As Mr. Roe determined, much to the regret of the School, to resign his position as Headmaster, in order to take the post of Director of Education and Inspector-General of Schools for the State of Queensland, his opening speech last quarter had a special significance. In the course of his speech he recalled to mind the sad events of the previous quarter, notably the loss of one of our school-fellows, which he said would remain indelibly fixed on the minds of all. He also remarked upon the spirit of industry that had prevailed, and he hoped it would continue. As the quarter was the 132nd he had witnessed as Headmaster, and was to be the last, he hoped that it would be made a "golden one" for him, so as to leave with him pleasant memories of his last quarter at the School.
Mr. Bousfield, who, for upwards of three years, has been the popular School-house Master, has succeeded to the position of Headmaster of the School in Mr. Roe's place, and his appointment was received with great satisfaction throughout the School.
(The April 1909 Editorial had opened the year with the Head Master's customary address to over 100 new boys, and celebrated the Sydney Senior successes of Snow and Rice and the award of a Rhodes Scholarship to the old comrade Mr. Len Brown.)
The President of the Old Boys' Association in 1908–09 / 1909–10 was Mr. P. J. O'Shea; the Hon. Secretary was Mr. A. T. Ellis. The Association continued its Foundation Day fixtures (the B.G.S. v. Old Boys cricket match) and its support of the School.
Old Boys' Association (Founded 1 June 1898).
Having received the appointment of Inspector-General and Director of Education in the Department of Public Instruction, Queensland, Mr. Roe has resigned the position which he has held here for the last 33 years. Although we cannot but feel the keenest regret at having to part with our Headmaster, whom masters and boys alike have learnt to love and admire, we cheerfully recognise the fact that the loss to our School is the gain to Queensland education generally.
No award. The Reginald Heber Roe Memorial Bursary had not yet been founded (first award 1933) — though its eventual namesake, R. H. Roe, retired as Head Master this very year.
The 1909 issues carry Old Boys' registers; not reproduced here.
Source: The Brisbane Grammar School Magazine, April, August and November 1909 (three termly issues, combined). The year R. H. Roe retired as Head Master (1876–1909) and F. S. N. Bousfield succeeded him. Notation: Bracketed "(year)" = year of ENTRY. (No R. H. Roe Bursary before 1933.) School Captain 1909: no distinct "Captain of the School" was printed; the football (representative team) captain was N. A. Lloyd. Head Master: R. H. Roe, M.A. (resigned 1909) → F. S. N. Bousfield, M.A.
In this era, an Old Boy's year designation was the year he entered Grammar; the convention today is the year he finished. A boy who started in 1993 and finished in 1997 was (93) but is now '97.
Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys' Association · Old Boys History. Part of the OBA Knowledge Project.
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