B.G.S.O.B.A. Inc., held in the Great Hall, Monday 4th March 1991 — by Norm Vincent, President
"Members should be aware that, although I am appreciative of the rare honour bestowed upon me by my nomination as President at the last AGM, the delay in the effective date of my resignation from school staff led me to believe that my acceptance of the nomination, at that time, could place both the newly appointed Headmaster and myself in an invidious position. I therefore declined nomination until such time as my retirement from staff had been effected. It is now a matter of history that the AGM of 1990 elected Neil Summerson as President from February until July and myself as President for the remainder of the year..
It is of paramount importance that I direct due recognition to the very worthwhile contribution of Neil Summerson to our Association in his capacity as President during that period which marked not only a change of leadership within our Association, but also the change of leadership of the school following the long reign of Mr Max Howell. Through his personal qualities of honesty and directness, tempered with diplomacy and gracious good manners, Neil, in concert with the new Headmaster, Mr. Peter Lennox, has been able to establish a well-founded rapport between the School and the Association which I have found only too easy to maintain..
As President of your Association, I have had the pleasure to be invited by the Headmaster, Mr. Peter Lennox, to attend a Foundation Day Assembly and present the Roe Scholarship to Ross Evans and the Nowlan Bursary to Luke Stanley Cronin, son of Dennis (64). The passing of the late, lamented Dr. Fitzgerald ('Fitz') Vincent (1924–1929) gave rise to considerable discussion within the Executive regarding a suitable form of memorial which might perpetuate the memory of 'Fitz' and his service to the school as a student, a prominent citizen and an outstanding Old Boy who afforded his Alma Mater regular physical, administrative and financial assistance for all of sixty years."
Norm Vincent, President
Delivered by School Captain Patrick Bell to the assembly on 5 February 1991
Any great wine is merely the sum of its chemical constituents. For Brisbane Grammar School to have a vintage year in 1991, everybody must play their part. We have a responsibility to make this school a successful and harmonious community. Believe me, 1991 is a year which has great potential. As part of our responsibility, it is up to us to fulfil that potential and make the year one to be remembered.
One of the problems that exists amongst us is the horizontal grouping, whereby each individual form develops their own sense of loyalty, thus isolating themselves from other year levels. This year we will be attempting to break down the present structure and achieve a more vertical integration. In some ways this has already been achieved in the Boarding House; what we would like to do is improve and extend this system throughout the whole school.
This year's Prefects will be striving to shoulder their obligations and will be expecting the same kind of commitment from you to the school, whether it be as a participant or as a supporter. What is true of BGS is that there is a place for everybody, regardless of their level of achievement or in what field. What is important is that each individual attempts to achieve the highest standard of which they are capable. We can't all be in the First XV or take a lead role in the school play; however, when someone genuinely pursues excellence, he should not have to take the put-downs and sly comments just because he is not as good as others at that activity.
Brisbane Grammar School enjoys much success, and one of the difficulties of being successful is finding someone who is pleased for you. Within this school, let us at least be generous enough to be pleased for one another. Let us be kind and courteous and strong enough to cope with those who are not. Last year, some of us were fortunate enough to be chosen as your school leaders; I would stress that this in no way sets us apart from the rest of the school. The Prefect Body of 1991 is not in some ivory tower, and will remain approachable and responsive to any queries or suggestions from junior members of the school.
As School Captain, I wish you all the best of luck and trust that through application and a sense of fun, you achieve your personal goals for 1991. If I may quote — "Life is not measured by a tale of days or months or years, but by the experience.."
Patrick Bell, School Captain 1991.
*The 1991 issue carries an obituary-style Deaths section.
School Captain 1991 was Patrick Bell (Vice-Captain: G. Horton). OBA President was Norm (C. N.) Vincent (former staff 1964–90); Neil Summerson (62) had served as President Feb–Jul 1990.
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