1973 has been a year of consolidation as students have combined their efforts to obtain something more than the raw facts of subject matter, something more than a struggle for a certificate of qualification. For them the experiences of school life have been a genuine education for living in our complex modern society. There have been peaks and valleys, of course, as we progressed through the year, but a standard of scholarship has been attained which is compatible with the traditions of our 105 years, plus an outlook which is entirely modern.
Through dedication and effort, our students have gained international prestige for Brisbane Grammar in both academic and sporting spheres, and the excellence of outstanding students is reflected throughout the whole student body who contribute to the intellectual environment that makes such achievement possible, while both teamwork and competitive sportsmanship on the playing fields have helped shape the outstanding performances in sport.
In keeping with the times there is also evident increasing student responsibility. The Students' Representative Council is the visible body of such responsibility, and the success of "Open Day," despite the determined efforts of the weather to dampen our spirits, is some measure of what can be accomplished by students who are prepared to accept and share a measure of responsibility in school life.
Schools in the 70's face problems produced by the demands of society to provide for all students a quality education, but the pressure of these demands could well turn our schools into educational factories producing a standard mass product, pre-conditioned to join the "rat-race." To counter this tendency there is a need to develop an ability to evaluate what is really worthwhile in life, and such needs must be fostered in our schools. We must see our school and the school's activities not as an adolescent society in isolation but as part of the whole human society. This has been the aim of our school this year, and we, the product of the school, will be testing the value of our education in the adult world of tomorrow.
The School Magazine is the Annual Chronicle of school life. As you read these pages, try to find more than the images and words of success; try to see the throbbing vitality of dedication and devotion of the students of the Brisbane Grammar School.
C. A. Morton.
One of the most pleasing features about William P. Johnson (29) is that he is a member of the B.G.S. Teaching Staff, which he joined in 1969 — the first master to be President since the election of H. V. Byth (10) in 1947. Long interested in education, he came to the School after some years in Army Education. Among his activities are membership of the Standing Committee of Convocation and of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association, both of the University of Queensland; he is also a member of the Executive Committee of the United Service Institute, and has served as Assistant Director of the Queensland Marriage Guidance Council. This year his son is in Form VI.
Former Presidents from the School (recorded in this issue): the late R. H. Roe (Headmaster 1876–1909) was President of the O.B.A. in 1898, 1901, and again in 1910 and 1917; the late F. S. N. Bousfield was President in 1900 (Second Master) and in 1918 and 1928 (Head); the late Stuart Stephenson was President in 1911 (Second Master); the late T. E. Jones (1875), a master 1885–1911, was President in 1912; the late G. Carson-Cooling (10) was President in 1937 and 1938 (Second Master). The late J. G. Nowlan (master 1910–1946) was Secretary of the O.B.A. throughout and until his death in June 1950. The issue also notes the close association between the Trustees and the O.B.A., and that all then-current Trustees were Old Boys: Prof. Neville Sutton (06), Sir Thomas Hiley (18), Judge Seaman (18), Mr. Justice M. B. Hoare (23), Norman Ham (34), R. A. Henderson (37) and Derek H. Meyers (39), M.D.
*The 1973 issue carries an obituary-style Deaths section.
In 1973 the Editorial was written by the School Captain, C. A. Morton — so it is effectively the Captain's piece, reproduced below. OBA President for 1973–74 was W. P. Johnson, a serving B.G.S. master.
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