Speech Day 2016 guest speaker, BGS Old Boy Matt McLennan '86, is truly an inspiring success story. From a childhood home with no electricity, to boarding at Brisbane Grammar School from 12-years-old, today McLennan is a New York based fund manager considered one of the most influential Australian investors in the world.
McLennan, who graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Commerce with first-class honours, credits education as the reason behind his success, calling it the "ultimate gift" to future generations. "I arrived at BGS as a boarder in 1982," he said. "For a lad from the bush, it was truly coming to the 'big smoke'."
McLennan continues to invest in future generations of students, serving on a number of educational boards, including President of the Trinity School Board of Trustees, a member of the Board of Dean's Advisors at the Harvard School of Public Health, a Board member of The University of Queensland in America and a Trustee of the Library of America.
Speaking to the graduating Class of 2016, McLennan reminded the boys of the School motto nil sine labore, nothing without labour, and urged the newest BGS Old Boys to become self-assured and kind-hearted men. "Brisbane Grammar School has given you something more than technical knowledge, it has given you the values of hard work and self-betterment," McLennan said. "It has taught you to play a contributory role as a citizen, to be a giver and not just a taker."
Source: Grammar News Summer 2016.