Old School Ties 1995 Vol 1 No 2

August 15 saw the Annual Reunion Dinner held for the first time at the new Novotel, Brisbane — 124 attendees. The oldest Old Boy present was Lionel Pelham Sapsford (26); also Maurice Dingle (36) and Nowell Taylor (36). Groups of younger Old Boys included former School Captain Simon Debnam (88), Patrick Bell (87), David Finch (85), Andrew Bale (84) and Ben James (88). Norm Hirst (44) organised a table of the Rowing Fraternity including Alan Bromiley (61), Stan Corone (50), John Walker (52) and Lloyd "Spot" Taylor (75). The President entertained guest speaker Ian Callinan, QC (52) and the Headmaster. The 1996 Dinner was set for Tuesday 13 August at the Novotel (approx. $65 per head).

Submitted by Joel Barnett (63)

Progress is being made on the restoration of The School Gun; it is hoped it will be returned early in the 1996 School Year in pristine condition. It has stood on its specially designed plinth for some seventy years (originally positioned for a now-dead Moreton Bay Fig). The entire plinth is likely to be relocated closer to the old Headmaster's residence, down the School Driveway. The Gun was carefully removed for refurbishment by members of the regular army stationed at Bulimba.

by Pam Barnett, BGS School Archivist

Faced in 1879 with building a second School after only ten years, the Board of Trustees and the Headmaster decided to embody their moral compact with the Grammar community in two magnificent stained-glass windows for the North and South positions of The Great Hall (then under construction). They remain after more than 100 years, a significant part of our own and Brisbane's heritage.

By 1880, idealistic concepts were increasingly couched in the imagery of Chivalry. A symbolic Victoria Regina is the central lancet figure of the North Window, surrounded by twelve loyal "Knights" who gave outstanding service to the Throne, in four groups of three: James Cook in the premier top-left position (giving the Window an Australian context), with Nelson and Wellington (military endeavour); Burleigh, Somers and Chatham (Pitt the Elder) as Statesmen; Shakespeare, Milton and Bacon for Literature; and Bacon, Newton and Faraday for the Sciences. The loyal dominions are represented by their coats-of-arms — Britain, Scotland, Ireland, the Colony of Queensland and the City of Brisbane — and the then current representatives by the arms of the Governor of Queensland (Sir A. E. Kennedy), the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh (who, as HRH Prince Alfred, laid the Foundation Stone of the first Brisbane Grammar School at Roma Street in 1868).

The South Window of The Great Hall, with its beautiful Grisaille patterning, responds to the North Window. In the "rose" at the top are represented the honours with which the Crown may reward exemplary service: the Order of the Garter, the Victoria Cross, the Star of India, the Cross of St Michael and St George, the Order of the Thistle and the Order of the Bath.

These windows were a most ambitious undertaking. Public subscription was sought for 500 Pounds. With no glassworkers capable of completing the work in Queensland, the firm of Ferguson and Urie of Melbourne was commissioned; the pot glass was imported from Europe. It is believed these are the first Australian-made windows in Queensland.

News of Old Boys

• Ben Cameron (88) won Silver in the Lightweight Fours at the U23 Nations Cup in Holland, then teamed with Ben Finemore (89) to win the Queensland Senior B Coxless Pair.
• Dr Rodney Wolfe (79), newly appointed senior lecturer at QUT's School of Mathematics, applying chaos theory and statistics (including computer recognition of spoken words).
• Miles [—] — representative of the Australian International Space School; Head of the Electronic Systems and Electrical Engineering Department at QUT and Director of the Space Centre.
• Simon Hewitt (89), while studying for his BMus at UQ, reached the finals of the 1995 ABC Young Conductor's Mastercourse and Competition (Perth).
• Exhibition Wednesday trio: John McDonald (54) ("Johnny Mac") on ABC Radio defending solicitors against conveyancers; Ian Kortlang (59), Sydney lobbyist and former adviser to Nick Greiner, on World at Noon; and Professor Graeme Cooksley (54) on the 7.30 Report (Director of Clinical Research at the Royal Brisbane Hospital Research Foundation; organising an eight-day Hepatitis C conference).
• Matthew Keegan (89), Trainee Golf Pro at Keperra, hoping to join the Sunshine Circuit in 1996.
• Ben Thyme (85) and ten friends spelled "Queensland" in jerseys on international TV at the Bledisloe Cup.
• Architect Hamilton Wilson (74), son of Blair (45), published on courtyard design; architect of the PARTEC/Plastics Training Institute buildings (where Roger Cater (60) is campus manager, Mt Gravatt TAFE).
• Rod Christsen (64) ("Big Red") now training horses — formerly jockey, strapper, race caller, penciller and bookie ("probably the only jockey ever to have fought for a heavyweight boxing title").
• University Medallist David Harris (86) — First Class Honours in Science (ANU, medal in Theoretical Physics); studying scientific communication (ANU/Questacon "Science-Circus"). His mother, Vivian, is the School's Registrar.
• Drew [—] (61) — environmentalist who launched into a career and attracted the attention of a political party; Mike Mar[—], President of [an Institute], on redeveloping communities.
• Ellis Smith (23) renewed contact via Old School Ties.
• [—] Powell (72) with the ANZ Bank, supporting Brisbane [sport].
• The Brothers Kitchen: [—] Kitchen (77) working in New Zealand (Engineering); younger brothers in Engineering Technology/Electronics and with the Department of Foreign Affairs (a year's assignment, learning Mandarin).
• The Fancutt family — Christopher Fancutt (79) took over the Tennis Centre [at Jindalee]; tournament direction noted.
• [—] Praeger (67), a [practitioner] noticed in a High Court matter.
• An Old Boy of the class of (22) awarded a long-service jewel in [the Masonic order]; author of a well-known [work].
• Dennis Thomson (63) ("Monkeying Around in Tropical [—]") — a vet leading a fascinating life (sedating water buffalo; an escaped steer captured at the wharves); featured on the Today programme, November '94.
• Bruce Howden (59), Headmaster, appointed to Toowoomba Prep (from ACGS), known for theatre, visual arts and primary-level languages.
• Brett Lougheed (Staff) appeared in a Telecom/Telstra advertisement.
• David Bell (80), son of [—], teaching at Ipswich Grammar (BA, Dip.Ed.).

Former Grammar Master recognised — Russell Cowie. Russ Cowie was on staff at BGS 1959–68 (Coach of the 1st XV; Senior Resident Housemaster 1965–68). He held an MA at Grammar and was conferred a PhD in 1984; since 1972 at UQ, promoted in January to Reader and Associate Professor in the Education Faculty. He received one of the 1994 Excellence in Teaching Awards (UQ), commended for his "strong contribution… structuring of lectures on sound educational principles and vitality of delivery." He was also awarded the first-ever Life Membership of the Queensland History Teachers' Association, which he helped establish in 1963.

Mack Jones, Director of Development

Regional & Interstate Dinners were held during 1995 in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin, Rockhampton and Cairns. Old Boy Directory — distribution promised for early 1996. Regional contacts: Adelaide — Don Chisholm (47); Cairns — Alan McDonald (58); Darwin — Peter Buckley (58); Melbourne — Bruce Gibson (58); Perth — Graeme Macnish (59); Rockhampton — Tom Dewar (48); Sydney — Michael Wilson.

• Phyllis Byram (History Staff, BGS) sought donations of The World of Ancient Times by Charles Roebuck — for many years the standard Ancient History text at Grammar — to extend the Department's resources. (A retired Master used to tell boys claiming to have finished their work to "take out your Roebuck and read it.")
• Geoff Beames (56) enclosed a photograph of the 1959 Rugby First XV (not included in 100 Years of Grammar Rugby). Back (L–R): Steve Day, Peter Ingram, Keith Jennings, Geoff Beames, Wilson Cooper. Centre: Gary Hughes, John Flutter, Dudley Fitzgerald, Phil Clutterbuck, Graham Jackson, Ernie Jacobs, Dave Linidater. Front: Doug Thompson, John Davidson, Warren Yuill (Capt.), Mr Harry Allsop, Steve Ruddell, Don Wright, Dick (R.J.P.) Marks.

• This issue's questions: (1) How many spokes total do the Gun's wheels have? (2) In what year was the ban on Second Formers walking through the Tunnel outside Administration lifted?
• Last edition's answers: the Headmaster who served eight months in 1965 was J. S. D. (Don) Edwards; the School was originally to be named Prince Alfred Grammar. First and second prizes won by Andrew Brough (85) and Kevin Lynch (staff 1973–89, now an Association member).

"The Indescribable in Pursuit of the Inedible" — the Annual Old Boys' Golf Day, Friday 25 August, Indooroopilly. Major sponsor Quality Travel (return trip for two to Japan); winner Simon Tolhurst (85) intending to use it as his honeymoon. Other sponsors: Lion-Nathan (Fourex), Bank of Queensland, Feez Ruthning, Johnston Rourke. Overall winning group: Andrew Marchbank (86), Peter Nash (73), Richard Moroney (78), Brad Walker (77). (Coordinator: Cameron Green (87); with John Davies, Senior Manager (Qld) JAL, and Charlie Griffith, Quality Travel.)

Rugby. BGS won premierships in the Seconds, U16A, U15B, U14B and U13A divisions (U15 and U13 teams undefeated). The First XV, "never disgraced," produced three Queensland Schoolboys' First Team selections — Captain Tom Vincent, Vice-Captain Stephen Sexton and Lock Brett Green. The season opened with narrow losses to Terrace and BBC, a win over State High, narrow losses to TGS, Ipswich and (after dominating) Churchie; then losses to a fast TSS side and to perennial champions Nudgee College on No 1 Oval. In 1996 specialist coaching to be undertaken by GPS Club coaches Tony D'Arcy and Lance Heywood. Soccer continues to make its mark on the BGS calendar.

A feature by Old Boy, former Master and current Track & Field Coach, Mal Staniforth (74)

Written ahead of the 78th Annual GPS Track & Field Championship (Saturday 14 October), as Brisbane City Council raced to ready the new athletics facility at QEII (ANZ Stadium) — failing which GPS would, for the first time in twenty years, return to a grass track (likely at Nudgee College). The essay celebrates the BGS athletic tradition since the synthetic-track era began, recalling epic battles at the Exhibition Ground and Lang Park, and a roll of champions:

• Warwick [Selvey] — three State middle-distance titles in 1976; Lindsay "Condo" Close, GPS titles from Hurdles to 800m; Lex Bowden, high jump and leadership.
• Electronic timing first used 1981; Triple Jump, Discus and Javelin added to the GPS programme in 1983.
• Anthony Westaway — the rare treble of 800m, 1500m and 3000m at one GPS Carnival (1982); Scott Klose — National 110m Hurdles (1985); Clint Harvey — Australian Junior Long Jump squad (1985).
• Adam Beesley — National Open Discus Title 1986, never beaten at GPS or during his time at Grammar; Scott Mackenzie — GPS/State double in Long and Triple Jump 1987 (7.21m, then the longest by a Grammar athlete).
• Grammar's greatest triumph: winning the GPS Trophy in 1988 (first since 1948), Captain Steven Wiseman holding the Cup; repeated in 1989 with a record 452 points.
• Daniel Yates (1989 Track & Field Captain) — National U15 400m (1987), undefeated at GPS and State 1986–90; left in 1990 holding State, 2 GPS and 15 school records, including the fastest 400m of all time (48.2 sec). Steven Wiseman shattered the GPS 3000m record and claimed a National 5000m (1988); Jason Wu — National 1500m (1989) and 5 State titles; Andrew Moore (son of Ron) — two State Shot Put titles; Richard Pope — 5 straight GPS Triple Jump crowns; prolific point-scorers Cameron Brownjohn, Paul Levonis, Greg Dilosa; Greg Buckle (son of Bill) placed nine times; Ben Ellis — first Grammar athlete to clear 2 metres in High Jump.

• President's Festive Season Greetings — Ian Whittle wished all members and families a happy New Year and especially wished the 1995 Sixth Form well with their results.
• Open invitation to all members of Sixth Form, 1995 — first-year membership offered at half rate ($17.50 instead of $35).
• Northgate — 1996 to see "the dawning of a new era" with the move to the new sports complex at Northgate for Rugby and Soccer.
• Advertisers (Old Boy connections): Bank of Queensland / Leasepac (Ian Whittle); Morgan Stockbroking; Precision Eyewear (Ian Elcock, Old Boy 1950–54, son of Frank, Old Boy 1922 — coach of the Qld 1966 Kings Cup crew); BEARS Team / Ted Hook & Associates (careers); Pelican Waters / Henzells; Mitchell Ogilvie Menswear.

Deaths listed in order of year of entry. - William Maddock (1920) — d. 22.08.95. Born Toowoomba, grew up at Warra; BGS 1920–23 (Second XI wicketkeeper); Titles Office 1923–75, retiring as Deputy Registrar of Titles; instrumental in introducing Strata Titles to Queensland. Survived by his wife, five sons and twelve grandchildren, many of whom attended BGS — sons J. D. (50), R. C. (59), K. W. (62), W. R. (68); grandsons K. W. (82), W. J. (95), J. C. (86). - James Alexander "Jim" Gibson MBE (1921) — d. December 1994. Born Glasgow 1907, emigrated 1913; held a State swimming record; entered BGS in 1922; optometrist (bought Stacey and Stacey, Townsville). Awarded his MBE in 1983 for extraordinary community service (Lions International — charter and first Life Member of the Cleveland Bay Lions Club; patron of the Townsville Blind Society; life governor of the North Queensland Crippled Children's Society; director of the North Queensland Newspaper Company; Masonic Lodge member).

Lachlan Davidson (85) to Samantha Hewitt; Michael Adsett (83) to Natasha Woodward; Brett Chenoweth (81) to Rebecca Fox.

Peter Huxley (65) — son Cosmo; Christopher Fancutt (79) — son Thomas John; Shane Gilbert (85) — son Michael Timothy; David Glover (75) — daughter Alexandra May; Michael Elmer (77) — daughter Kathleen Alison; Richard Bremner (76) — daughter Lilley Ross; Mark Deuble (74) — son Luke James; Roger Traves (74) — son Nicholas William Harold; Martin Cichero (78) — son Benjamin Alexander; Geoff Cafferky (73) — daughter Emma Rose; David Noon (76) — daughter Genevieve Joyce; Richard Somerville (75) — daughter Jessica Lee; Douglas Lilley (77) — son Charles Mitford.