We hinted in our last number that a radical change in size and arrangement might be expected in this November issue of the Magazine. We regret that material difficulties have made this impossible. As an earnest of more sweeping changes in our next issue, we have altered our cover design. The cover you now see was designed and drawn by I. T. Sinnamon of Form VIa. It has earned him a prize offered by Mrs. Vivian Burris for the best cover design submitted by a member of the School. It is not our intention, however, to retain this design in aeternum; but, if possible, we shall have a different cover for every issue. School artists are invited to submit drawings for the June issue of next year.
These innovations are not being introduced merely for the sake of innovating. It is hoped that the larger Magazine of next year will do something to replace "The School Window," which, until it lapsed a couple of years ago, provided so fine a medium for our self-expression.
At the same time we shall endeavour to maintain the high standard of accuracy set by the Magazine in reporting the activities of the School and its Old Boys for over half a century. Here it is fitting to pay tribute to Mr. A. J. Mason, who, as business manager and a great deal more, has guided the Magazine during most of its life. Indeed, the Magazine has known only three business managers — Mr. W. D. Campbell from 1898 (the year the Magazine was founded) until 1899; Mr. T. J. K. Carson, from 1899 to August 1903, when Mr. A. J. Mason took over. Under his management the Magazine has always been a faithful record of School events and achievements, and the fifty-four bound volumes in the Headmaster's study are a monument to his patience, industry and his devotion to the School.
Subscription — Annual: 10/-, due in advance on 1st July. Boys who join immediately on leaving school, 2/6 to the 30th June. Life Membership: £10. Badge: 5/6, obtainable only from the Secretary.
By Vivian Burris (General Secretary)
The time has come once more for recording briefly our doings, but it is such a comparatively short period since the issue of the Annual Report — wherein our activities were fully reported — that little remains to be added.
That the difficult times we are passing through should leave their mark on all such institutions as ours is only to be expected. Nevertheless, we continue to carry on with a minimum of success, but it is imperative that we stand shoulder to shoulder, thus emphasising the value of good fellowship on which principle associations such as ours exist.
A glance at the personnel of those who are quietly but surely doing their work in public life will show how strongly the Old School is represented and how widespread and firm is the grasp of our Association, through its members. In an age when the old principle "Union is strength" has been worked to its fullest limits and at times abused, we might pause and ask ourselves whether we as an Association or individuals are turning our strength to our plain object — to further the welfare and interests of the School in the community.
The high traditions that are behind us and the healthy ambition to emulate and surpass those who have shown us the way will, we hope, spur us on to do all that our past history demands. New members are being added to the roll of the Association, but at a rate that is far from satisfactory, considering the personal mail approach that is made by the General Secretary. Finally, let us repeat what we have often said — and it should not need saying: every Old Boy of the B.G.S. should, as a matter of course, become a member of the Association.
Before concluding I should like to thank members for their continued support and to express my gratitude for the help and advice afforded me by Officers of the Association, Trustees and Staff of the School.
Nil Sine Labore.
The 53rd Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday, 30th August, in the Assembly Hall of the Brisbane Grammar School at 7.45 p.m. His Excellency, Lieut.-General Sir John Lavarack, accompanied by Lieut.-Commander J. Tucker, A.D.C., was received by Mr. F. J. Morgan and Office-Bearers. The President (Mr. F. J. Morgan) was in the chair, supported by Commander N. S. Pixley and Dr. S. A. Trout. There were present 50 members, and apologies were received from Messrs. H. R. Pigott, Dr. Konrad Hirschfeld, Messrs. G. Seaman, P. G. Seaman, A. E. Webb, N. H. Traves, A. S. L. Hay, W. W. Thomson, R. G. Jackson, Dr. J. B. Cribb, Dr. E. P. Holland.
Proceedings were opened with the National Anthem. In a brief opening address Mr. Morgan expressed pleasure at the presence of our distinguished Old Boy, Sir John Lavarack. The Annual Report having been circulated to all members was taken as read, along with the Accounts. He remarked that though our accounts did not disclose an excellent financial position, the year nevertheless was a successful one. He made an appeal to all Old Boys to take a more active part in the Association — the future of our great School depended on their interest. Messrs. C. A. Drinkall, C. Bevan, G. T. Donoghue and Col. H. C. Harris spoke on the Report, which was then adopted unanimously.
Election of officers followed, Mr. Morgan proposing as President for the coming year Dr. S. A. Trout, who was duly elected. Mr. F. J. Morgan, according to Rule 5, becomes Senior Vice-President, and Mr. H. R. Pigott, whose loyal and efficient service as Headmaster entitled him to honourable recognition by the Association, was unanimously elected as the new Vice-President. Messrs. Vivian Burris, O. C. H. Smith and K. A. Lemon were re-elected as General Secretary, Treasurer and Magazine Secretary respectively. The retiring members of the Council — Messrs. H. K. Batley, H. Gehrmann, B. P. Seale, N. H. Traves, Dr. Konrad Hirschfeld, Col. H. C. Harris — were re-elected. As Honorary Auditor, Mr. Wilfred Betts was re-appointed. The Acting Headmaster, Mr. S. G. Kennedy, was invited by Dr. Trout to address the meeting in the absence of the Headmaster. Light refreshments were then provided through the kind assistance of the Parents' Committee.
Despite our appeal the progress of the J. G. Nowlan Bursary Fund is most disappointing and generally unsatisfactory. This Fund requires the wholehearted assistance and practical co-operation of each and every one of us. It is not enough to have contributed to the Fund according to one's financial ability; we must one and all use our very best efforts to assist towards the attainment of our goal by promoting general interest in the Fund. The Treasurer is Mr. O. C. H. Smith, Gorban Street, Holland Park, Brisbane, who will be pleased to receive your contribution.
The new President of the O.B.A., S. A. Trout, M.Sc., Ph.D. (16), has had a distinguished record both at the B.G.S. and in later years. In 1919 and 1920 he was a member of the First XI; in 1919, 1920 and 1921 he played with the First XV; in 1921 he tied for the title of Champion Athlete. In 1920 he was Editor of the B.G.S. Magazine, and in the same year qualified for a University Scholarship. He is Director of Horticulture in the Department of Agriculture and Stock, and has a son attending the School at the present time.
Obituary notes followed in the scan for: K. F. C. Brunnich (02), D. C. C. Crombie (1889), C. B. Darvall (1894), D. McLennan (48), B. C. Penton (18), R. M. Smith (15), and S. G. Stewart (32).
Note on the School Captain: The 1951 magazine has no separate "School Captain's report". The Captain of the School was R. R. Cooper (who wrote the Football notes, signed "R.R.C."). The Editorial was written by the magazine editor, K. E. Wells, and concerns the Magazine itself; it is reproduced below as the senior-boy equivalent.
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