A culture of philanthropy

A culture of philanthropy

Brisbane Grammar School was established on principles of philanthropy. Old Boys, parents, students, the P&F Association and industry partners have generously committed to the School’s fundraising endeavours, helping to grow and reinforce a culture of philanthropy.

This culture of philanthropy was embedded before the School opened. In 1864, just five years after the Colony of Queensland was established, members of the Brisbane community began fundraising to create the township’s first secondary school.

The Grammar Schools Act 1860 granted any municipality able to raise £1000 an additional £2000 to build a school and provide ‘the advantages of a regular and liberal course of education’.

AJ Hockings was the first name on the subscription list, and by 1867 the fund held over £2000. On 29 February 1868, Prince Alfred laid the School’s foundation stone. The following year, Headmaster Thomas Harlin opened the School to students.

Over the next 150 years, philanthropy continued to play a fundamental role in improving school facilities and increasing access to a BGS education.

Headmaster Anthony Micallef said he is proud to be part of such a generous school community, who are so willing to donate financially and physically for the betterment of the School and its students.

“The investment of time, treasure and talent builds a sense of community at BGS, which has real benefits for students,” he said. “The role parents play in volunteering provides students with a strong awareness of cooperative spirit. In turn those students are likely to act ethically and altruistically, developing their social and emotional skills.”

“Over the past 25 years I have witnessed how parents, Old Boys and donors have contributed financial, human and social capital to the School. This has had an enduring impact on the community’s wellbeing. Our school prospers from the connections we make as we bond over shared values and endeavours.”

Read more about how philanthropy has made and continues to make a difference at BGS in the coming pages. Learn about how you can continue to support the School’s philanthropic endeavours.

BGS Timeline of Giving

1868

A public subscription list to raise funds to build a grammar school in Brisbane opened in 1864. Brisbane Grammar School was founded in 1868 and opened to students in 1869.

1916

Second Master Stuart Stephenson led the War Memorial Library appeal. A committee of BGS Old Boys raised £3,000 for the project, equating to over $150,000 today.

1948

One of the School’s earliest and greatest benefactors, Frank Walker, donated more than £11,000, equating to over $500,000 today. This funded a new gymnasium and contributed to the War Memorial Pool.

1950

Cobb and Co. donated funds for a bursary for deserving boys to be supported for four years of education.

1958

The Centenary Building appeal launched, aiming to raise $150,000. By 1968, the campaign had raised $500,000, about $4M today.

1960

The P&F supported a bursary to enable a boy to attend BGS.

1974

The BGS Rowing Shed opened after a committee of Old Boys, parents, Trustees and teachers raised $10,000.

1979

An Art Centre (Music) campaign raised $515,000.

1993

The Endowment Scholarship Fund (now Bursary Fund) was established to raise funds to provide bursaries. The fund grew to a base of $3M by 2004 through preserving enrolment confirmation fees.

1997

The Indoor Sports Centre campaign raised $2.6M of which the P&F Auxiliary provided $1.5M.

2001

A campaign for the BGS Art Centre raised $527,000. The major donors were the P&F Auxiliary which contributed $200,000 and the Art Committee (now Art Support Group) which contributed $100,000.

2007

The Lilley Centre campaign raised $6M, with the P&F Auxiliary contributing $1.5M.

2015

BGS received a donation of $1.4M from Old Boy Simon Fenwick '87 to fund a full boarding bursary for an Indigenous or regional student in financial need.

2017

The P&F Auxiliary contributed to the School's 2020 Campaign by pledging $500,000 to the Bursary Fund. Old Boy Matt McLennan '86 pledged US$500,000 towards the boarding fundraising campaign to build Junior and Senior boarding houses.

2018

An anonymous donor contributed $750,000 to the Bursary Fund to support a regional or Indigenous student. The P&F Auxiliary supported the War Memorial Library Appeal with a donation of $250,000 and BGS Old Boys’ Association donated $10,000. Old Boy David Malouf AO ’50 donated more than 50 artworks, including works from prominent Australian artists.

2019

An anonymous donor contributed $2.8M to the Bursary Fund for students in financial need. The P&F Auxiliary donated $500,000 towards upgrades to the Northgate Playing Fields.