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 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.

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. 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.

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.