Farewell to BGS living legend

Farewell to BGS living legend

Ron Cochrane leaves behind an almost 40-year legacy at Brisbane Grammar School that has touched the lives of thousands of students and staff.

His decision to retire brings an end to a career at BGS that included 19 years as Head of Boarding and 20 years as Director of Sport. Consistent across his time at the School was his passion for the BGS and GPS communities.

His extensive BGS knowledge reflects not only the length of his service but also his genuine connection to, and fondness for, the School community.

Mr Cochrane enjoyed an incredible coaching record in cricket and rugby. Those who have been coached by him know his passion for schoolboy sport and his commitment to transforming boys into gentlemen through lessons of sport and competition.

His leadership of BGS Sport has positioned the School for future success. He has developed and led a high-achieving team of Directors and Head Coaches, instilling the importance of teamwork for the benefit of students.

Always learning and embracing positive change, Mr Cochrane was an innovator at BGS. His recent addition of a live weekly coaching commentary has reached his strong BGS Sport social media following. While parents and teachers appreciate his insights, the boys also follow ‘Ronnie’ to keep in touch with everything sport at BGS.

Mr Cochrane is a renowned connector of people. Should he discover your background or interests align with someone he knows, an introduction is arranged and soon you are talking to a new friend. His unparalleled ability to recall sporting moments and statistics of both students and professional sportsmen has endeared him to many.

Throughout the GPS100 celebrations in 2018, Mr Cochrane took a leading role in connecting people across all nine GPS schools, sharing stories, recounting historical moments and showcasing our history.

This was similarly the case in the leadup to the BGS150 celebrations, also in 2018. As a valuable member of the BGS Sesquicentenary History Committee, his rich historical knowledge laid the foundations for the Light Dark Blue publication.

Beyond his work, Mr Cochrane was a friend to many. Together with his wife Rhonda, who sadly passed away earlier this year, the Cochranes were an institution at BGS. They are parents to Old Boy Gareth Cochrane ’01 and Elizabeth Cochrane who attended BGGS.

To Mr Cochrane, we thank you for your service to Brisbane Grammar School. You are a living BGS legend.

Ron Cochrane is seeking to establish a full bursary to give boys the opportunity to attend the School. To support the Ron Cochrane Bursary, visit giving.brisbanegrammar.com and click on Bursary Fund and then Year Group Bursaries.