BQOGA UPDATE

NEWS AND EVENTS

An update from the Ballarat and Queen’s Old Grammarians’ Association (BQOGA)

It has been a busy year in my first year as President of the Ballarat and Queen’s Old Grammarians’ Association (BQOGA) and we are grateful that we were able to hold some of our planned events including our 2015 (5 Year) Reunion, Gala Reunion for 1980, 1990, 2000 & 2010 and our 2019 (2 Year) Reunion. It is unfortunate that we had to postpone the remainder of our reunions for the year; however, we look forward to holding these reunions in 2022.

We hosted our inaugural BQOGA Careers' Breakfast in May, focusing on careers in the Health sector. This was a great success with many Old Grammarians involved as speakers on the panel, and our senior students finding this valuable for their research into a career in health. We are looking forward to holding more Careers' Breakfasts in 2022 and beyond.

Our Heritage Football matches were held for our boys' and girls' football teams in May and June. Both teams played well with ‘Best on Ground’ awards going to Year 12 students Sam Breuer and Jorja Jones. The teams wore the Heritage jerseys, and I was honoured to be able to present them to the boys' team before their game.

In other Old Grammarian sporting news, we were proud to watch Lucy Stephan (2009) bring home gold at the Tokyo Olympics in the rowing, and Stuart Brehaut (1996), National Coach of the Australian Badminton team for the Games. Well done to Lucy and Stuart!

We will be holding the BQOGA Annual General Meeting on 28 February 2022, and we invite Old Grammarians to attend. We welcome Old Grammarians to join our committee and help shape the future of Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School, build connections with other Old Grammarians, and get involved in opportunities that make a difference to our School.

If your contact details have recently changed, please complete the update your details form on the website www.bgs.vic.edu.au/updateyour-details or scan the QR code on the opposite page, so we can stay in touch with you.

We look forward to catching up with you at our events and other activities in 2022!

Tom Hunt (2012) President, Ballarat and Queen's Old Grammarians' Association

REUNIONS POSTPONED

The health and safety of our community is our highest priority. After careful consideration, and in light of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we made the decision to postpone our reunions for the remainder of 2021.

The postponed reunions include the 2018 Reunion, the Gala Reunion (for peer years 1981, 1991, 2001 & 2011), the 50+ Luncheon and the 2016 Reunion.

Please find the 2022 reunion dates below. We will be providing updates on these reunions and events via our website and social media channels, as well as with these peer years directly. In the meantime, if your details have recently changed, please complete our ‘update your details’ form on our website www.bgs.vic.edu.au/update-your-details or scan the QR code on the right to allow us to maintain contact with you in the future.

We look forward to seeing you at a reunion next year!

2022 REUNION DATES

Our Reunions for next year are proposed for the following dates:

26 March 2015 (6 year) Reunion

10 April FOSSILS – Past Staff Reunion

29 April 2020 (2 year) Reunion

13 August Gala Reunion 1981 (41), 1991 (31), 2001 (21) and 2011 (11)

21 October 50+ Luncheon, welcoming the 1972 peer year to the 50+ group

22 October Gala Reunion 1982 (40), 1992 (30), 2002 (20) and 2012 (10)

5 November 2017 (5 year) Reunion

A successful BQOGA Careers Breakfast with OG and parent representatives from the Health sector.

CAREERS' BREAKFAST

In May we held the BQOGA Careers Breakfast, with a panel of health professionals. A number of Old Grammarians shared their career experiences, why they chose their field and the advice they have for our senior students. The Careers' Breakfast was enjoyed by 100 of our senior students and parents who gained valuable insights from our Old Grammarians.

Thank you to our wonderful panel of Old Grammarians and parents for their involvement in this wonderful event! The BQOGA hope to hold another Careers' Breakfast early in 2022.

Thank you to Sarah Birtles (1979) Nurse, Rachel Maher (School parent) Speech Pathologist, Sarah MacNeill (School parent) Occupational Therapist, Holly Dobbyn (2014) Osteopath, Victoria Snibson (2012) Occupational Therapist, Isabel Wilson (2010) Midwife, Sophie Grills (2017) Nurse, Shaun Van Ravenstein (2004) Paramedic, Grace O’Dwyer (2017) Physiotherapist, Tess Ryan (2016) 4th year Medical Student, Kat O’Dwyer (2015) Psychologist, Kym Procaccino (1984 and School parent) Podiatrist.

DON HUNTLEY MEMORIAL PIANO RECITAL

The Don Huntley Memorial Piano Recital was held at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts in May. It was a magnificent performance, and certainly one to remember! Melbourne based pianist, Hoang Pham, performed to an enthusiastic audience. Hoang studied at the Australian National Academy of Music and the Manhattan School of Music in the United States. Hoang has received many awards both nationally and internationally. It was wonderful to see many familiar faces at the Champagne supper following the event.

Pianist Huong Tham, Year 12 student Zara Sadhai who performed on the night, with Piano teacher and Recital organiser Bronislaw Sozanski.

Piano teacher Lauren McKenna with David Deutscher, Shantini Deutscher (Board Chair), and Piano teachers Moya Jess and Gwen Kennelly.