I no longer feel that way. In fact, every day when I leave my job I feel like shouting “Boys are fantastic!” “Society, you have got it wrong!” I am constantly amazed by the boys at this School. They are respectful, polite, humble, grateful, helpful; these are encounters I have on a daily basis, but no words can express what it was like to see these young men at the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp for children with special needs.
The twelfth annual Sony Camp at TGS was held from September 22–24. The event is so highly anticipated for the Toowoomba Grammar students that the organisers are oversubscribed with the number of boys wishing to participate.
This year, forty-six Year 11 boys volunteered to spend two nights and three days as ‘companion carers’ to thirty-four children with special needs, giving their families some much-needed respite. It was overwhelming to watch these sixteen and seventeen-year-old boys doting on the campers.
There were young boys clinging to the necks of their companions in the water during the swimming activity at the TGS Aquatic Centre; they were struggling to move, they couldn’t talk but they were smiling and laughing and their ‘big, tough’ teenage carers were just as joyous. One boy lifted his companion up out of the water onto the side of the pool and ever-so gently strapped a float belt around his waist before carefully lifting him back into the water and then held his head up as the young child floated. Another quietly nursed his immobile companion at the end of the pool, away from the crowds. The little boy wrapped his arms around his carer’s neck and would lean forward to dip his face into the water, pop his head back up and then grin from ear to ear, the smile replicated on the teenager’s face. Another little boy became overwhelmed by all the commotion around him and started to get upset, his teenage carers calmly and quickly lifted him out of the pool and wrapped him in a towel, kneeling beside him and talking to him while holding him carefully to give him the reassurance he needed.
Out of the water there were plenty of activities to participate in; the boys were helping their companions with painting, playing ball, pushing billy-carts, running or just sitting quietly next to each other if that’s what was needed. All smiles, the TGS boys endured icy cold winds, dripping wet after their companions dunked them in the water on Show Day. They patiently walked beside the ponies that the children adored, went for a dizzying number of rides on the ‘cup and saucer’ or on the all-time-favourite buggy and they cheered encouragement for the campers swiping at the piñata.
It wasn’t all rosy however, there were also plenty of challenges; the boys had to help the children eat, bathe and take them to the toilet, they were climbed all over,
dragged from here-to-there and there was the occasional tantrum that needed to be resolved. They were not trained carers, they only had a one-day induction about different scenarios they may have to deal with, but they took it all in their stride, and so graciously too.
This clearly was not a chore to these teenagers, they were genuinely happy to be there and to ensure their companions had a special, memorable weekend. The patience and empathy they showed were overwhelming. These were children that the boys had only known for a few hours, there was no family history or prior emotional connection, but they were taking care of them like they were their own. You just wouldn’t expect teenage boys to behave like these boys were; it was really wonderful to witness. There were so many moments that moved me to tears and made my heart feel like it would burst, it was a very emotional experience – and I was only there for a few hours each day as a ‘spectator’. I can only imagine the impact the Sony Foundation Children’s Camp must have on the young men who participate in it and the impression that they must leave on their companions and their families.
And so, once again I left my job thankful that I have three sons and confident that with the right guidance they can grow into compassionate, loving young men. You’re not missing out if you’re a mother of boys – you’re lucky to be one!
Stacey Silver
TGS Media and Marketing Officer and Year 7 Parent
SONY CAMP SHOWCASES BEAUTY OF BOYS
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Way Out WestToowoomba Grammar School likes to ensure a strong connection with our boarding families and has used the recent school holidays as an opportunity to head west and visit some of our families.
Groom Boarding House Master Dan MacDonald spent 11 days travelling through Western Queensland and Northern South Australia visiting boarding families with his five-year-old son Freddy and Groom's Resident Master Jon Hall.
First stop was Dalby and a spit-roast dinner at "Johno's Inn" with the Johnston family. Then it was on to Roma where Freddy spent the night playing rugby with the Cameron boys - Hamish (Year 8), Jonty and Declan - and Lachie Martyn (Year 12) on the Camerons' property "Kilima".
The Donohoe family's cattle property "Newstead" outside Morven, was the next stop. After a lick run with Robyn, whose youngest of three boys, Ben, graduates TGS
this year, the trio were treated to delicious T-bone steaks. It was an ideal meal ahead of a morning of mustering and drafting weaners.
Farewelling Morven, and having worked up an appetite, the group drove to Charleville where they enjoyed a local lunch with Mitch Schneider (Year 12) and his mother Leanne. Next stop: Eromanga, to call on the Pegler family who run "Monler Station" and "Buckaroola" - 180,000 acres of cattle and sheep grazing lands. Sam (Year 11) ably
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bounced between taking Freddy on joy rides around the homestead on his motorbike, checking water troughs and dishing out cotton seed to the rams. Week-to-week, his mother Jo splits her time between running the properties with her husband Scott and conducting tours of the Eromanga Natural History Museum, which houses fossils belonging to Australia's largest discovered dinosaur: Cooper the Titanosaur.
"Durham Downs", a 2-million acre cattle
property abutting Queensland's border with South Australia, was the next stop. Keegan Cobb (Year 12) gave a tour of the homestead and the property, before cooking a bush BBQ (steaks and snags) and catching about 100 yabbies for the family.
After an indulgent stop at the Innamincka Races, Dan, Freddy and Jon travelled through Cunnamulla to St George, where the Brimblecombes treated them to an afternoon of water-skiing on the Balonne River. Brodie
(Year 9) showed his Housemaster how skiing ought to be done.
The hospitality shown to the MacDonalds and Jon was memorable and huge thanks go to the families who hosted them.
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Toowoomba Grammar School
From the Junior School
Third term was a vibrant and dynamic one for Junior School boys and staff. All were involved in our Prep to Year 6 musical ‘Madagascar’, with performances occurring towards the end of the term. The Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week is always
a special time, with visiting authors and illustrators, class competitions, classroom doorways being decorated based on short listed books and our dress up day as characters from children’s books. The Year 3 boys enjoyed making billy carts with
their fathers on the Friday prior to Fathers’ Day, which is an exciting annual event. We also celebrated a successful instrumental eisteddfod season. The photographs tell the story.
Mr Alastair Bain’s Year 4 class dressed in their Book Week costumes.
Junior School instrumental ensembles enjoyed fantastic results at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. The Junior School Orchestra, pictured above with their conductor, Mrs Jayne Davidson, won the Primary Schools Orchestra section for the fourth year in a row.
Miss Michelle McCorkindale’s Year 1 class dressed in their Book Week costumes.
Book Week
Junior School Orchestra
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‘Madagascar’, our Prep to Year 6 musical, was a smash hit! Pictured above are some of the lead cast (L – R) Isaac Constable (Melman the giraffe), Jackson Smiddy (Alex the lion), George Smolenski (Gloria the hippo) and Nicholas Bielby (Marty the zebra).
Darcy Meagher (Year 6) rocked the house as King Julien.
Nicholas Bielby as Marty the zebra singing a solo on stage in ‘Madagascar’.
Mack Parsons (Prep) with his dad, Troy, sharing their first Fathers’ Day breakfast at school.
Andrew Brown with his son, Hugo (Year 2) enjoying time together at the Fathers’ Day breakfast.
Jackson Smiddy as Alex the lion, surrounded by other cast members in ‘Madagascar’.
Devan Pokharel (left) in Year 1, with his father Khageshwor and Suhaan Chowdhury also in Year 1 with his dad, Suman enjoyed their Fathers’ Day breakfast.
Madagascar
Fathers' Day
By Scott CampbellHead of Junior School
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The Official Old Boys’ Newsletter
From the PresidentDaniel Burrett (2001-2008)
It is incredible that another year has almost flown by! The Old Boys have enjoyed a busy last few months, as the year comes to a close, with some fantastic reunions and events.
Firstly, a wonderful reunion was held for the School’s Dive Club that operated under the leadership of former teacher, Mr Ted Brambleby from 1971 to 1996. It was held at Hastings Point and I particularly thank Robert Gratwick (1981-85) and Ted’s daughter, Holly Keys, for their impressive organisation of this event. Robert has reported further on the reunion elsewhere in this publication.
At the start of September an inaugural Sunshine Coast Luncheon was held at the Oaks Oasis Resort in Caloundra. The gathering was organised by Mr Sydney John (Syd) Gardner (1947-50) and Mr Waverley Stanley (1980-84). It was a privilege to attend the event and witness such a large cohort of Old Boys laughing, reminiscing and generally returning to their boisterous youth. There was a vast array of representation ranging from men who attended the School in the late 1940s right through to the youngest who left a decade ago.
Mr Stanley was the Guest of Honour and Speaker at the event and his speech was a resounding success. Mr Gardner summed it up beautifully: “He spoke with conviction and tolerance about what he described as his life’s work. To currently have 161 indigenous boys and girls studying at private schools throughout Australia, is a wonderful result in such a short time. What really impressed me, however, was his personal bond with the School.”
At this event, it was my privilege and honour to bestow Honorary Life Membership
of the Association on Mr Syd Gardner, an award that has only been given to a few select gentlemen across the history of the Old Boys’ Association. Among many things, Syd has been instrumental in organising a multitude of reunions and events of fellowship that support the objectives of the Association – that of fostering comradery with the Old Boys of the School. On behalf of the Association and
Old Boys of the School, we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.
To round out this busy period for the Old Boys, we hosted the annual Business Breakfast in the Pavilion in October. It is incredible that we have such a talent of Old Boys that we can call on to share their knowledge and experience as a guest speaker. This year, The Hon. David
Littleproud, MP (1992-93) took up the call and delivered a brilliant ‘off the cuff’ speech to a packed house. As the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, it was incredibly timely and the questions that followed allowed the audience to gain a wonderful insight into pressing issues. We would like to thank Mr Littleproud for his time and generosity. We also extend our gratitude to the 10 businesses (and Old Boys) that assisted with sponsorship of the event.
Before I sign off for another year, I would like to thank the men on the Committee for their trust, experience and assistance in running the Association for 2018. Simply, it cannot be done without the volunteering of your time and energy – thank you.
I look forward to catching up with many of
you in 2019!
Daniel Burrett(2001-2008)President TGS Old Boys' Association
Syd Gardner
Michael Mettham (1982-86) with former teacher and TGURAC Founder, Ted Brambleby
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TGS Old Boysat St Leo's College, UQToowoomba Grammar School is now the largest feeder school in Australia for young men residing at St Leo’s College at the University of Queensland.
Stephen Foley, Head of College, said the last two honour board inscriptions acknowledging St Leo’s most outstanding cultural contributions have been recognising former TGS students.
St Leo’s is the only UQ college to have had a UQ Graduate of the Year – recognised as the academically most excellent of all UQ grads in any one year. In fact, it’s had two, Patrick Doolan in 2013 and Aaron Brooker in 2014.
Since the 1970s, St Leo's College has hosted the Archbishop Sir James Duhig Memorial Lecture and Dinner celebrating the late Archbishop not just for his extraordinary contribution to the educational life of Queensland, but also his 50 years on the UQ senate. The Duhig Lecture is perhaps
the most prestigious and significant college event that UQ hosts each year and has been delivered by serving Prime Ministers, leaders of the federal opposition, Queensland premiers, nationally distinguished journalists, novelists, playwrights, diplomats and high court judges.
Six Toowoomba Grammar School Year 12 student leaders, Watson Blaikie, Fynn and Hamish Donaldson, Campbell Goodchild, Max Manassero and Josiah Neal, had the honour of being invited to the 2018 Lecture and Dinner. This was delivered by the Honourable Michael Kirby AC, the renowned former high court judge and Commissioner to the UN. Along with the dinner and public lecture, the boys also had the privilege of attending a private address by Mr Kirby where he spoke about North Korea, denuclearisation and global safety. They were accompanied by TGS teachers, Mrs Therese Manassero and Mrs Eylece Blaikie.
UNIVERSITY DEGREES
Toby BURSTOW, QUT B Music
Samuel HARRIS, QUT B IT
Jeremy HEINER, UQ Associate Degree Business
Saxon HOWARD-SECOMBE, UQ B Arts
Pierce LEAHY, UQ Bachelor of Music (Honours)
Luke MANASSERO, UQ B Science (Major Biomedical Science)
Justin WEIER, UQ B Advanced Finance and Economics
Hamish WILLIAMS, Griffith B Film & Screen Media Production
Standing Luke Manassero, Pierce Leahy, Toby Burstow, Hamish Williams Seated Jeremy Heiner, Samuel Harris, Saxon Howard-Secombe, Justin Weier
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Ralph Skoien was born in Warwick on 6 September 1929 after the Skoien family lost their home, Pilton Homestead, in a disastrous fire. The family moved to Worrah at Cambooya and Ralph always rode to school which developed his affinity with horses. When Ralph was aged nine, his father was ill in hospital and his mother had to stay with him, so Ralph drove the cows for four miles along the roadside to be milked daily at their friends’ farm.
When the war came the family moved to Toowoomba and Ralph became a day boy, much to the horror of his brothers who were boarders. Ralph’s brothers were Roald (1936-39), Donald (1939-40), and Nelson (Tony) (1952-55).
After leaving school Ralph wanted to become a midshipman but his mother, with a husband in the Army in Indonesia, and two sons, Roald and Don in the Navy, wouldn’t give her permission. However, his uncle obtained a position for him in the Merchant Navy and he became a Master Mariner. On one cruise he met his wife-to-be, Valerie Quirk. When their first baby arrived Ralph’s family persuaded him to leave the sea and become a family man.
Ralph was employed by an aluminium manufacturer and he devised a method of insulation using two sheets of aluminium separated by an aluminium upright so that the air between was the actual insulation.
This invention earned him the award of Inventor of the Year which was presented to him by Prince Phillip. Ralph and his son Warwick manufactured the silver batts and Ralph designed and built the machine which produced them. Ralph Skoien’s name is displayed on Toowoomba Grammar School’s Wall of Achievement acknowledging this contribution. Ralph, his brothers and sister came to the School to see the addition of his name.
Ralph passed away on 6 May 2018 aged 88 years after a protracted illness.
This obituary was prepared with information kindly provided by Ralph’s sister, Petra (Kip) Jones.
John Edgar passed away on Sunday, 15 July
2018. John was a gentle giant and universally
liked and respected, always affable and friendly
to everyone. John was the son of a Pittsworth
bank manager and studied Law in Brisbane
after school whilst also playing “A” grade for
Wests in the Brisbane rugby competition. Here
he excelled as a goal kicker, a talent he didn’t
reveal while at school playing as a prop in the
1960/61 Firsts.
After qualifying as a solicitor, John practised in his own Dalby law firm for many years. John Edgar visited the School in October 2017 as part of a group of Old Boys celebrating a belated presentation of a rugby colours pocket to Rod Hard.
John was a loving family man to wife Helen and his children, Sally, David and their families. John lived his life by the belief of not passing the ball to someone who was in a worse position than yourself.
Obituaries
RALPH WARWICK SKOIEN (at TGS 1942-44)
JOHN EDGAR (at TGS 1958-61)
Back row L to RThomas Kleeman B Architectural DesignRory Kuskie B Business/B JournalismFlynn Halfpenny B Commerce/ B EconomicsAlexander Civil B Arts / B ScienceMarshall Smith B Property EconomicsRichard Clift B Business ManagementNick Lahey B Business Management/B EconomicsJoshua de Veth B Arts / B Laws (Hons)
Front row L to RJai Lewis B CommerceJoshua Lee B Urban Development (Hons)Bryn Rogers B ScienceWilliam Wigan B Clinical Exercise PhysiologyAlexander Fessey B AgribusinessHarry Leerentveld B Exercise & Nutrition SciencesNeill (Tom) Wagner B Regional & Town PlanningReuben Lindsay B Sport and Exercise Science
AbsentSamuel Carruthers B Arts / B CommunicationLuke McGill B Communication
A NUMBER OF TGS OLD BOYS ARE CURRENTLY RESIDENT AT KINGS COLLEGE, UQ.
John Edgar, Back Row 3rd from the left
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Bruce was born in Toowoomba on 9 December 1930. His parents lived in Lindsay Street. Bruce attended East State School from 1936 to 1944 and went on to Toowoomba Grammar School from 1945 to 1948. In 1949 he joined the Toowoomba Foundry where he obtained an Engineering Cadetship. He stayed there until 1953.
In 1954 he went to Teachers’ Training College at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane as a mature student. He qualified as a teacher at the end of 1954 and went on to teach at Pialba from 1955 to 1957. Bruce applied for an English teacher’s position at Scotch
College in Perth and was successful. He taught there for 28 years, retiring in 1985.
Bruce married Judith Green on 20 December 1954 in Toowoomba. They had five children, two boys and three girls. It was a long and happy marriage. Bruce died on 24 September 2018 in Perth and will be missed by Judith, his family and many friends.
This obituary was submitted by Bruce’s lifelong friend, OB Alan Lloyd (1945-48) on behalf of Bruce’s wife Judith who supplied the information.
BRUCE ARCHIBALD McLAY (at TGS 1945-48)
BirthsScott Scheid (2000-02) and Jemma,
a son Jackson (Jack) Lance in April 2018
Dan Johnson (1993-97) and Petrina, twin daughters Harriet and Frankie in
August 2018 Aaron Scheid (1999-2003) and
Holly, a son Hunter Aaron in August 2018
Matthew Chambers (2002-06) and Harriet, a son Digby Richard in
September 2018
DeathsStuart Rees (1997-2001)
in March 2018
John Edgar (1958-61) in July 2018
Kenneth Flegler (1951-53) in August 2018
Melville (Mel) Martin (1952) in August 2018
Keith McLaren (1953-57) in August 2018
John Morwood (1976-80) in August 2018
Leonard Coombs (1970-72) in September 2018
Eean Thorne, OAM (1954-57) in October 2018
MarriagesClinton Broadbent (2003-05) and
Tiana Henderson in July 2018 Michael Bougoure (2004-05) and Samantha Davis in September 2018
A tribute to Tom Lyons (Senior Prefect 2009) now exists immediately to the left of where the boys run onto the Old Boys’ Memorial Oval.
A Tribute To Tom Lyons (Senior Prefect 2009)
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A dinner was held in mid July in Townsville for TGS Old Boys. Former Deputy Headmaster of Toowoomba Grammar School and now Principal of Townsville Grammar School Mr Tim Kelly was in attendance for the occasion. Other attendees included Bruce McNelley (1968-70); Richard Perkins (1963-66); Ron Daniel (1961-64); James Doyle (1972-76); Bill Alford (1973-74). The event was organised by Mr James Doyle. Apologies were received from the following Old Boys: John Cox (1971-75); Andrew Doyle (1972-73); Graeme Finlayson (1981-85); Richard Forster (1956-59); Don Murray (1970-74); Ben North (1991-95); Robert Pack (1958-61); Murray Shaw (1971-74); Graeme Smith (1976-77) and Timothy Strahorn (1994-98).
It was a great honour for Syd Gardner, TGS Old Boy (1947-50) when he was awarded Honorary Life Membership by TGSOBA President, Daniel Burrett (2001-08) at a TGS Sunshine Coast Old Boys’ luncheon at Caloundra on 8 September. Syd has worked tirelessly to keep Old Boys in touch, originally in his home town of Ingham and more recently on the Sunshine Coast.
Attending the Prime Cattle Dinner in May 2018 were Damian Gould (1989-90) from JBS, Adam (1996-98) and Brett (1998-2000) Hatton from Eidsvold who won the ribbon for a pen of steers, and Mark Wilson (1984-88) and his wife Belinda from Banana Station who won the ribbon for a pen of grainfed steers.
Old Boy NewsDo 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 2579Syd Gardner with Old Boy Mick Storrs
Judy Gillies, Mick Storrs and Jennifer Fordyce enjoying the luncheon
Old Boys' Association President Daniel Burrett with Syd Gardner
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Nufarm’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Peter O’Keeffe (1981-85) is excited that Nufarm, an agricultural chemical company, has announced an alliance with digital technology company, Farmers Edge. He said that digital agriculture and precision software would be new territory for the company which was better known for crop protection inputs.
Attending the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce’s June Business at Dusk evening were Kabel Dawes (1990-02) from Dawes Investigation, and Alistair Green (1994-98) from Focus HR. The evening was one of the monthly networking events which are about creating business links, showcasing chamber members and facilitating growth in the region.
Musician Keir Nuttall (1987-91) and his singer-songwriter wife Kate Miller-Heidke won the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Original Score in July 2018. It was awarded for their work on Muriel’s Wedding The Musical.
John Zupp (1945-46) was well-known for his signature dealership for Holden at Mt Gravatt and also for many of the quirky advertisements during his career. He grew up on the Darling Downs and his favourite subject at school was Mathematics. In 1948 he purchased a service station in Ipswich and operated a small car dealership on the adjoining lot. From these humble beginnings, Zupps was sold to Automotive Holdings Group in 2007 for $117 million as a chain of 32 franchises operating from 18 sites around Queensland, employing almost 800 staff and selling more than 18,000 vehicles a year. John Zupp was awarded an OAM in January 2006 for his services to the motor industry and charitable organisations. Now living on the Gold Coast, he chairs Zupp Property Group which holds
an expanding portfolio of office, industrial and retail assets.
Shaun Cox (1975-79) is the current Chair Designate of the Dumaresq-Barwon Border Rivers Commission. Interestingly, this position was held by another Old Boy, David Morwood (1946-49) in the 1990s.
Rob Delbridge (1982-85) and his family celebrated fifty years of trading as Toowoomba Saddlery in August 2018. The initial business was established in a garage behind his parents’ home in Taylor Street but today it is a multi-million dollar business including a factory and warehouse in McDougall Street, Glenvale. Rob is the managing director of the business.
Virtual Legal was established in 2013 when a need was realised for basic legal assistance to be available in regional areas. Shane Lep (1990-94) is one of the team who provide conveyancing, leasing, buying and selling of businesses and franchises, and drafting business agreements, contracts and policies.
Benny Pike (1968-70) represented Australia at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, at two Commonwealth Games and also numerous World Championships. He has just been inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, the first Queensland amateur boxer to achieve this honour. The award was given more to recognise his life outside the ring where he was a state and national coach, a commentator at both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and a sports presenter on local television.
Bruce McConnel (1994-98) came in at number 76 in The Chronicle’s Power 100 which recognises Toowoomba’s top influencers. He is the general manager of Food Leaders Australia and since coming to the
role in August 2017 he has focused on assisting the region’s agricultural sector to capitalise on market opportunities.
Other Old Boys who made the Power 100 list include Brad Fitzgibbons (1992-95), Mac Stirling (1970-73), John McDonald (1958-60), and Andrew Wielandt (1989-90).
The third generation of his family to be the town butcher in Quilpie, Cameron McConnell (1997-2001) is struggling to find fat sheep for slaughter in the drought conditions. He has had to bring his lamb in from Brisbane. The town has suffered from the lack of revenue that the usual shearing teams would bring to it as well.
A car that had to withdraw from the 1949 Australian Grand Prix at Leyburn in 1949, competed again at the Leyburn Sprints on the week-end of 18/19 August. It is owned by Colin Schiller (1976-80) from Cambooya. Organisers were thrilled as the old 1939 MG TB helps to maintain the traditional connection between the event and the 1949 grand prix.
Mel Martin (1952) will be remembered as one of Toowoomba’s most ardent tennis players/fans. Mel was honoured with life membership of Toowoomba Tennis Association and Newtown-Centrals Tennis Club for his voluntary work over forty years. Mel died unexpectedly on 5 August, aged 81. He was also the owner of the kitchen shop in Margaret Street, notoriously where people went to find “that something”, which Mel always seemed to be able to produce.
Two years ago the Queensland Government introduced a new management framework for ticks plaguing the cattle industry. However, AgForce Cattle Tick Committee Chairman, Justin Boshammer (1994-98) believes that
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little has been done to implement and enforce the changes. A case manager is needed to ensure outbreaks are cleaned up and support provided.
Giles Creedon (2003-11) is having two GAP years in the UK and has been playing cricket for Barnard Castle Cricket Club in County Durham, one of twelve teams playing in the Premier Division competition. Congratulations to Giles for attaining the honour of being top of the league bowling averages. Giles will undertake locum work as a physiotherapist in London over the winter before returning to Barnard Castle for another season. (Photo – Giles third from left in front row)
Hamish McIntyre (1982-86) obtained his interest in cotton when working on a St George farm during school holidays. Since then he has worked as a dryland agronomist in the Goondiwindi and Moree districts before managing a large-scale cotton irrigation development at Dirranbandi. Hamish has been on the board of Cotton Australia for seven years and was deputy chair for three years before taking over the role as chairman. He said that the future of Australia’s cotton industry looked positive and believes a change in land use in Australia’s north could expand its growing area.
Epic Private Journeys’ Brad Horn (1979-83) has raised funds for Yalari as he conquered the world’s highest peak. Brad has been a long-time supporter of Yalari and they were thrilled with his achievement.
Trading as Border Rivers Hay are Adam Cleeve (1984-88) from Texas, Tony Markey (1983-87) from Inglewood, Pieter Mayne (1979-83) from Bonshaw, and Andrew Moore (1981-85) from Texas. They started the business in June 2018 to keep a constant supply of hay into feedlots and dairy farms. All have water from the Dumaresq River but if further rain doesn’t eventuate, then this will be the last season they can irrigate.
On his two Taroom properties, Beaumont and Bentley Park, Charbray breeder Randall Ziesemer (1975-79) is achieving great results, selling steer progeny into the EU feeder market. They breed the best Charbrays possible which has paid off as feedlot buyers don’t hesitate to purchase their cattle sight unseen.
Grant Statton (1988-91) is FKG Group’s CEO of digital innovation and energy. Recently he spoke about the new FKG Group Toowoomba’s business precinct and how complementary businesses and operations would be located on their 160 hectare site which will be in close proximity to the inland rail, an international airport and the Toowoomba bypass.
During Carnival of Flowers week, John Rowe (1977-81) created a colourful animation of flowers and dancing gnomes which was projected onto the Russell Street façade of the Rowes building in Toowoomba’s CBD. He has been doing animatronics for thirty years and he enjoyed showing the carnival crowds his creations during the LIT Festival.
As part of The Chronicle’s Best Of series for 2018, Facebook readers were asked to nominate their favourite plumber and Craig Southey Plumbing came out on top. Jai Cavanough (2002-06) and Alex Eelkema (2010-14) are both
employed by the firm and obviously contributed to this great result.
Rhodes Scholar, Andreas Heger (1997-2001) has written his debut novel Cooktown. It is a tale of an ex-special forces soldier who is redeemed by an autistic teenage girl who blossoms as a footballer under his tutelage.
Donny Smith (1976-77) was a boarder from St George who grew up on a 50,000 hectare cattle and grain property. At school he excelled in cricket and tennis and won around thirty tournaments in his tennis career. However, after the Fancutt brothers started to dominate tennis, he switched to playing first grade cricket for Easts then Wynnum-Manly. In 1981 he faced Greg Chappell who was playing for Australia and touring New Zealand at the time but Greg persuaded officials to let him come back to play for Souths in the final. Donny scored 123 and Wynnum-Manly won the premiership. Harness racing now occupies his time and during the 2017-18 season he had six individual two-year-old starters.
Will Brown (2011-15) and his co-driver Anton de Pasquale drove for Erebus Motorsport in their Bathurst 1000 debut in October. After starting in third position on the grid, they wavered between 23rd and 11th spot until finally finishing in 24th position. Will said it was a great experience and good preparation for the Gold Coast 600.
Ross Plant (1971-73) and his daughter Gillian were at the recent Lost Trades Fair at Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba. Ross and his wife Barbara travel to the north-west of Queensland twice a year to collect horns from Texas Longhorn, Brahman and Hereford cattle which Ross and his daughter then craft into unique pieces including serving ware, knives, drinking vessels and jewellery.
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L-R: Harry Rogan (Year 11), Robert Coward (seated) (1943-1944), Matthew Rogan (2006-2012), Alexander Rogan (2003-2007), Cleave Rogan (1976-1980)
Old Boys who have visited TGS since August 2018
Coming Events 2018
James Maher 1991-95, Tokyo, Japan
Howard McDonald 2008-12, Dalby, QLD
Col Stark 1951-52, Jindalee, QLD
Vern Ezzy 1979-80, Toowoomba, QLD
Dan Johnson 1993-97, Dulacca, QLD
John Howell 1961-64, Forrestfield, WA
Steven Rafter 1981-85, St Kilda, VIC
Brad Edwards 1977-78, Googong, NSW
David Anderson 1964-66, East Toowoomba, QLD
Glen Plant 1962-64, Volcano, California, USA
Rudy Jager 1963-66, Curtin, ACT
Andrew Metcalfe 1972-76, Sutton, NSW
Clinton Broadbent (2003-05) married Tiana Henderson on 28 July 2018 at Gordon Country, Goomburra. Clinton is a qualified floor layer and currently runs his own company, CTB Flooring. Tiana is a Registered Nurse working in the Critical Care Ward of the Toowoomba Base Hospital.
All the groomsmen were TGS Old Boys. The bridal party consisted of (L-R) Carolyn Lowery, Simon Mobbs (2003-07), Nicole Detsimas, Grantley Broadbent (1998-02), Felicity Broadbent, Tiana Henderson, Clinton Broadbent (2003-05), Stephenie Haselam, Hayden Broadbent (2002-04), Michelle Mesner, Lachlan Rudd (2003-07) and Jack McKenzie (2001-07).
A photograph of all of the TGS Old Boys who attended the wedding was also taken.
Back Row (L-R): Grantley Broadbent (1998-02), Allister MacDonald (2003-07), Hayden Broadbent (2002-04), David Brett (2003-08), Will Brett (2006-10), Thomas O'Kane (2005-10), Clinton Broadbent (2003-05), Ed Murphy (1970-73), Scott Meurant (2003-07), William Broadbent (1970-72), Angus McAlpine (2002-10), Jared Dean (2002-07), Jack McKenzie (2001-07), Jake Schwerin (2005-09), Tom Rudd (2006-07)
Front Row (L-R): Jonson Schwerin (2003-07), Simon Mobbs (2003-07), Ashton Boully (2003-07), Mitchell Seis (2003-07), Lachlan Rudd (2003-07)
Thu, 1 Nov
Cadet March Out Parade, Old Boys; Memorial Oval, 9:00 -10:00am
Sun, 4 Nov
Cadets: Tri-Service Parade, Old Boys; Memorial Oval, 2:30 -6:00pm
Tue, 6 Nov
Parents and Friends’ Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon, Jacaranda Room, 11:30am
Wed, 7 Nov
Old Boys’ Association Committee End of Year Dinner and Management Committee Meeting
Fri, 9 Nov
Co-Curricular Awards Assembly, Assembly Hall, 1:00pm
Wed, 14 Nov
Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony, Empire Theatre, 4:30pm
Fri, 16 Nov
Year 12 Final Assembly, Assembly Hall, 9:00am
Sat, 17 Nov Year 12 Formal, 7:00pm
Fri, 23 Nov
Junior School Twilight Performance, Old Boys’ Memorial Oval and Terraces, 6:00-8:00pm
Wed, 28 Nov
Junior School Speech Day, Senior School Assembly Hall, 9:00am-10:20am
Parents and Friends’ Association – Drinks on the Lawn, Jacaranda Room and Bunya Room, 5:30-7:30pm
Mon, 3 Dec
TGS Past Mothers’ Group Luncheon, Jacaranda Room, 12:30pm
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TGURAC Dive Club Reunion 2018On the first weekend in September Old Boys from the TGS Dive Club descended once more on Hastings Point for a club reunion. TGURAC (Toowoomba Grammar Underwater Research and Adventure Club) was the brainchild of former TGS Biology Science teacher Mr Ted Brambleby.
The club started in 1971 and ran continuously until 1996 on his retirement. It provided a fantastic opportunity for boys to learn the science of Skin and SCUBA diving and opened their eyes to the mysteries beneath the waves. Throughout those 25 years, roughly 800 boys had donned mask, snorkel and flippers to discover the reefs and rock pools of the Tweed Coast.
SCUBA and Skin diving were also enjoyed at the Solomon Islands, on numerous boat expeditions around the Great Barrier Reef and on various islands of the southern Capricorn Bunker Group. There were also countless visits to Byron Bay, Hastings Point, Kirra Reef and Cook Island off Fingal, where students also
conducted advanced courses in SCUBA diving.Mr Brambleby now runs the Marine
Museum at the North Star Holiday Resort in Hastings Point and continues to engage and educate the next generation in his unique style. The TGURAC reunion kicked off in
the Marine Museum where a few Old Boys commented that “it was just like the Biology lab at school but on steroids!” The resort's function room had been set up with some fantastic photographs and memorabilia by
Holly Keys (nee Brambleby) and Phil Keys. During the night a number of Old Boys spanning three decades gave heartfelt tributes to Mr Brambleby and talked about their life-shaping experiences in the dive club and how many of the skills and lessons learnt
had shaped their lives and careers today.
It was an amazing weekend catching up with the crew to recall the adventures we all had 30+ years ago. Some even went for a commemorative snorkel on Sunday just like old times.
A commemorative hardcover book covering the history of the club with photographs and stories was also produced for the occasion. Details of how to purchase the book and other interesting information can be found on the TGURAC Dive Group Facebook page. Other get-togethers are planned and will be communicated via the
Facebook page, so if we missed you this time, please join the group to stay in the loop.
- by Robert Gratwick (1981-85) and Holly Keys
Displays at the TGURAC Dive Club Reunion
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126th annual TGS Army Cadet Unit
March OutOld Boys' Memorial Oval, Thursday, 1 November 2018
Reviewing Officer Lieutenant Colonel, Andrew Middleton Commanding Officer for the Army Helicopter School
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Please contact the Enrolments Office to discuss enrolling
your son or grandson at Toowoomba Grammar School
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