Bequests
Great Hall Society 1
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Great Hall Society The Great Hall Society was established in 1997 to honour those who have remembered Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) in their Will.
Founding Patrons Major General John Pearn AM RFD ’57 Mr John Story AO ’63 Mr Ian Whittle ’66 #*
GHS Members Mr Peter Armstrong ’69 *
Mr Doug Moffett ’42 #
Mr Ralph Beckingham OAM #
Dr Walter Monz ’31 #^
Mr John Blaiklock ’27 #*
Mr Bruce Paulsen ’43 *
Dr Bob Bryan AM ’52
Prof John Pearn AM RFD ’57
Mr Ian Carver ’52 #*
Dr Tim Porter ’69 *
Mr Lawrence Casey
Mr Donald Radford ’32 #
Mr Ronald Clarkson ’55
Dr Bruce Roberts ’45 #*
Mr John Cotterell ’63
Mr Howard Stack ’62 *
Mr John Cranley ’54
Mr Geoff Stevenson
Mr Athol Crawford ’45 #^
Mr Phip Stewart ’67
Mr Tim Crommelin ’65
Mr Colin Story ’34 #^
Mr Jack Farr ’42 #
Mr John Story AO ’63 *
Dr Stuart Grassie ’70
Mr Neil Summerson AM ’65 *
Mr Arthur Harris ’57 #*
Mr Rodney Taylor ’47 #^
Mr Peter Heywood ’48
Mr Rod Thorburn ’54 *
Mr Warwick Horsey ’76
Mr Henry Thorburn ’52 *
Mr Peter Jempson ’54
Mrs Doris Townsend #^
Mr John Knott ’60 *
Dr Grenville Thynne ’58
Dr Ernest Leggett ’21 #^
Mr Norman Traves ’39 #*
Mr John Leslie AO #*
Ms Katherine Trent *
Mr David Little ’60
Mr Jim Truesdale ’43 *
Mr Ronald Lindner ’60
Mr Geoff Voller ’66 *
Mr Stephen Lonie ’68 #
Mr Ian Whittle ’66 #*
Mr Chris Lovelock ’58
Mr Keith Woollam ’40 #^
Mr Ken MacDonald ’66
Mr Ronald Wyllie ’50 *
Mr Graham McBryde Mr David Malouf AO ’50
Foundation Members * Deceased # Bequestors pre-Great Hall Society ^
An overwhelming number of GHS members expressly acknowledged their parents’ determination in securing a BGS education so they could ensure a bright future for their sons. 3
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A Giving Community
A Symbol of History, Tradition & Community The Great Hall Society acknowledges the pivotal role bequestors play in contributing to the education of future generations. A Bequest is a tangible way to invest in the future of the School, every gift will preserve and strengthen Brisbane Grammar School in the years ahead.
The Great Hall was adopted as a symbol for the Society as it holds a special place in the hearts of Old Boys and all members of the BGS community. Great Hall Society membership is extended to anyone who makes a Bequest to the School.
Nurturing generations of boys Since its foundation Brisbane Grammar School has provided an education for young men from diverse backgrounds, irrespective of financial circumstance. The seeds of egalitarianism were evident even before the School was founded, with early residents raising funds to establish Brisbane’s first independent boys’ school in 1868.
This philanthropic legacy has shaped the BGS we know today, enabling generations of boys to embark on their BGS journey through needsbased bursaries. Current and future students are the beneficiaries of this rich history of giving.
In 2019:
Bursary Recipients:
actively contribute to BGS life and the broader community
bring diverse perspectives to BGS classrooms
In 2017
are means tested
have academic potential
44 students attended BGS thanks to bursaries
BGS thanks to bursaries 44 students attended
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Our 2020 Vision The Gift of Education Our 2020 Vision More than two decades after the Bursary Fund was established at the School, the bursary program continues to ensure that BGS remains true to its philanthropic heritage. Bequests make a vital contribution, enabling boys from diverse backgrounds to realise their promise and pursue their talents. BGS currently offers 44 needs-based bursaries, of varying amounts, to students who demonstrate the potential to make a positive contribution. The School has launched Our 2020 Vision with
the aim to build our Bursary Fund to $20 million by 2020. By drawing on the revenue from these funds, which are invested, we will be able to provide some proportion of fee remission to 10% of our student population (approximately 170 students) in perpetuity. The importance of these bursaries extends beyond individual recipients by fostering diversity within the School. Greater diversity enriches the School and ultimately benefits all students.
Year Group Bursary Program Old Boys and members of the BGS Community who support the Year Group Bursary concept, may also consider including a provision for their Year Group in their Will.
Our aim is to:
Goal: $20M by 2020 As at 2019: $15.5M
increase the number of bursaries offered to BGS students
create a sustainable bursary program by growing our Bursary Fund
$5,689,675 has been gifted to the Bursary Fund since 2017 by members of the BGS community: Old Boys, parents, students and bequestors
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Norman Traves ’39 with grandson Nicholas Traves ’12 8
Our Bequestors
Acknowledging Dr Roberts’ Contribution For more than 70 years after first walking through the Brisbane Grammar School gates, Old Boy Dr Bruce Roberts ’45 maintained his affinity with the School. Dr Roberts, who passed away aged 88 in 2016, left a generous Bequest of $249,226 to the School that will serve to support others embarking on their BGS journey through needs-based bursaries. Remembered for his quiet nature and medical achievements, Dr Roberts was one of Ipswich’s
longest serving doctors. He had great respect from his patients and led the way in innovation, with Dr Roberts’ practice the first to use mobile phones and computers. Going beyond his role as a GP, he led the transformation of St Andrew’s Private Hospital into a significant institution as Chairman, and was a member of the Queensland Medical Board. The School salutes Dr Roberts’ generosity and contribution to the greater community.
The Traves - A BGS Legacy Family The Traves family has a remarkable connection with Brisbane Grammar School that stretches back more than a century. At the BGS150 Gala Dinner in early 2018, Norm Traves ’39 was acknowledged as the oldest Old Boy in attendance, at 95-years-old. Norm was a respected engineer, a past Trustee, and an avid sportsman. Norm and his brother Douglas Traves OBE ’42 were preceded at the School, in the early 1900’s, by their uncles Kenneth Moffat ’05 and Edward Traves ’21 and a cousin, Jim Newman ’34. Both of Norm’s sons, Warren ’82, a BGS Trustee, and Roger ’78 attended the School, as did all seven grandsons – Angus ’13 and Nicholas ’12 Traves; Peter ’00, Samuel ’07 and Timothy ’10 Moore; Robert ’01 and Jeffrey ’06 Sheehy.
Norm’s brother Doug also sent his sons, twins Alan ’81 and Graeme ’81, to BGS. Graeme’s sons Jonathan ’14, Andrew ’16 and step-son Will Lassig ’18, also attended the School. The family’s labyrinthine connection speaks volumes, as does Norm’s generosity in the form of a Bequest to enable less fortunate boys to attend Brisbane Grammar School. Norm was delighted to be acknowledged at the BGS150 Gala Dinner and it was especially wonderful that many of his grandsons were present as well as both sons.
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Old Boy Rod Thorburn ’54 10
Our Bequestors
Paying it Forward In an extraordinary act of generosity, BGS Old Boy Rod Thorburn ’54 has bequeathed $500,000 to Brisbane Grammar School to establish the Rodney Thorburn Perpetual Bursary. The bursary will enable well-rounded students to gain the benefits and experiences of studying at Brisbane Grammar School irrespective of the financial means of their families. The bequest will fund a bursary which will cover two-thirds of one boy’s tuition fees in perpetuity. Thorburn was born in Brisbane in 1936 but spent the early years of his life in Sudan and Kenya. His father was a talented surveyor and being accustomed to the Queensland climate, he was in-demand in the heat of Africa. His mother returned by ship to Australia for the birth of Thorburn and his two siblings in 1934, 1936 and 1938. They didn’t meet their father until each of them was over a year old. “We were brought up in Khartoum in Sudan, but I recall a trip in 1942 when my father took both my brother and me up the Nile to go to boarding school at a place called Thomson’s Falls,” Thorburn said. “It was about a two-week journey by boat, rail and bus.” In 1946, the family moved back to Brisbane and into a house in Shorncliffe. “It was a threebedroom house and my parents got one, my brother and sister the others and of course I got the veranda, but that was fine by me. It had timber blinds, so it was basically a room,” Thorburn said. In 1951, at the age of 14, Thorburn started at BGS. “My memories of the School are positive, I remember the teachers were very passionate,” he said. “While I don’t think I could be described as a great studier, I did quite well.”
During his four years at BGS, Thorburn played rugby union, tennis and gymnastics. “It was an interesting adjustment for me because over in Kenya football was soccer, then at primary school at Shorncliffe football was rugby league, and at Brisbane Grammar School it was rugby union. I thought, ‘why have they got all these different rules?’” “I got on well with my fellow students and the masters, and BGS prepared me well for life after school. After I graduated, I put in for a job with the Forestry Department and the Railways Department and got a reply from both. The railway offer came first, and I agreed to it. That was on a six-year cadetship and you had to get a diploma of civil engineering in that time.” During a lifetime career at the railway, Thorburn rose through the ranks to a senior role in Townsville where he managed over 4000 people. He was known for his expert budget management and was the first to hire female labourers, paying them the same wages as men. Thorburn has been giving to BGS for more than 15 years and his brother Henry ’52 has also been a generous contributor to the School, particularly to the Library Fund. He hopes the Rodney Thorburn Perpetual Bursary will make a difference in the lives of many students in the years to come. “Brisbane Grammar School certainly did well by me and prepared me well. I am happy to be able to pass that same opportunity on to others in the future.” To find out more about how to leave a bequest visit giving.brisbanegrammar.com.
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Remembrance Day 2018, David Little ’60 and grandson Oliver Hudson ’25 12
Legacy Family
A Little War Hero Old Boy David Little ’60 has a strong family connection to Brisbane Grammar School that spans four generations and dates back to the early 1900s when his father and uncle attended the School. David’s father William Arthur Little ’14, uncle Edwin Maurice Little ’10, son Andrew Little ’87 and now grandson Oliver Hudson ’25 have all walked through the BGS gates as students. The Little family attended a special Remembrance Day Ceremony at the School to mark the centenary of the Armistice; 100 years after 11 November 1918. The School’s iconic Golden Book, on display in the War Memorial Library, was opened to the pages focusing on David’s father and uncle and their WWI service. A war hero, David’s Uncle Maurice was severely injured at Quinn’s Post in Gallipoli in May 1915. Newspaper accounts from 1916, revealed Maurice was throwing Turkish bombs back at the enemy before they exploded. He had done so successfully six times, but on the seventh occasion the bomb exploded in his hand, and he lost both eyes and had to have his right hand and wrist amputated. He also suffered hearing loss, other facial injuries, and a leg wound that became inflamed with arthritis. A casualty list published in the press listed him as killed in action. Upon his return to Australia in 1915, Maurice was guest speaker at rallies supporting the Federal Government’s conscription campaign. It was perhaps inevitable that Maurice’s younger brother, David’s father, William Little ’14 enlisted at
age 20 in November 1917. William was assigned to the Light Horse Reinforcements which served in Palestine and was engaged at Es Salt, Amman, Jordan Valley. Despite physical incapacities, Maurice refused to be pitied and went on to master braille and write widely. In 1923, the Queensland Book Depot published Maurice’s book, Sonnets and Other Verses. The preface was written by BGS Headmaster Bousfield and contained poems referencing WWI, including his well-known verse Nil Sine Labore extolling the virtues of our school motto in the field of battle. Maurice went on to become the Founding President of the Sherwood RSSILA, and stood for State Parliament, to better the cause of returned servicemen. He later travelled to London and studied economics at Oxford. Maurice died in London in 1938 aged 45. Eighty years later David proudly showed his uncle’s braille pocket watch with raised numerals, a gift to Maurice from the Queensland Government in recognition of his service in public life. David’s wife Marlene wore Maurice’s gold cufflinks and gold medallion in honour of her husband’s father and uncle to the 2018 Remembrance Day Ceremony. A strong supporter of Campaign 2020 and the 1960 Year Group Bursary, David — former School Captain of that year — is passionate about giving back to BGS and providing the chance for others to gain the same opportunities his family benefitted from by attending the School.
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GHS Members: BGS Chairman Howard Stack ’62 and Jim Truesdale ’43 at the BGS150 Gala Dinner 14
Your Will
How to Leave a Gift We are honoured by the trust of those who have committed to leave a Bequest to the School. After making provisions for your family and other beneficiaries, a Bequest is an opportunity to make a lasting gift that will have a transformational impact on current and future generations. Those with Wills may decide to include a ‘Letter of Wishes’ for their executor to honour. A Bequest can be: • A nominated sum of money • A percentage or residual of an Estate • Assets such as real estate, shares, bonds or other personal property The School’s Bursary and Building Funds have deductible gift recipient (DGR) status which should be taken into consideration when estate planning. No management fees of any kind are deducted from funds donated to the School. All donations, in their entirety, are directed to initiatives specified by the donor. We are receptive to donors’ desires and will do everything possible to accommodate their wishes.
Suggested wording The following wording is provided as a guide, which may be modified to fit with other provisions of your Will. ‘I give to Brisbane Grammar School for the purpose of providing financial assistance (for example, by way of bursaries, scholarships or prizes) to, or in respect of, students or intending students of the School: (i)
A specific amount $_______________ or,
(ii)
A gift, shares, or property________________ or,
(iii)
A percentage of my estate ____% or,
(iv)
The residue of my estate
free of all duties, and I DECLARE that the receipt of the Secretary/Treasurer or other proper officer of the Board of Trustees shall be full and sufficient discharge to my Trustee for payment of said sum and that my Trustee shall not be bound to see to the application thereof.’ If you decide to make a Bequest to BGS, you should seek independent legal advice. You and/or your solicitor may contact our office to discuss your particular wishes.
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Mr David Julius ’55 holding his father’s 1918 Honour Cap with 2018 student leaders 16
Your Legacy
It Takes a Community We invite you to join the community of Old Boys, families and friends of BGS who have made an investment in the future by leaving a Bequest. A Bequest is a gift that can be either named or anonymous. It is an instruction contained within a Will that specifically reserves part of an Estate for a particular beneficiary. Bequests can be directed to specific areas, such as the School’s Bursary or Building Funds. Bequests are usually directed to the School for use at its discretion. Unencumbered gifts provide the flexibility to direct funds to areas which the Board of Trustees and the Headmaster assess as in greatest need.
Leave a legacy: A little from many... More than half of all Bequests received by the School are $10,000 or less. It is amazing what these gifts can achieve. Bequests play an integral role in providing the gift of education and nurturing future generations of boys. Your philanthropic support will ensure boys benefit from a BGS education now and into the future. Benefits of a Bequest: • Opportunity to honour a loved one or decide how you wish to be remembered; • Provide a legacy to inspire others; • Assets remain in your control during your lifetime; • No effect on cash reserves during retirement; • Your Bequest can be easily modified as circumstances change; and • Great Hall Society Membership. Your legacy will continue long after your lifetime and remains a very special way of securing the future.
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Inaugural Great Hall Society Long Lunch 2019 18
Great Hall Society
A Gift to Society Leaving a bequest is a tangible way to invest in the future of Brisbane Grammar School. These gifts help to preserve the School’s history and strengthen our educational offering for future generations. The Great Hall Society was established in 1997 to honour those who have remembered the School in their wills, since then, the Society has grown steadily to its current membership of 52. Membership is extended to anyone who makes a bequest to the School.
The BGS Great Hall was adopted as the symbol for the Society because of the special place it holds in the hearts of all members of the BGS community. Each year members are invited to attend two events at the School; the annual Long Lunch and the 11 November Remembrance Day ceremony. The Long Lunch, held in the Great Hall, was established in 2019 as a formal celebration for members of the Great Hall Society and provides an opportunity for those leaving bequests to maintain their connection to the School.
The Great Hall Society Long Lunch On Wednesday 26 June 2019, Brisbane Grammar School was proud to host the inaugural Great Hall Society Long Lunch. Fifty-eight members of both the Society and the broader BGS community attended, including founding patrons Major General John Pearn AM RFD ’57 and John Story AO ’63. Some of the School’s oldest Old Boys joined in, including Bruce Paulsen ’43, Dr Brian Hirschfeld ’43 and Dr Stan Mellick OAM ED ’34, the oldest Old Boy in attendance at age 99, and since then turning 100. Rodney Thorburn ’54 was acknowledged for his bequest of $500 000 to establish a perpetual bursary for a well-rounded student in financial need.
Community members were in attendance to pay tribute to Old Boys whom we have lost. Anne Whittle and Sophie Swain attended in honour of founding patron Ian Whittle ’66, their husband and father respectively. Miss Topsy and Dr Melda Moffett attended in honour of their brother, BGS bequestor Douglas Moffett ’42. Former BGS Chairman Howard Stack ’62 and newly appointed OBA President Dr Michael Forrest ’87 spoke of the importance of the Society to the community, of maintaining an ongoing connection with the School and the power of philanthropy in assisting to deliver a quality educational experience.
2020 Long Lunch The 2020 Long Lunch will continue the celebration of community support for the School. A date will be set for the luncheon later this year. Mr Chris Price, long-serving Teacher of History and BGS Historian, will speak in the War Memorial Library about the School’s involvement in World War I and World War II.
For more information about leaving a bequest to the School and the difference your gift can make, please contact Petrina Gilmore for a confidential discussion.
T +61 7 3834 5748 E petrina.gilmore@brisbanegrammar.com 19
Petrina Gilmore Inma Fundraising Beaumont Executive Executive Director - Advancement & Community Relations Advancement and Community Relations
Petrina Gilmore
T +61 73834 5212 T +61 413 619 642 E inma.beaumont@brisbanegrammar.com
T +61 413 619 642 E petrina.gilmore@brisbanegrammar.com
E petrina.gilmore@brisbanegrammar.com
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Director of Advancement
