Grammar News April 2024

A busy social calendar has seen lots of opportunities for Old Boys to catch up and reconnect in the first part of the year. In February we welcomed 32 new Old Boy Fathers to the 200 current Old Boys who have a son currently attending BGS and the 400 Old Boys who currently coach, teach or mentor at the School. At our Foundation Day Celebration, we presented the new fathers with their Old Boy Caps, personally embroidered with their peer year, to wear whilst watching their son's co-curricular events. At this year's Foundation Day Ceremony, we also presented the Old Boy Medal to Cameron McLeod for Services to both the School and Old Boy Communities. It is a great reminder of the important part that many Old Boys play in the wider BGS Community from current teaching staff, coaching sporting teams, tutoring current students and volunteering on the many sub-committees.

We continue to host our BGS Community Business Breakfast at The Grove Rooftop. At our recent breakfast in April we welcomed award winning journalist and past parent Hedley Thomas to share some insight into the world of investigative journalism and his successful podcast and book "The Teachers Pet". It was fantastic to see so many of the wider school community enjoying the opportunity to hear from and speak to Hedley.

In a delightful addition to our calendar, we organized our Inaugural Grapes and Grazier Lunch at the Lord Alfred Hotel. The event showcased mouth-watering Wagyu Tomahawk steaks and Rump caps, perfectly complemented by a selection of exquisite Torbreck wines. We extend our sincere gratitude to Andrew Shearer-Smith '87 and Max Cochrane '17 from Smithfield Cattle Co for their generous support of this event, as well as to OBA Committee Member Oscar Higgins '15 for his exceptional organization. It was particularly heartening to see a significant turnout of young Old Boys, including recent graduates from the class of 2023. With such a promising start, we anticipate that this event will only grow in popularity, becoming a cherished fixture on the BGS Community Calendar.

This year, we are again hosting a Back to BGS Reunion Weekend on 26 and 27 July. Friday will feature a Sportsmans Lunch at Howard Smith Wharves, hosted by Greg "Marto" Martin '80 with his special guests. On Saturday we invite all Old Boys and their families to join the School Community at the Northgate Playing Fields to cheer on our First XV as they take on Gregory Terrace. A designated Old Boys area will be provided with refreshments available after the game. Links are available in the events section of the BGS website. If you have a reunion this year, please ensure your details are up to date with the School.

Finally, after a number of years, the OBA Committee has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Association and the School. This MOU formalizes the recent practice that all graduates automatically become Life members of the Association and has now also clarified matters around data sharing and privacy regulations. The School will be in touch with all Old Boys to request consent for their information to be shared with the OBA for invitation to events and other matters relating to the Old Boy Community. We strongly encourage all Old Boys to scan the QR Code below and update their information to ensure they remain engaged with and part of our active Old Boy Community.

Cameron Feltham '86 President, Brisbane Grammar School Old Boy Association

Old Boys named: Cameron Feltham '86 (President). Old Boy Medal: Cameron McLeod ['88]. Grapes & Grazier (inaugural): Andrew Shearer-Smith '87 and Max Cochrane '17 (Smithfield Cattle Co); organiser Oscar Higgins '15. Sportsman's Lunch: host Greg "Marto" Martin '80. Governance: OBA, School MOU signed (auto Life membership for all graduates; data-sharing/privacy framework).