(Unsigned; editorial committee, 1941)
Lately the war has had a widespread and particular effect on the students of the Great Public Schools. The ever-increasing consciousness of war appears to have undermined the ambitions of our youth, leaving it stranded without a foundation for its position. There is a growing discontent and sloth among its members, not, as some people are inclined to think, because they are at "that certain age" and are subject to alternate periods of turmoil and lethargy, but because there is a feeling of frustration and stagnation slyly creeping into their otherwise healthy, active minds; and this is due to war-consciousness.
Let us put it in this way. Take the average student of sixteen or seventeen, who is leading a normal life at a public school. He takes part in sport and does his work — altogether, leading a happy existence. Suddenly comes war; but for a short time he experiences no appreciable change in his outlook. Then comes a doubt — why should he, approaching manhood, sit still and allow his fellow who has not been so fortunate as to receive any advanced education, to put his shoulder to the wheel alone? What is expected of him? A long career at the university, perhaps successful, perhaps not, to fit him for the arduous game of life? Or is he to discard the advantages he has so far gained and attend to the messages of the recruiting-placards? He is between the devil and the deep sea, not knowing which way to turn, rebuked by those in charge of his studies for slackness in his efforts, and with the certain knowledge that if he continues in his present course ignoring the war, he will despise himself for the rest of his life. The result is a mental listlessness, a "Come what may, I don't care" attitude. Gone is his dream of a beautiful future, all planned out, from the path of which he had not once strayed until the war.
However, the general opinion is that we should be more and more war-conscious, and such a large section of the community as the Public Schools can scarcely fail to be influenced by this demand. Yet people are forever trying to convince us that we are too young to take part in the crusade. Why, on one hand, do they instill into us a desire for preparedness, and then dash our spirits with the cold water of so-called reason? It is a most contradictory attitude, a most unsatisfactory state of affairs, and while it flourishes and burgeons, no definite contact can be established with either course.
So the point in question is: are we to be so conscious of the war that we do no work, or are we to do so much work that we become unconscious of the war? In other words, which of the two tasks that we are trying to do at the same time are we to discard, and which are we to keep on, without injuring our future, or the future of our country? In the present state of affairs, there can be but one answer to this question, and we have only to follow the example of our Old Boys to discover what that answer is.
(During 1940–41 the President was Dr. E. S. Meyers, with Vice-Presidents E. Griffith Oxley and Flying Officer G. Seaman.)
By J. G. Nowlan (Hon. Secretary), signed "(J.G.N.)"
It seems only the other day since we handed in our notes to the Editor of the Magazine, and now we are faced with another issue. The intervening few months witnessed a fair amount of activity, not only in connection with what is occupying most of our thoughts, namely, the war, but also as regards our own internal affairs.
A good many more or less important items came up for discussion at our Council meetings. Among them was the discontinuance of the Monthly Luncheons for the duration of the war, except in special cases — as, for instance, the visit to our city of some distinguished Old Boy whom we might like to welcome. Another was the decision that, in view of the serious nature of the times, it was not considered advisable to hold the Annual Ball. The Building Fund situation was much discussed and suggestions were made to be placed before the Annual Meeting. Dissatisfaction was expressed with the inaccurate and incomplete manner in which Great Public Schools sporting events were reported by the Press. Two more names were recorded as having been placed on the Distinguished Service Honour Board in the School Hall — the ex-Head Master, Mr. Stephenson, and Mr. A. J. Mason.
The question of establishing a suitable F. S. N. Bousfield Memorial evoked the suggestion by Mr. Carson-Cooling that eventually four stained-glass windows be erected at the sides of the dais in the School Hall to commemorate the first four Head Masters. Meantime it was decided to institute an Annual Prize for Latin in the Sixth Form, to be called the F. S. N. Bousfield Memorial Prize, and that, pending the establishment of a sufficient capital fund, a suitable amount be donated this year from the funds of the Association.
Edward Griffith Oxley, son of the late Henry J. Oxley and Mrs. Alice Oxley, and grandson of the late Rev. Edward Griffith (who arrived in Brisbane before Separation), was educated at private schools before attending the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School in 1889. After leaving school he joined his father, the late Henry J. Oxley (who for some years was Hon. Treasurer to the Trustees). In 1911 the firm of Henry J. Oxley & Son, Chartered Accountants (Aust.), was formed, and since the death of Mr. Oxley, Senr., in 1916, Mr. E. Griffith Oxley has carried on the name of the firm. The new President has taken a great interest in the School for over thirty years, and still plays with the Old Boys in the tennis match on Foundation Day. He is connected in an honorary capacity with many philanthropic and cultural societies in Brisbane.
The Forty-third Annual General Meeting of the Old Boys' Association was held this year. Those who attended included the President, Dr. E. S. Meyers, the Vice-Presidents, Mr. E. Griffith Oxley and Flying Officer G. Seaman, and the Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. G. Nowlan.
The President spoke in terms of deep regret of the recent death of "our former loved and esteemed Head Master, Mr. F. S. N. Bousfield, M.A., whose long years of service and connection with the School had earned for him innumerable friends, and whose memory would live long in the hearts of all Old Boys." At the Chairman's request the meeting rose and paid silent tribute to the memory of Frederic Sydney Newman Bousfield.
The President then proceeded to the special feature of the function — the presentation to Mr. A. J. Mason of a cheque, on behalf of Old Boys contributing from all over the world, in token of the high esteem and affection cherished for him. Mr. E. Griffith Oxley, one of the first pupils Mr. Mason had taught, said he could pay no higher tribute than to say of him what Mark Antony said of Caesar: "His life was gentle.. He was a man." Mr. George Seaman, speaking for a younger generation, extolled "the 'Mr. Chips' of the Grammar School," and Mr. Harrison Bryan, representing the most recent generation, added his appreciation. After "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," Mr. Mason rose to thank the meeting, recalling that he was not only the oldest master on the School Staff but, he believed, the oldest member of the Association present, having attended the inaugural meeting of the Association in 1898.
In the elections that followed, Dr. E. S. Meyers proposed Mr. E. Griffith Oxley for President, and Mr. Oxley was elected by acclamation. Mr. Oxley named Dr. E. R. Row as new Vice-President; Dr. E. S. Meyers continued as second Vice-President. Mr. J. G. Nowlan was re-elected Hon. Secretary, Mr. F. R. C. Smith Assistant Hon. Secretary (for the fourth year in succession), and Messrs. T. R. Groom and B. J. Sanderson Hon. Auditors.
(The issue also carried "Successes and Distinctions Won by Old Boys", a "Vale" notice, and the war honour pages "Lecti Juvenes, Fortissima Corda" recording Old Boys on active service — not reproduced here.)
(Wartime — several entries record Old Boys killed in action or on service.)
Note on the School Captain: The 1941 magazine has no separate "School Captain's report". The senior prefect (first-named in the School Prefects list, and Captain of Football) was G. F. Osborne. The Editorial — an unsigned wartime piece by the editorial committee — is reproduced below as the senior-school voice of the year.
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.
Draft site for committee review. Spot an error or hold a missing piece? Tell the OBA