Principle and Objects: "The fundamental principle of the Association is that every member shall in all matters act as becomes a gentleman and true citizen, and 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 and 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."
Foundation Day 1982 was honoured by the Governor of Queensland (Sir James Ramsay) as Visitor, and the Guest of Honour was Sir Noel Foley — the first-ever recipient of the R. H. Roe Scholarship, who spoke warmly of his school days and urged boys towards careers in industry and commerce. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. R. A. Henderson, presented His Excellency with the Official Visitor's Medal. The major scholarships awarded in 1982 were:
(Students' Representative Council, under School Captain J. W. Peden)
The Students' Representative Council took office this year with the principal aim of emphasising its value. For several years there had been a general attitude of the S.R.C. existing in name only; hopefully the 1982 Council has changed this belief. In its dual role as the students' mouthpiece and organiser of Open Day, the S.R.C. listens to the requests of the student body and relays them to the administration. The establishment of the "Buy and Sell" noticeboard marked the first of a variety of minor though beneficial achievements — "but unfortunately little can be done when little is suggested."
Open Day, traditionally a day aimed at illustrating to the general public the diversity and tradition of Brisbane Grammar School, was organised and operated under a much improved format. This year the S.R.C. worked in close co-operation with the Tipperoo Club, and the results were impressive. The new emphasis behind "Open Day" 1982 was the merging of fund-raising, parent-operated and (most importantly) student-based activities. Having overcome initial misconceptions and communication difficulties, the student-parent committee met regularly to co-ordinate the day; classes were allocated stalls and activities, rosters prepared, and the classes encouraged to organise their stalls.
Open Day, Saturday 27th August, was a great success. The erratic weather proved to be no deterrent, as the attendance was the highest for many years. Re-location of stalls in the masters' car park area gave a carnival atmosphere while presenting the most scenic and traditional areas of the school. The Second and Third Forms responded eagerly and deserve much thanks for their enthusiasm and persistence.
Contributed by Colin Bevan (entered 1927; Teaching Staff 1950–1973)
Herbert Allen began his teaching career in the service of the Queensland Department of Education before joining the Staff of Brisbane Grammar School in 1916, where he stayed until his retirement in 1958 — one of the founding members of the Queensland Assistant Masters' Association. As a teacher of geology and chemistry he was outstanding, and an indefatigable walker on his geology expeditions. He was known to many generations of schoolboys as "Soapy" (a name gained because, very early in his classes on practical organic chemistry, he had the boys making what passed for soap). A keen horticulturist, he aimed to plant his Loganlea property with all the known species of Grevillea. He died after a very brief illness on September 6, aged ninety.
The 1982 issue carries an obituary-style Deaths section; No Births/Marriages register appears this issue.
School Captain 1982 was J. W. Peden. The senior-student voice is the Students' Representative Council report (reproduced below). OBA President for 1982–83 was R. A. Duus (58); there is no separate President's message this year, so the office-bearers and the Association's stated objects are recorded.
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