The original concept of the School Magazine was that it should provide a comprehensive and detailed record of the School's activities during the year. In this way, any person, whether connected with the School or not, upon reading the Magazine, would have a thorough knowledge of all important events in the school life of that year.
However, since the Magazine was prepared in the last months of the year by members of the Sixth Form, who were engaged in studying for the Senior Examination, it tended to be a rushed effort, containing many inaccuracies. Furthermore, finance was a problem, and many advertisements had to be included to pay for the production of the Magazine. This, together with a large section of original contributions, left only minimal space for the real "magazine" material, that is the reports of the School's activities. Thus, the Magazine did not fulfil the ideal of a complete chronicle of the year's events.
With the approach of the School Centenary it was felt that a revision of the format and the method of production of the School Magazine was necessary. To this end, the Headmaster asked for volunteers from the Sixth Form to form a Magazine Staff, and an assisting group, which would work throughout the year on the preparation of material for publication. More finance was available, which removed the necessity for advertisements, and the "Original Contributions" section was omitted, since "The School Window" provided generous facility for self-expression. This has meant a significant increase in space for reports on the School, and for photographs. We hope, by these innovations, that the Magazine will become a history of the School, produced by the members of the School.
It is hoped that the Magazine in this comprehensive form will reflect the philosophy of education at Brisbane Grammar School. With the academic, sporting and extra-curricular activities and achievements thus placed in what we believe to be their true perspective, it will be obvious to all observers that the School is not a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. institution. Rather, the School represents a way of life to all students who attend it.
The enlargement of the Magazine has one other advantage. In the past only those with some major achievement to their credit were mentioned in the Magazine. However, it is now possible for those members of the School who have worked hard without spectacular success to be recorded as an integral part of the School's achievements.
In conclusion, we should like to express sincere thanks to the members of the School who have contributed articles for the Magazine, to the Camera Club for their valuable photographic work, to Mr. Cowie for his overall guidance and assistance, and to all others who have helped in producing the Magazine. It is hoped that this Magazine will prove worthy of a school whose achievements and traditions have made it a leader in Queensland education over the last one hundred years.
D. P. Arnold R. J. Vann
On the eve of the Centenary Year I think it is fitting to quote, from the Rules of the Old Boys' Association, an extract which reads as follows:
"The object of the Association shall be to effect a bond of union amongst past pupils of the Brisbane Grammar School in order to promote a spirit of comradeship, to form an effective link between past and present pupils and, in every way, to further the welfare and interests of the school in the community."
Many Old Boys will be attending functions arranged to celebrate the first century of the school's distinguished service to the community.
It will commence the year, ready to enter its second century, with the first stage of the Building Project completed, the Centenary Square Project Appeal under way, an impressive record in academic and other fields and with an enthusiasm pervading the whole school, its reputation high throughout Australia.
This picture should make all Old Boys proud to belong to the school family and it will, I am sure, inspire the Old Boys' Association to strengthen its numbers and its endeavours to make the Centenary Year one of achievement in all spheres.
N. S. Pixley
Subscription — Annual: $4.00, due in advance on 1st July. Boys who join immediately on leaving school, $1, including badge, to the 30th June. Life Membership: $80. Badge: 50c.
Well-known in many spheres of activity in Brisbane, Norman Stewart Pixley, who entered the school in 1912, is not new to the O.B.A. Presidency, as he served previously in this office during 1949/50. Apart from his work in the Navy and in commercial circles, and also for many years serving with distinction as Honorary Consul for the Netherlands (he is at present Dean of the Consular Corps in Brisbane), he has been active in many philanthropic and cultural interests.
During his service with the Navy in World War I and in World War II he rose to the rank of Commander and was awarded the M.B.E. (Military Division) in 1941. His service with the R.A.N. Reserve extended over a period of 33 years. He is now President of the Queensland Division of the Navy League and Chairman of the State Advisory Committee on Recruiting. In 1951 Norman Pixley was the Leader of the Australian Delegation to the London Conference of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Commonwealth, and in 1952/53 President of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce. Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, he is also a member of the Council of the National Trust of Queensland and of the Council of the R.S.P.C.A., and a long-serving member of the O.B.A. tennis team in the Foundation Day matches against the present boys.
This year the celebration of the School's 99th Foundation Day started on a different note. On Friday, 24th February, the presentation of bursaries and Trustees' scholarships was made at an assembly of the school, departing from the practice of previous years of holding this presentation on the Saturday afternoon. Last year's School Captain, Andrew Jenkins, won the Reginald Heber Roe Scholarship, which was presented by Mr. J. Berry, President of the B.G.S.O.B.A. A direct link with the legendary A. J. "Shon" Mason was again maintained through the presence of his daughter, Miss Mason, who presented the A. J. Mason Scholarship to Stephen Gray. Mr. V. Grenning, a member of the Board of Trustees, presented the Trustees' Scholarships, and Dr. Francis, the President of Legacy, presented a Legacy Bursary to G. Melloy. On the Friday night, Foundation Day was celebrated by the B.G.S.O.B.A. at a dinner held in the Union Refectory at the University.
The 1967 Old Boys' Section carries Births, Marriages and Deaths registers. These registers are not reproduced in this transcript.
They are not reproduced in this transcript.
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