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.

A proud Kungarakan man, Stephen delivered several powerful speeches to the student body during his time at BGS, speaking at assemblies as part of Closing the Gap Day. He also participated in traditional dances with his fellow Indigenous students. “I was very nervous before my first few speeches, especially speaking to the older boys, but it was important for me to get involved and share my culture,” Stephen said. “I think it’s important to hold that heritage high and value it as important in society.”

Fenwick said giving students like Stephen the opportunity to attend BGS was the reason philanthropy is vital in Australia. “Philanthropy in education is critical, in my opinion, because it will help break the cycle of disadvantage that exists in parts of Australia,” he said. “We should be proud of our many Indigenous and regional sports stars, yet I believe we also need more role models in all aspects of society – teachers, doctors and engineers.” “Indigenous and regional kids are our most disadvantaged in terms of access to high-quality education. Australia is a vast continent, which is a blessing, yet we shouldn’t leave some kids behind.”

Fenwick said BGS had prepared him well for life after school and he continued to place a high value on teachers. “Good teachers inspire a lifelong love of learning,” he said. “I had some dedicated teachers, and I’ll always remember the ones that encouraged me to read and to be intellectually curious.”

“At BGS, we had a wide range of teachers, in terms of how they approached their classes. Some left us to figure it out ourselves, while some were more structured. Some teachers were quite stern; some had a great sense of humour. Just like the real world when you have a boss.” Stephen is aiming to study medicine at The University of Queensland in 2021. Read more about the BGS Bursary Fund at brisbanegrammar.com/giving.