Grammar News Summer 2023

Of all of the events I have the opportunity to participate in throughout the year, without doubt, The Foundation Day Event in February where we welcome new Old Boy Fathers back when their boys commence at BGS and the Final Senior Assembly in November where we welcome our newest members into our wider Old Boy Community are both very special.

The Foundation Day event is a celebration of the 125 year connection between the School and Old Boys. We welcome back and acknowledge the new Old Boy Fathers who have, with their family, made the decision to provide the gift of a BGS education to a new generation. Over ten percent of the new students have an existing family connection to the School, a fantastic legacy and reflection of the strong connections between Old Boys and the School. We also take the opportunity to present Old Boy Medals to recognize outstanding service to the BGS and wider Community.

At the closing stages of the School year, I have the opportunity to speak to the Graduating Class of Seniors in the Forum and present to them their Old Boy Ties and Graduation packs before they head to the Great Hall for their last School Assembly. This final day "right of passage" is a very significant day for the Graduating Class, although I doubt they fully appreciate the significance of the day at the time. It is only upon reflection with mates many years down the track do you understand the indelible impact the friends, relationships, lessons and challenges have had on your pathway. To quote our school song:

This year was a special year for me personally as my youngest son graduated marking an end of an era for me and my association with the School as a parent. To speak to the graduating class, many of whom I have known since they were 5 years old, and to watch them progress through the School into the remarkable young men they have become is such an honour. The boys have not always achieved the success they had hoped for in their co-curricular pursuits, but for me the true measure has been the resilience they have shown, the humility and integrity and support for one another that I am most proud as a parent and an Old Boy. Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2023, celebrate the end of your BGS journey and the start of a new chapter as part of our Old Boy Community. You are now part of a wider group of 15,000 Old Boys located in every corner of the world, examining, challenging, mentoring and contributing to the wider community. Take the opportunity to be part of this amazing network.

Next year will be another busy year for Old Boy events. We already have our first OBA business breakfast locked in on 17 April, with award winning journalist, author and podcaster Hedley Thomas joining us to provide an insight into his amazing career including his controversial podcast "The Teachers Pet" for which he won a Gold Wakely. Our Business breakfasts are open to the whole Grammar Community so we look forward to you joining us.

For the Younger Old Boys we have a Creative Industries Professional Networking Night on 7 March. We have an expert panel of accomplished Old Boys in the Creative Industries including Andrew Little (President and CEO of DDB Group), Takeshi Takada (Founder and Director of Alt VFX), Rem Bruijn (Founder of Brainheart) and Max Hinton (Founder and Director of Content Lion). What a fantastic opportunity for Old Boys in advertising, brand development and digital marketing to build your strategic network, strengthen relationships, find mentors or mentees and learn from an expert panel about the challenges and opportunities in this expanding industry.

For those Old Boys Celebrating Milestone Reunions next year, mark the weekend of the 26 and 27 July in your diaries as we once again celebrate our "Back to BGS Weekend". Starting with the Sportsmans Lunch at the new Star Casino on Friday, followed by a day at Northgate on Saturday and Reunion Catch-ups on Saturday night. If you would like to assist in planning the Milestone reunions for your peer year please contact us at oba@brisbanegrammar.com.au.

As we wrap up 2023, I would like to thank Mr Micallef, the Board of Trustees and the BGS staff for their on-going support for the Old Boys Association and our various networking events. I would like to also thank the Old Boys and members of the wider BGS Community who donated their time to join our panels at the Business Breakfasts or provide mentoring through our Professional Networking evenings and who made these events so successful.

Finally, a massive thank you to my fellow Committee members both on the OBA Committee and also the Brisbane Grammarians Rowing Club Sub-Committee. There is an enormous amount of work that goes into planning and executing all of our events throughout the year as well as the administration and management of the Association and Sub-Committee.

Old Boys named: Cameron Feltham '86 (President). Creative Industries panel (Old Boys): Andrew Little (President/CEO DDB Group), Takeshi Takada (Alt VFX), Rem Bruijn (Brainheart), Max Hinton (Content Lion), leaving years not printed in source. Graduating Class of 2023 welcomed as newest Old Boys.