PHILANTHROPY
The gift of opportunity
Almost six years ago, BGS Old Boy Simon Fenwick ’87 donated $1.34 million to Brisbane Grammar School. He felt strongly that the benefits he had received at the School should be extended to students less fortunate. Mr Fenwick is a founding partner of International Value Advisers in New York. He returned home to Australia to live in Sydney in 2014. His transformative gift to BGS established the Fenwick Bursary to support well-rounded Indigenous or regional boys keen to learn but lacking the financial means to attend the School. Indigenous student Stephen Baronio was the first to receive the bursary, starting Year 7 in 2015 as a boarder in Harlin House. Part of the Class of 2020 and Boarding Vice Captain, Stephen reflected on his time at BGS ahead of graduating in November. “I’m very grateful and very thankful for the opportunity that Mr Fenwick has given me to come to a school like this,” he said. “I am really making the most of my time here, doing everything I can and being involved in as
much as possible to make the most of the experience of being at this school.” “The impact for me of attending BGS on a bursary is massive; it’s life-changing. I don’t think you can realise the opportunities that a school like BGS offers until you’ve gone to school somewhere outside of Brisbane or somewhere rural.” Stephen said being part of the BGS Boarding community had given him endless opportunities for academic and personal growth. “Boarding has given me lots of close mates and allowed me to be involved in so much living on campus,” he said. “Having a constant support network around me – boarding staff and students – is a big advantage.” During a busy life as a student, Stephen involved himself in many sports, including cricket, volleyball, football and rugby. He also dedicated himself to the Public Purpose Committee and Closing the Gap Committee.
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