The Sequamur Society Securing our Future

This year the School has received three most generous bequests. All have a ‘giving back’ theme, with similar yet different motivations.

Max Nicholson (OB 1947) Giving Back after 75 years

Max’s primary motivation for leaving a bequest was to enable boys to remain at School despite their parents suddenly, for one reason or another, being unable to pay fees. This was Max’s noble way of ‘giving back’, repaying BGS after 75 years, for the assistance his mother was given by the School when his family came across financial difficulties. Max loved his time at BGS: he was a School Prefect; a Master Sergeant in the Cadet Corps Q-Store; and a champion 440 yards sprinter. Max’s bequest will act as a Bursary Fund and assist parents to pay fees when finding themselves in financial difficulties.

Neil (OB 1954) & Mavis Grummitt A Living Bequest

Neil and Mavis both appreciate how fortunate Neil was to benefit from a BGS education. Now, Neil and Mavis are driven by the desire to share this experience with others who, for financial reasons, would be denied a BGS education. Neil and Mavis have decided to donate their bequest now which will substantially bolster our BGS Scholarship Fund. By making a Living Bequest, Neil and Mavis can appreciate the benefits of their bequest in their life time.

Pat Norris An expression of gratitude

Pat Norris has left a very generous bequest to the School as an expression of gratitude for the care and support given to her son David (OB 1971). David suffered from injuries resulting from a serious accident when he was young.

Pat was always grateful for the School’s understanding of David’s difficulties and the extra care he received which certainly assisted David’s academic development. Pat’s bequest will honour the memory of her husband, Donald (OB 1937), and son David (OB 1973). Pat’s bequest will be directed to our Building Fund supporting the construction of our Centre for Science, Creativity and Entrepreneurship.

Why else leave a bequest?

Recently I met with an Old Boy who actually didn’t have much to say that was positive about his BGS experience. However, after hearing the Headmaster at an OBGS Reunion, he was impressed with the School’s Positive Masculinity programs, and particularly the School instilling within our boys a real desire to positively contribute to the wellbeing of our community. Whilst I am yet to hear whether this Old Boy has confirmed his bequest, I often come across Old Boys who are positively impressed by the School’s progressive approach to education whilst maintaining many of our muchvalued traditions. The School’s values of passion, respect, accountability and integrity are certainly worth fostering especially in a world where many young men are searching for a moral compass.

Simple economics

For some, leaving a bequest to the School is a matter of simple economics – the School’s existence is dependent on strong enrolments, astute financial management, and the generosity of our community. Bequests are geared to the future and enable the School to provide an excellent education for our BGS boys for years to come. Bequests are future -proofing!

But whatever motivates you to leave a bequest, your bequest is a legacy of which you can be justly proud, a legacy that will always be much appreciated.

Peter Toms OAM Bequest Manager