The relentless advancement of man continues to accelerate, and space with evolution is the development in education. More and more High Schools now mean education for everyone, and some now venture to say that the Greater Public Schools are things of the past, having no place in the modern, highly competitive world.
How wrong are these people! Examination results confirm that the high standard of education at our schools is being maintained in spite of the increasingly strong competition from the new High Schools, while the number of records broken at G.P.S. sports meetings, together with the spirited inter-school rivalry among the Greater Public Schools in all sports, show that we have not lagged behind in sport.
The School has a great deal to offer all of its members, be they in Third Form or Sixth Form, but we must realise that, in school life as in the world outside, we cannot expect something for nothing. We can derive from the school only as much as we put in, and so the part that we play in school life must not be a passive one. If we give our best to the school, we find a more than ample reward awaiting us.
This reward is inexplicable and indefinable. It is a loyalty to something greater than ourselves, known generally by the name School Spirit. This School Spirit, once obtained, governs the whole of our school life, and allows us to declare later in life:
"My school days were the best days of my life."
These school days provide a very sound background for entry into the expanding world. In class we learn to think for ourselves, and to use our own judgment in making decisions. As we progress through the school, we learn and practice the art of leadership, while on the playing field we develop firm and lasting friendships as, side by side, we strive towards the common goal, appreciating to the full the benefits of teamwork.
However, we proudly assert in our traditions that the Greater Public Schools are not things of the past, but that they will continue to be great in the future as long as this School Spirit remains.
B. M. L. Crommelin
Since its inception the B.G.S.O.B.A. has successfully served many purposes. From the viewpoint of its members, the Association's success lies mainly in its provision of avenues of contact with form-mates of years gone by. Contacts are re-established and friendships continued via any one or more of the O.B.A. activities and also through its section of the B.G.S. Magazine.
I often wonder, however, just how many Old Boys have lost contact with their old school and form-mates. A glance at the lists of active members quickly reveals that there are many hundreds of these who not only remain unfinancial but about whom little if anything is known. In almost every instance an Old Boy's failure to pay his annual subscription has been due entirely to neglect or forgetfulness. For any Old Boy desirous of re-establishing contact with the Association I remind him that the reinstatement fee is now £1 only, plus his membership fee for the current year.
It is never easy for one to describe exactly what being an Old Boy of the B.G.S. really means to him. Such a meaning is heavily dependent upon so many experiences all of which in later years tend to assume more importance and to become cloaked with no small amount of pride and sentiment. It is, I believe, of great importance to acknowledge the fact that the B.G.S. must adhere to a principle of "first come, first enrolled." The annual enrolment of boys from many and varied home backgrounds assures any new boy of a happy and purposeful place in the B.G.S. The traditions of his new school extend now over almost one hundred years. He has the example of so many who have preceded him on which to base his future career and friendships. Very few, if any, of the Old Boys who read this article will be without at least one firm life-long friend made at Grammar.
So too is it a source of pride for an Old Boy to hear of the continuing successes of the B.G.S. in all spheres of scholastic and sporting activity. The many changes made to the landscape of the B.G.S. over the past decade have produced their resultant benefits. The addition of a modern science-building, gymnasium, swimming pool and third oval have within this brief period provided for greater opportunities for present boys than those enjoyed by their predecessors.
But there is one amenity still lacking — a modern adequately equipped library, capable of serving the needs of all subjects of study. Provision of this essential amenity has been proclaimed a 1968 B.G.S. Centenary Year project. It behoves all Old Boys to support the fund-raising activities of the Centenary Building Fund Committee. Any donation, regardless of size, is most welcome. As the amount necessary will have to be available in only three years' time, I appeal to all Old Boys to regard this as a matter of urgency and to support this project immediately. Pride in membership of the Old Boys' Association is strengthened by the current activities and status of the school. Let us, therefore, add to our pride by making our Grammar School even greater.
A. R. Thomas
Subscription — Annual: £1, due in advance on 1st July. Boys who join immediately on leaving school, 10/- to the 30th June. Life Membership: £20. Badge: 5/-.
All Old Boys of the Brisbane Grammar School and all persons who have acted as a Trustee or a Master of the School shall be eligible for membership, on application, and subject to the approval of the Council. As we are always glad to hear news of Old Boys, especially those living outside Brisbane, any information in this connection will be appreciated. Please address correspondence to: The Old Boys' Editor, c/- J. Thomson, Bookseller, 311 Queen Street, Brisbane.
Ross Thomas, born in West Australia, came to Queensland in 1944 and entered the B.G.S. in 1951 from Ithaca Creek School. He devoted himself to his studies and to many activities outside the classroom, as is evidenced by the fact that when he left the B.G.S. at the end of 1954, he was Captain of the School. He had passed the Senior Public Exam, played in the first XI and the first XV, attained commissioned rank in the Cadet Corps and won the O.B.A. Challenge Cup. Form Captain of VA in 1953 and of VIA in 1954, he was also a Prefect in 1954; in this, the year of the Queen's Visit he represented the School at the Royal Ball.
Like last year's President, Ross has devoted his career to teaching, specialising in the care of deaf children, for which purpose he took a special course in Melbourne in 1957. He is now on the staff of the Gladstone Road School for the Deaf. Since leaving school, as an evening student at the University of Queensland, he has gained the degree of Bachelor of Economics and is at present studying for a degree in Education.
For the last 5 years our new President has been a member of the O.B.A. Council, where his special work has been the organising of the Dinner Dance. With a young man as President, our younger Old Boys now have a special opportunity to show practical evidence of their enthusiasm for the Old School. We wish Ross well in his term of office, knowing that as we approach the Centenary Year, Old Boys of all ages will help him to work for the School.
At the Annual General Meeting held in the Great Hall of the School on September 11th, the Office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected, as set out on the first page of the Old Boys' Section of this Magazine. In addition to the formal business and some discussion we had an interesting address from the Headmaster outlining the progress of the School. Mr. Newell also referred to the needs of the School, with particular reference to the Centenary Building Fund and to the necessity for an adequate School Library. Judge Seaman also addressed the meeting as Chairman of the Centenary Building Fund Appeal, for which he asked for the help of all Old Boys.
In recognition of his years of service to the Association as General Secretary, Ron Dore was elected an Honorary Life Member.
Among the apologies received for absence from the meeting was one from V. G. Burris (37), a former General Secretary, who had attended every Annual Meeting from 1945 to 1962 inclusive. After the Meeting there was an informal Reunion in the Gymnasium, where members were able to mingle freely and exchange reminiscences.
The Ninety-fifth Anniversary of the Foundation of the Brisbane Grammar School was commemorated on Saturday, 2nd March, 1963 under favourable weather conditions.
The Council is indebted to Messrs W. Kidston (Cricket), H. A. Becconsall (Tennis), L. G. Cooksley (Shooting), R. Beaver (Swimming), and S. G. Corone (Rowing), for arranging the Old Boys' teams and to the Headmaster and his staff, particularly the Sports Master, Mr. A. E. Burge, for their organisation at the School.
A most notable phenomenon occurred — the Old Boys won the Shooting after many years of humiliating defeats. The fact that Tom Stephens (16) improved his accuracy each time he borrowed another pair of spectacles should not detract from the feat. Not quite so surprising, but nevertheless noteworthy, was the success of the Old Boys in the Tennis — the School was successful in winning the G.P.S. Tennis Premiership this year. The side-lines urging of Henry Becconsall (29), this year the non-playing coach, must have worked wonders with Norm Pixley (12) and his gallant team members. Cricket, swimming and rowing followed the usual pattern — congratulations to the Present Boys and commiserations to the Old Boys.
Our thanks go to the Present Boys for their displays in the Science Block, which drew due praise from the numerous parents, Old Boys and friends. We were told that the standard of these displays was most creditable and this was confirmed by prizes received for them in a State-wide competition.
The Presentation of Scholarships and Bursaries was conducted before a capacity gathering in the Great Hall during the afternoon break from sporting activities. We are again indebted to Mr. J. H. Broughton, a Master at the School, for his organ entertainment associated with the ceremony. Scholarships and Bursaries were presented as follows:
The evening function was attended by 170 members and guests, including ten representatives of Kindred G.P.S. Associations. We were delighted to have as Guest of Honour, Judge George Seaman (18), who gave an illuminating address on some highlights of his period at the school, coupled with sound advice to younger Old Boys on the place which the school should hold in their everyday life. John McDonald (26) proposed the toast to the Guest of Honour. Tony Loutit (55) proposed the toast to the School, to which the Headmaster, Mr. Henry Newell (20), replied. Dr. Konrad Hirschfeld (18) proposed the toast of Kindred Associations, which was appropriately replied to by the Representative of Ipswich Grammar School, which this year celebrated the Centenary of the Foundation of that School.
The organisation of the catering aspects for this function was, as has become almost a ritual in recent years, capably handled by Henry Becconsall (29) and his willing group of helpers.
An innovation of holding this service in the Great Hall on Sunday, 24th February, 1963, resulted in an outstanding success. We desire to thank the Headmaster and Mr. Broughton for the organisation of the service and the School Choir which contributed to the success of the function. The large attendance taxed the capacity of the Great Hall. The service was conducted by an Old Boy, the Venerable Archdeacon C. S. C. Arkell (19) who used his distinguished experiences as a clergyman and senior padre in the services to provide a dignified and impressionable tone to this important function.
M. J. Priestley, N. W. Hunter, B. M. L. Crommelin (Captain of the School), A. P. Weedon, G. J. Ramsay, A. R. Fuller, J. R. Knott, S. M. Laing, G. E. Ford, G. B. Haigh, I. A. Wilkinson, P. R. Atkinson, T. W. Hellyer, R. G. Silcock, L. K. Trotter, A. R. Larsen, M. S. Miff.
New South Wales Group — The Annual Dinner Meeting was held on 1st March 1963, when the Association President, Bill Kidston, was Guest of Honour. Office-bearers elected: President, J. S. Oxnam (1920); Vice-President, K. C. Auld (1920); Secretary/Treasurer, G. E. Poole (1925); Committee, W. T. Austin (1914); G. A. Tait (1928); E. W. Trivett (1896); E. C. Stumm (1909); P. W. Whatmore (1946). The Annual Spring Function was set for October 25th at The Australian Golf Club, Kensington, Sydney.
Melbourne / Victorian Group — On May 20th the O.B.A. Council was represented by Mr. B. G. Tyrrell at a Reunion Dinner held at the Victorian Public Schools Club, attended by 26 Old Boys of the B.G.S. domiciled in Victoria. Such was the enthusiasm of the Meeting that it was decided to form a Victorian Group of the O.B.A., with Office-bearers: President, C. E. Kerr (19); Vice-President, M. G. F. Donnan (30); Secretary-Treasurer (continued in scan). A Foundation Day Dinner was arranged for Friday, February 28th, 1964, at the Public Schools Club of Victoria.
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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