Respect is the essence of loyalty, and loyalty of school spirit. Where respect is lacking, there can be no loyalty, no school spirit — and without these a school cannot hope to be a living community. There must be respect towards the school itself, towards its traditions, its achievements, and its principles; there must be respect for its staff, and for the boys themselves. It is the responsibility of every member of the school to see that the school, and all it represents, is respected in this manner.
While it is true that positions of leadership demand a certain respect, it is also true that those who are leaders must earn and be worthy of that respect. This is something that Sixth Formers learn; for they are the leaders of the students of the school, not only in intellectual achievement and sport, but also in the various societies, and in manners and the respect shown to authority and the traditions of the school.
On the part of Third Formers, their duty lies in acknowledging this leadership duly and in being obedient to all legitimate authority. They do not demand rights which they do not possess, but learn their duties as responsible leaders as the years at the school progress.
The Sixth Formers, in shouldering their responsibilities in these various spheres, manfully and courteously, can earn that respect which is due to the leaders in any society; thus they win the respect of the whole school, and the example they set and the leadership they give are a powerful force in perpetuating the fine traditions of the school.
Now it is when there is an harmonious interaction of responsibility and respect within the school, that it becomes a living community which demands the loyalty of each one who comes in contact with it. The loyalty in turn fosters a worthwhile school spirit.
— H.H.M. / J.K.A. (Editorial unsigned by office; the magazine's Sub-Editor was Mr. H. H. Messer.)
Lawrence Gordon Miles
At the Association's Annual General Meeting on 14th September, the Headmaster gave his yearly review of progress in School activities. One of the outstanding impressions gained from this review was that of all-round prowess in a considerable section of the student body.
While there have certainly been years past in which the School has won a greater number of sporting premierships or achieved a higher number of open scholarships, seldom can any Queensland public school have boasted a finer crop of all-rounders than "Grammar" now possesses. If we agree that the principal task of our Great Public Schools is to equip young men as fully as possible for the business of adult living, then B.G.S. is surely fulfilling its destiny in a manner deserving the approval and acclaim of all Old Boys.
An important step forward in School affairs has been the provision of an electronic organ for the stage of the Great Hall. The uses of such a versatile instrument are many and varied — but not the least important is to provide good music, both religious and secular, for assemblies and solemn occasions. We hope we may have an opportunity to enjoy its music at our next Foundation Day ceremonies on 25th February.
Another matter comes to mind. A School can be judged by most citizens only on the appearance and behaviour of its uniformed members when they mingle with the world outside. Surely at no time past — certainly not in my day — has the standard of dress been as high as it is now. When a high standard of appearance is coupled with an equal standard of behaviour in streets and public transport, the combination cannot but have a beneficial effect upon the student body and the community as a whole.
What is our function as Old Boys in all this? True, we can send our sons to the "old School". We can come along to reunions, and exchange reminiscences with former classmates. We can go to occasional sporting events and, if we haven't grown too staid, give a cheer or two in the right place. But is this enough to justify our existence as an Association? Many members probably think yes; others, a few at least, undoubtedly no.
Two means of potential service which were mentioned at the Annual General Meeting were (i) offering as coaches to some of the sporting teams, and (ii) giving more freely than has been customary in the past, to provide some worthwhile amenities for the School.
In the first category, I am happy to acknowledge that some of the younger Old Boys have done excellent work in coaching School crews with results which were truly outstanding at the last "Head of the River". Some of the other sports, such as athletics and cricket, have not attracted similar support. If you can spare a few hours a week to help in such a worthy cause, I hope you will not hesitate to contact the Headmaster and offer your services.
On the score of financial assistance, I shall here make mention of but one project. The School organ, to which I have previously referred, was made possible by a magnificent gift of money from the Parents and Friends' Association which met approximately half the cost. That Association is committed to find the remainder within a limited time. Any contribution that any Old Boy can make to the P.F.A. for this purpose will, I am sure, be thankfully received and faithfully applied.
These are but two avenues for service by Old Boys to their School. I certainly commend them to all readers who feel they do have some responsibility in the matter — some debt which they owe to posterity.
— L. G. MILES.
LAWRENCE GORDON MILES, born at Ravenswood, N.Q., in 1909, was at the B.G.S. from 1922 to 1926 and in 1925 and 1926 was Editor of the School Magazine.
Winner of an Open Scholarship to the University of Queensland, he entered the Faculty of Agriculture in 1927, the first year of this Faculty's establishment. In 1931 he graduated B.Sc.Agr., with First-Class Honours.
Having been awarded a Travelling Scholarship in Plant-Breeding, he continued his studies in the U.S.A. and in Europe. Most of this time was spent at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., of which he became in 1934 a Doctor of Philosophy.
Returning home, he served in North Queensland and in Central Queensland as Plant-Breeder in the Department of Agriculture and Stock up till 1948, when he was transferred to Head Office, Brisbane. Later he became Assistant Director of Agriculture and in 1959, Director.
In plant-breeding his main achievements were the development of leading varieties of grain sorghum and cotton, as well as guiding programmes with other Queensland crops.
In 1935 he helped to found in Queensland the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, of which he was Queensland President in 1935.
Outside his own work and the Old Boys' Association his interests include tennis and cricket, fishing when he gets the chance (North Coast, please) and good music. At present he holds office in the "Nil Sine Labore" Masonic Lodge.
During his year as Vice-President of the O.B.A. he has worked hard, evidencing great keenness and enthusiasm for the welfare of the B.G.S. With all his excellent qualities as well as his friendliness and keen sense of humour, we look forward with optimism to his year as President.
Old Boys' Association (Founded 1898).
Subscription — Annual: 15/-, due in advance on 1st July. Boys who join immediately on leaving school, 5/- to the 30th June. Life Membership: £15. Badge: 5/- (Large), 4/- (Small).
Dates to Note: Saturday, 25th February 1961 — Foundation Day Celebrations at the School. Sunday, 26th February 1961 — Old Boys' Service at St. John's Cathedral, 11 a.m.
This year's A.G.M. was unique in that it opened in a way never previously known in the history of the School. The meeting, held in the Great Hall on the evening of September 14th, was preceded by a delightful explanatory recital given by Mr. J. H. Broughton, of the School Teaching Staff, on the new Compton electronic organ, recently installed through the generosity of the Parents and Friends' Association.
At the beginning of the meeting itself those present stood for one minute's silence as a tribute to those Old Boys who had passed on during the preceding 12 months. In his opening remarks the retiring President praised the work of the Headmaster and of all those connected with the School, who have contributed to its present high standards of achievement. The President commended in particular the Headmaster's firmness in maintaining a good tone in the School.
The Annual Report and Statement of Accounts were adopted after an interesting discussion. The election of officers resulted as shown on the Title Page of the Old Boys' Section of this Magazine. An interesting talk on School activities was given by the Headmaster, Mr. H. F. Newell, himself an Old Boy, Dux of the School in 1925, and an ex-officio member of the O.B.A. Council.
This year's Foundation Day (Saturday, 27th February) was made unique by His Excellency the Governor, Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith, K.C.V.O., D.S.O., unveiling a plaque in the Great Hall erected by the Trustees in memory of the late Sir John Lavarack, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., C.deG. (entered the School 1899; died 4th December 1957). Special guests included Lady May Abel Smith, the widow of the late Sir John Lavarack, and their son, Mr. Peter Lavarack. A portrait, presented to the School by Lady Lavarack, was also unveiled in the War Memorial Library. Sir John reached the highest army rank in the Permanent Army and in two World Wars before becoming Governor of Queensland — the first Queenslander to hold that high office — and he maintained his membership of the Old Boys' Association throughout.
Reginald Heber Roe Scholarship — Founded by the O.B.A. in memory of H. H. Roe, M.A., Headmaster of the School 1876–1909, to be awarded annually to the boy proceeding from the School to the University who shall have been most distinguished for scholastic attainments, force of character, and proficiency in the outdoor sports of the School.
1960 Roe Scholarship: Melvyn Keith Ward, son of Norman G. Ward (19) and brother of J. P. Ward (51); he has started on the Engineering Course at the University of Queensland.
J. G. Nowlan Bursary — Founded by the O.B.A., to be awarded to the boy entering the School with the highest pass in the State Scholarship Examination and who does not receive any other assistance than the State Scholarship subsidy; tenable for two years, subject to a satisfactory report from the Headmaster at the completion of the first year.
1960 Nowlan Bursary: L. W. Hirst, brother of G. H. L. Hirst (56).
(For context, the Headmaster's Annual Report separately recorded bursaries awarded on Scholarship results to boys entering the School: Trustees' Scholarships — K. C. Harrison, J. D. Lincoln and J. T. Turnbull; Joseph Evans Memorial Bursary — P. Willadsen; J. G. Nowlan Bursary — L. W. Hirst; a Cobb Bursary — M. Iliff.)
O.B.A. Prizes presented at last year's Speech Night — Essay: Senior, B. W. Peden; Junior, M. J. Thomsett.
Most Old Boys will have noticed that the Founder of the Brisbane C.E.G.S. ("Churchie"), Canon W. P. F. Morris, M.A., O.B.E., passed away in May 1960, in his 82nd year. At the funeral service, held in the C.E.G.S. Chapel, the B.G.S. was represented by Mr. J. E. England (Chairman of Trustees) and the Headmaster, Mr. H. F. Newell, both Old Boys of the B.G.S., with Dr. F. R. Vincent (at that time President of the O.B.A.) among those present.
The 1960 issue carries an Old Boys' "Personal Column" and Births / Marriages / Deaths registers.
They are not reproduced in this transcript.
Source: The Brisbane Grammar School Magazine, December 1960. Notation: Bracketed "(year)" after a name = year of ENTRY to the School (the magazine's stated convention for this era). School Captain 1960: David M. Little (son of W. A. Little, who entered B.G.S. in 1911). Dux of the School 1960 and Lilley Gold Medallist: H. H. Messer.
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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