Today, our news is filled with reports of violence and death, whether it be bombings from Belfast or new atrocities in Rhodesia. We can turn from Idi Amin's reign of terror to murder incidents in our own state. We note the allegations of hypocrisy and corruption the politicians hurl at each other and view with concern each new threat of union confrontation. But most of all, we criticize the participants in these incidents, because it seems they lack the basic friendliness to be able to peacefully get along together.
In a society that is rapidly fragmenting over many controversial issues, it is probably more important to teach the future generation how to successfully interact and co-operate with each other, rather than following their parents' example. In a society where fewer and fewer people are being occupied in primary or secondary production, and nearly 70% of our own workforce are engaged in tertiary industry, it is more important than ever before that people should be able to co-operate with each other; and finally, in a society that is becoming more institutionalized, more bureaucratic and less personal, it is essential for people to be able to interact with each other with friendliness and concern.
Students today probably have more opportunity for contact with their fellow students than ever before. Sport, activities and other group interests enable students to compete against each other and to support one another whether it is to play football or to act on stage. The interest and support for others that this encourages is more important than any other factor in the character building of the individual. Friendliness as an attitude within the school probably goes further to explain the success of our students, and the involvement of so many in so many different activities.
This magazine therefore exists not as an honour board for a gifted few but as the record of all the members of the school. We, the editors, have tried, as editors before us have done, to present an account of what the students of 1977 have achieved. We hope that, as you read it, you will appreciate the students' efforts and initiatives, no matter with what success.
It is easy to envisage this body of students going on to greater achievements in life as a result of their demonstrated initiative and maturity, but it is to be hoped that they will always retain that concern and friendliness for other people that have been exhibited this year in all aspects of school life.
J. E. Rolfe
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(Note: D. J. Markwell on Council is Don Markwell, the 1976 School Vice-Captain, now serving as an Old Boy.)
(The 1977 issue carries no separate written President's Message; instead it profiles the incoming President, R. H. Abbott.)
Son of Geoffrey Grainger Abbott (34), Roy Hedley Abbott (69) "more than makes up in enthusiasm and keenness for what he lacks in age". Still a student at the University of Queensland — of which he is already a graduate in Commerce — he is now reading in Law. As he feels he owes much to the B.G.S. and the resulting associations, he is anxious, as every Old Boy should be, to help in its future development and progress. His point of view is not "What do I get out of it?" but rather "What can I put into the work of the O.B.A. that will help the School?" He has already put some of his ideas into practice by addressing some of the boys on the aims and activities of the Old Boys' Association.
The 1977 magazine does not carry a Foundation Day Assembly awards report or a formal "O.B.A. Awards" block, so no Roe Scholarship or J. G. Nowlan Bursary recipient is recorded for 1977 in this issue. (The only mention of R. H. Roe is in the list of past Headmasters; the only mention of J. G. Nowlan is a historical aside about a 1936 School concert he conducted.) The 1977 recipients, if needed, would have to come from the School's own prize records or Foundation Day programme.
The 1977 Old Boys' Section carries the usual Births, Marriages and Deaths registers (compiled by K. A. Lemon). These registers 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