For the School, it has been a year of change, with material improvements taking pride of place. The grounds have been a hive of activity, with the painting workmen everywhere; the most noticeable result is the New Building. The colour scheme is outstanding, and a welcome departure from the usual greys and browns. Using his imagination, the architect has produced some very pleasing and extremely effective combinations of colours. The exterior of the New Building is eye-catching with its shades of orange and yellow, and the rooms inside exhibit colours of an almost bewildering diversity. They are painted in green and white, turquoise and orange, mushroom pink and blue.
This painting has had its effect on everyone who has come in contact with it, especially the boys. Some have even been known to wash their hands before coming into the room, and now enter by the door instead of clambering over the painted window-sill — particularly on Mondays. Then the walls show an absence of autographs, and perhaps this, more than anything else, proves how well pupils have reacted to the changed atmosphere.
However, the New Building is not alone in receiving attention; much work has been done on other School buildings. It is doubtful if the white ants will ever recover from the shock and frustration of blunting their teeth on the new stucco-work of the front School verandahs. The Hall, too, is undergoing renovation. During the past few months, pupils have eagerly watched the swimming pool take shape. This added facility will assist in regaining the School's prestige in swimming sports.
Apparently, everything is changing but the boys themselves. There are rumours of a change in uniform. Although details have not yet been completed, pupils in the near future may be resplendent with new hat bands, light blue shirts with collars, and even ties.
There have been great changes during the year, and not for some time has the Grammar School looked so attractive. The appearance and spirit of the School have alike undergone a remarkable transformation. Dior is not the only one; we, too, have our New Look.
"During the past two or three years, the interest taken in the School not only by Old Boys, but the public in general is something that is very pleasing to those who have a personal interest in the School. The splendid spirit of co-operation which exists between the Board of Trustees, the Headmaster and staff and the Council of the Old Boys' Association can only lead to even greater good. The very great improvements which have taken place are merely a reflection of public interest and appreciation.
The completion of the War Memorial Swimming Pool sees the culmination of a very strenuous effort spread over many years, and its opening and dedication in November will not only fill a long-felt want of the School, but will be some indication that service and sacrifice are manly qualities which can be acquired at the School.
The continued happy relationship with the Old Girls' Association has, I believe, had a strengthening effect on both bodies. The formation of the Rostrum Club is further proof that your Council is endeavouring to organise the many and varied interests of Old Boys within the framework of the Association. I believe that the foundation has now been laid for a very strong and virile organisation and we have no doubt regarding the future. The work of the General Secretary, Mr. Vivian Burris, is an example of outstanding devotion to the Association and the School."
The new President of the O.B.A., H. R. Marshall, entered the B.G.S. in 1924. He is well known in commercial circles in Brisbane, being a member of leading Accounting, Cost Accounting, Secretarial and Management Institutes, and is a Director of Players Sportswear and associated companies. Mr. Marshall has contributed much to the development of interest in public speaking in Queensland: he is a Past President of the O.B.A. Debating Club and of the Queensland Debating Association, a Critic of the O.B.A. Speakers' Luncheon Club (Rostrum Club No. 12) and a member of the Queensland Dais of the Australian Rostrum. His brother, K. J. Marshall (entered 1936), is associated with the A.M.P. Society.
Old Boys' Association (Founded 1898).
Subscription — Annual: 10/-, due 1st July. Boys joining immediately on leaving school, 2/6 to 30th June. Life Membership: £10. Badge: 5/6. Magazine: 3/6 per copy.
The 56th Annual General Meeting was held in the School Gymnasium on Tuesday evening, 28th September 1954. The President, Mr. Clive Harburg, was in the chair, supported by Vice-Presidents J. G. Felgate and H. R. Marshall. The Headmaster, Mr. A. E. McLucas, addressed the meeting on the achievements and work of the School, and Mr. G. Seaman on the work of the Board of Trustees. Colonel Harris reviewed the result of the recent Grammar Fun Fair. Luncheon to Mr. A. J. Mason: on 30th September the beloved Mr. A. J. Mason, B.A., was honoured by a luncheon at the Queensland Masonic Club to mark his ninetieth birthday, presided over by the newly elected President, Mr. H. R. ("Bert") Marshall.
Reginald Heber Roe Scholarship — Founded by the O.B.A. in memory of R. H. Roe, M.A., Headmaster of the School 1876–1909.
1954 Roe Scholarship: Tom Baxter, who came to the School in January 1950 and left in December 1953. Represented the School in the First XV for three years (Captain in his last year), with Colours and Honour Caps 1952–53; member of the Q.G.P.S. XV 1953; Cadet Pilot Officer and Captain of the School in 1953. Entered the University of Queensland in March 1954 for Engineering.
J. G. Nowlan Bursary — to the boy entering the School with the highest pass in the State Scholarship Examination who receives no other assistance than the State Scholarship subsidy; value £10 per annum, tenable two years.
1954 Nowlan Bursary: Kenneth Davidson (K. B. Davidson), who obtained a pass of 88 per cent in the 1953 State Scholarship.
University Scholars & Fellows, 1954 (photo caption): D. Lalji (Mason Scholar), B. J. Phillips (Open Scholar), Tom Baxter (Roe Bursary), J. G. Steele (Open Scholar), R. J. Paten (Mason Scholar).
O.B.A. Prizes (1953 Speech Night) — Essay: Senior, B. S. Smith; Junior, B. J. Feenaghty.
They are not reproduced in this transcript.
Source: The Brisbane Grammar School Magazine, November 1954. Notation: Bracketed "(year)" after a name = year of ENTRY to the School. School Captain 1954: S. Corone (Stanley George Corone; named School Captain from 4 October 1954). Headmaster: A. E. McLucas, M.A., B.Ed. Dux of the School 1953 (Lilley Gold Medal): A. W. Webb.
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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