Creating a Colourful Life

Finding the right school to educate their four sons seemed a challenging task for Rob and Catriona Labrom.

With no prior connections to Brisbane Grammar School, the family of six started an impromptu campus tour on the steps of the Great Hall. From that moment, the decision on the right school for their boys became easy.

The Labrom’s BGS journey began in 2011, when Fraser and Alexander (Sandy), started together at BGS in Year 8 and Year 6, respectively. Mitch started Year 6 in 2014 and George began Year 5 in 2015.

Catriona, who is a general practitioner, and Rob, who is an orthopaedic surgeon and Adjunct Professor QUT, reflect on their connection to BGS with fondness.

“Our expectations were not disappointed,” Catriona shared.

“2015 was a memorable year, when we had all four boys at the School at once – it was peak business coordinating all the extracurricular activity and other family events.

“The car seemed to be set on autopilot to BGS and Northgate as the two most common destinations,” she laughed.

The four Old Boys are now pursuing their areas of interest; Fraser is a doctor, Sandy works as a finance graduate in Melbourne after studying

Science and Commerce at UQ, Mitch is a medical student at UQ, and George is his second year of Advanced Business at UQ.

The family’s connection to the School remains strong even after their youngest son graduated.

As major donors to the STEAM Building Precinct, Rob and Catriona have their family name proudly and permanently placed on the Art Gallery, on the second floor of the precinct.

When asked why the precinct was so important, Rob and Catriona agreed STEAM typifies the ethos that is now well established in the “modern era” of teaching and learning.

“The ‘A’ in STEAM is for art, and as two scientists and medically minded people who have had more to do with the “STEM” over the years, we have learned to love the ‘A’ part of life and all that it brings to make a more meaningful, colourful existence.”

The couple said helping to fund the Gallery and Visual Learning Centre is an honour.

“Balance in life is very hard to find, and at times, we all feel there is something missing.

“Intellectual pursuits, sporting pursuits and even musical pursuits are all made richer and more human when art and visual enjoyment becomes a part of the experience.

“This realisation is probably something that occurs to you as life moves on – something that makes the human experience so unique and deeply creative,” shared Rob.

The couple want future generations of students to embrace what is on offer at BGS, just as their sons have.

“We hope they enjoy this space of learning and art, so a more ‘colourful life’ can be found, with few boundaries or limits.

“We are all in good hands with schools like BGS thanks to its ongoing focus on educating fine young citizens of the future.”