The 1949 School Magazine

Whether by mutual agreement or by decree we do not know, but school magazine editors seem to take it upon themselves to deplore the state of the international situation, to criticise the educational system, or to censure the waywardness of modern youth. Although we agree that constructive criticism is both right and needful, we do not altogether appreciate the critical faculty.

It seems to us, as indeed it has to many others, that we miss much that is good and beautiful and worthwhile and praiseworthy because we are so busy criticising that which we feel merits our censure. Certainly, we can find much worthy of destruction, but we seem bent on destroying what is bad instead of cultivating what is good. Yet it is possible to run to the other extreme and fail to see the evil of impracticable idealism.

Much sentiment has, of late, been expressed concerning the glorious past and traditions of the School. Indubitably, it has a noble record. We are proud to identify as Old Boys many famous men; and by plaques and Honour Boards we endeavour to keep fresh the memory of those who have gone before, in a glorious past; but what of the present and of the future! We cannot idealise the past and neglect the evils of the present. We cannot trust only to school traditions to maintain our worthy record.

Youth does not look to the morals of the past for instruction, but to the future for inspiration. What then of the future? The past cannot be undone, but we can build and plan for the future. Indeed we must, and that wisely and well, for we sincerely believe that the men — and women — we turn out of our public schools, are going to decide the future of this, our country.

Our task then is not to school youth in the traditions of the past only, but in their responsibilities and obligations towards the future. Let us not be unmindful of it, but let us earnestly seek to discharge it as worthy members of a great institution.

A new Honour Board bearing the names of the 2,290 Old Boys who served in World War II was unveiled on Foundation Day by the Governor, Sir John Lavarack; Mr. H. V. Byth, M.A., left the staff for the Brisbane Boys' College, and Mr. S. G. Kennedy, M.Sc., was appointed Second Master.

The 1948–49 President was Dr. Konrad Hirschfeld, who chaired the September 1949 Annual General Meeting. At that meeting the OBA marked the 50th anniversary of its inauguration (Trustee and one-time President George Seaman, B.A., proposing the toast to "The Old Boys' Association"). Dr. Hirschfeld noted that, lacking the denominational support enjoyed by some other Brisbane schools, the Brisbane Grammar School "looks to its Old Boys' Association to supplement the efforts of the Trustees, the Headmaster and the staff towards improvements in the facilities and environment in keeping with its traditions and standing."

The meeting then elected Commander Norman S. Pixley, M.B.E., V.R.D., R.A.N.R. as President for 1949–50. On installation he said he "felt deeply honoured by being chosen as President of the Old Boys' Association of a great school," and recalled that the Royal College of Surgeons of Australia had held its Annual Meeting in the School Hall earlier in the year, presided over by the Governor (an Old Boy).