GN Summer 2023

Front

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Jagera people and the Turrbal people as the traditional custodians of the lands on which our school is located and where we meet, work, play and learn. We pay our respects to Jagera and Turrbal elders past, present and emerging.

Editorial Team

Page 14

A Literary Life

Grammar News CONTENTS

Page 24

Page 22

In Pursuit of Excellence

Outlook

Rahul Rises to the Top

Page 42

BGS to Brazil

Brisbane and beyond

For 150 years, Brisbane Grammar School has produced global citizens who have achieved success at state, national and international level. With the STEAM Precinct set to open in 2023, the face of the campus will be transformed forever as the School continues to innovate and prepare boys for a changing world.

A Global Outlook

Written by Anthony Micallef Headmaster

In 2022, students and staff enjoyed a relatively uninterrupted year at Brisbane Grammar School.

The freedom of the past 12 months also allowed the School to engage with Old Boys via well-attended OBA events in Brisbane, interstate and abroad.

Indeed, a key theme of 2022 was reconnection.

In August, I was fortunate to host alumni gatherings in London, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. I was privileged to catch up with Old Boys who have embarked on varied and successful careers overseas.

These Old Boys invariably maintain a strong emotional connection to BGS and are excited by the future direction of the School – particularly the educational philosophy underpinning the STEAM project.

After being grounded in Australia for two years, the overseas trip was a timely reminder of the breadth of the School’s Old Boy network.

This edition of Grammar News features articles that speak to the international

character and global outlook of our school community.

The cover story is of Old Boy David Malouf AO ’50, an internationally celebrated poet and novelist who describes himself as “one enduringly grateful student.”

Malouf’s story illustrates the lasting impact that BGS has on its alumni and the centrality of the School in Queensland society and culture.

There are articles about students succeeding on the world stage, and stories about a fashion entrepreneur, a veteran Australian diplomat who has worked in several countries in Europe and the Middle East, and Old Boys who have competed at the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

For decades, BGS has sent out to the world impressive young men who are diverse in thought as well as in background, and who are prepared to celebrate both their own individuality and the uniqueness of others.

Long may it continue.

News Snapshot

Running With The Best

BGS Old Boy and former School

Captain Jeremy Hunt ’16 was named in the Australian team for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Thailand in November. The selection capped off a big year for Jeremy, who was recognised as 2022 Brisbane Young Citizen of the Year and named as a finalist in the 2023 Queensland Young Australian of the Year for his work with The VacSeen Project.

STEAM Update

The STEAM Precinct is taking shape and an exciting new chapter for BGS is on the horizon. Supply chain issues continue to place pressure on the targeted commission of the building in Semester 2, 2023. When the building exterior is completed, the current internal fit out will accelerate. While construction is visible, staff are busy developing the STEAM curriculum and teaching practices that will further emphasise the School’s pursuit of excellence.

London Calling

After graduating with highest honours from the University of Pennsylvania, BGS Old Boy Ashmit Vyas ’17 accepted a place in the MSc Finance and Economics program at The London School of Economics and Political Science. During his time in the US, Vyas captained the university soccer team to a national championship, debated in Washington DC and attended lectures by President Joe Biden and best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell. He was also granted membership of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, an exclusive honour society which was founded in 1776 and celebrates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.

Giving Day

Together, the BGS community raised more than $1.5 million for Giving Day – exceeding our original target by 150 per cent. This generous community support for needs-based bursaries and the STEAM Precinct will shape the way the School educates BGS boys for decades to come. A special thanks to the Johnson family who gave $250,000 to name one of the STEAM collaboration hubs; Allan and Lyn Davies (The Dalara Foundation) who gave $150,000 to Indigenous bursaries; and the BGS P&F Auxiliary who gave $100,000 to STEAM. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped to spread the word.

Outdoor Education

BGS Old Boy and veteran Outdoor Education teacher Jon Hodges ’83 was made an Outdoor Education Australia (OEA) Fellow at the National Outdoor Education Conference in September 2022. The Fellowship is one of the highest honours in the industry and recognises exemplary contribution above and beyond any paid professional role.

Comments +

Cameron Marshall

Much deserved recognition for an outstanding contribution.

Ashley Hood

Such wonderful recognition of your leadership and passion for education.

Scott Harris

You and your team can be exceptionally proud of what you have building during your time at helm.

Matt Fedrick

Awesome recognition of consistency and great leadership.

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Setting the Benchmark

14/08/22 BGS Headmaster Anthony Micallef has been named Queensland’s most influential school leader in The Courier Mail Education Power List for 2022. BGS Chairman John Humphrey and Non-State Schools Accreditation Board director and former BGS Headmaster Brian Short were also named in the Top 50.

Comments +

Kade Greenland

Such a great film! Well done for capturing the magic of BGS.

Bridget Pearce

What a stunning production.

Mitchell Mills

Unreal production. Well done!

Carol Anne Rainbird

Excellent!

Sharne Tierney

This is great. Nailed it.

Samantha Harris

In Pursuit of Excellence

07/08/22 How do you measure excellence? In ATAR scores? NAPLAN results? Tertiary offers to world-class universities? At Brisbane Grammar School, excellence means so much more.

Great video and so proud to be a part of this community which has a diverse range of boys with different gifts, talents and aspirations which is celebrated.

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Business and Philanthropic Leader

09/07/22 Over the past 23 years, BGS Old Boy Brett Clark ’85 has revolutionised the pharmaceutical industry in Australia, establishing the only online pharmaceutical retailer in the country in 2000. Sadly, one of his three children, Olivia, passed away at six days of age in 2001. In memory of Olivia, the Clark family have raised over $1.8 million to help the Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit.

Comments

Andy Douglas

Inspiring work Brett and Maria.

Grant Torta

Proud of you Brett and your family.

Nick Hines

You’re a legend Clarky.

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Noble Career

25/10/22

Long-serving BGS

Music teacher Jim Noble will retire this year after 37 years of service to the School. Mr Noble held several roles in the Music Department and is a former Master-in-Charge of Basketball. He will be remembered for the care, compassion and commitment he showed generations of BGS boys.

Comments +

Derek Smith

A wonderful career, Mr Noble. Well done. Enjoy your retirement.

Nick O’Neill

37 years of influencing students is an incredible effort.

Ben Morris

Congrats on an amazing career Mr Noble!

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Oxford Opportunity National Recognition

08/07/22 Congratulations to BGS Old Boy Jack Greenwood ’16 who has been accepted to study a Master of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Oxford. Jack will depart for the UK later this year.

16/08/22 BGS Director of Orchestras Stephen Chin recently won a prestigious award at the Australian Strings Association national conference. Mr Chin is one of the School’s longest-serving teachers and has been pivotal in the growth of the BGS Music program.

Comments +

Stephen Howes

Wow! Good on you Jack. That’s a fantastic achievement.

Peter Fas

Congratulations to Jack and well deserved!

Laila Casey-Walsh

A sincere congratulations.

Wesley Kumbundu

That’s awesome. Congratulations!

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Comments 78 Shares 9

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Cindy Watkin

Good to see AUSTA giving due recognition to this amazingly committed educator.

Jarrod Schindler

A national treasure!

Kenneth Briggs

Such an inspiring legacy.

Tony Robertson Well deserved.

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Gymnastics

BGS Gymnastics continued its dominance of the GPS competition, bringing home the title for the 12th consecutive year. BGS set the benchmark once again in 2022 thanks to tremendous individual and team achievements. Many BGS gymnasts competed at regional, state and national events and were part of winning the state club championships.

Fencing

BGS Fencing had a fantastic season in 2022, winning the QFA Brisbane Schools Teams Competition. 181 fencers took to the piste and of the 37 teams, BGS won seven gold, nine silver and eight bronze. BGS Primary Internal Fixtures allowed 46 students from Years 5 and 6 experience fencing with the full range of weapons, while some senior fencers put together friendly internal fixtures through Term 3. We also had very pleasing results in state and national competitions.

Basketball

More than 400 BGS boys participated in an excellent season of GPS Basketball in 2022. Additionally, BGS Basketball ran a very successful inter-school competition where boys were able to participate in friendly fixtures among members of their cohort.

Football

BGS Football had another bumper year of participation and performance, with more than 600 boys representing the light dark blue and 470 attending the holiday camp. BGS teams won seven out of eight rounds of GPS fixtures this season with 61 wins, 14 draws and 47 losses.

Rugby

BGS fielded 17 rugby teams in 2022. Our First XV proved to be highly competitive, playing some great rugby over the course of the season. Captain Ryan Shaw was awarded the Senior Player of the Year and Elijah Breen the Junior Player of the Year. Charlie McCauley and Ryan Shaw both gained selection in the Queensland Under 18s, Will Pascoe in the Queensland Under 16s and Max Romer in the Queensland Under 15s.

Cross Country Tennis Track and Field

The BGS Cross Country squad had another very rewarding season, with continued strong participation in the program and excellent numbers in attendance at training and meets. Promising young talent in the squad combined well with more experienced runners resulting in numerous successes and improved overall standings at the GPS Championships.

In 2022, BGS Tennis was the most successful program in the GPS competition with a win rate of 86 per cent and 14 premiership winning teams – 11 of them being undefeated. A major highlight of the season was the First VI winning the GPS Premiership for the second consecutive year. Kanika Jayathilake was Captain and Oscar Tan was Vice Captain.

The BGS Track and Field squad showed great determination and spirit in the 2022 Track and Field Championships, held in October at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. The Junior Team started the day strongly and finished in second place. The Senior Team showed resilience, pride and fortitude, with a strong performance by Captain Alex Thakur who finished second in the 400m Hurdles.

Chess

BGS Chess secured premierships in eight out of 12 divisions in the GPS competition and were runners up in the Premier division. The BGS Premier Team were finalists in the Queensland Interschool Chess Championship, finishing in third place.

A Literary Life

A century ago, as Australia recovered from World War I, BGS Old Boy Lieutenant Hector Dinning ’06 wrote a letter to The Bulletin advocating for a “distinctively Australian” brand of literature.

Mr Dinning, an author of two books about his war service in the battlefields of Europe and the Middle East, predicted that Australia would soon produce writers capable of capturing the young nation’s outlook and

its characteristics.

“We have been too distracted getting ourselves settled, fighting for a crust, gaining a foothold in virgin land and founding cities to settle down to Letters,” Mr Dinning wrote. “But the time will come when the habit of literary activity will be achieved, too.”

Mr Dinning died in 1941, aged 54, but his literary desire would be fulfilled in large part by another BGS Old Boy, David Malouf AO.

David Malouf AO, one of Australia’s best-known authors, was a student at BGS from 1947 to 1950

No writer is more celebrated in the Antipodes than Malouf.

– Ihab Hassan

During the second half of the 20th century, Malouf wrote dozens of books, short stories, essays, poems, plays and libretti, many of them winning national and international awards.

He is the only Australian to have won the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, a prestigious biennial award for poets, novelists and playwrights.

His nominating juror, the Arab American literary theorist Ihab Hassan, noted that Malouf helped introduce international readers to the “new cadences” and “fresh feelings” of a uniquely Australian English.

“No writer is more celebrated in the Antipodes than David Malouf,” wrote Hassan, adding that Malouf “serves as a measure of literary value everywhere.”

Malouf’s first novel, Johnno, was published in 1975. He wrote the final manuscript 50 years ago, in Italy, after a decade of failed attempts to get the story down in print.

Despite Malouf’s physical

distance from Australia, Johnno was an effort to bring Brisbane to life and put his hometown on the map.

“We had almost no literature of our own that we could identify with,” Malouf said. “When we read Henry Lawson, or Banjo Patterson, that was about a kind of Australian that had nothing to do with the urban Australians we were.”

Through the lives of the characters Dante and Johnno, Malouf drew a vivid portrait of our subtropical city. Even after all these years, Malouf’s Brisbane still exists powerfully in the minds of readers, resonant for its natural beauty but also its cloying familiarity.

“One of the things that happens in that book is that Brisbane becomes the third major character,” he explained. “And the relationship with Brisbane that Johnno has on and off – that I have on and off – is something that holds the whole book together.”

When I was at school, I wanted to be a composer of music; then I wanted to be an actor. I also always wrote.

Johnno is often heralded by critics as the classic Brisbane novel, and was recently featured in the ABC television series, ‘Books That Made Us’.

“Johnno, to anyone in Brisbane, is the gospel,” declares journalist and best-selling author Trent Dalton.

The story unfolds after Dante discovers a photo of “the class madcap” Johnno – based loosely on BGS Old Boy John Milliner ’50 – in an old school magazine.

And so, Malouf’s vast body of work begins at Brisbane Grammar School, among the Great Hall, the War Memorial Library, the New Building, and the “tree planted in the grounds by a Royal Duke, the son of Queen Victoria.”

The semi-autobiographical novel even mentions a legendary former BGS teacher, Mr ‘Soapy’

Allen, who taught Chemistry with flair and mild eccentricity.

As a student at BGS, Malouf immediately demonstrated his precocious talent, graduating in 1950 with prizes for Latin, English, Ancient History and Modern History.

In 1948, he won the School’s inaugural Thomas Thatcher Memorial Prize for the best short story. He won it again in 1949, and to this day remains the only student to have won the award twice.

Some of Malouf’s earliest creative work – including a prizewinning short story, an essay and a neat drawing – were published in the School’s literary magazine, The School Window

“When I was at school, I wanted to be a composer of music; then I wanted to be an actor. I also

Above David Malouf with Headmaster Anthony Micallef and Suzy Wilson of Riverbend Books.

Below Earth Hour was launched in 2014 in the BGS Great Hall.

always wrote,” Malouf recalled.

“That short story which won the first of the Thatcher prizes, I wrote that when I was 13.”

Malouf, now 88 years old, still holds strong memories of his time at BGS and is a generous donor to the School.

The David Malouf AO Gallery, in The Lilley Centre, features a valuable collection of artworks

that Malouf gifted to BGS in 2015.

Perhaps his greatest gift, though, is Johnno, a timeless tribute to the intensity of the relationships he formed all those years ago at BGS.

“I still have a very, very strong sentimental relationship to the school, because I was so grateful for the four years I had there, which were absolutely idyllic,”

Malouf said.

“I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to have spent my education, both in terms of the teachers, who were so good, and in terms of the amazing camaraderie of the boys.”

A camaraderie that helped produce Brisbane’s signature novel, and one of Australia’s finest men of Letters.

I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to have spent my education.

A vision of the future

BGS student author and activist Jasper Chin Moody believes young people’s stories can change the world.

At a UNESCO online roundtable held on World Literacy Day in September 2022, Jasper spoke about his latest book, The Sustainable Worlds: Stanley and EPIC, and reiterated his support for the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“My book talks about the

little things that can make the SDGs real,” Jasper said. “Rather than choosing one SDG, I chose all of them, and had my characters Stanley and EPIC visit worlds where the SDGs had become a reality.”

The speaking engagement is the latest milestone for Jasper, who over the past three years has written two books for the United Nations’ Voices of Future Generations Children’s Book Series.

The Sustainable Worlds: Stanley and EPIC is a sequel to Jasper’s first book which introduced readers to Dr Jane the “crazy genius” engineer, nine-year-old Stanley, and his best friend, a shapeshifting, cybernetically intelligent computer named EPIC.

Together, Stanley and EPIC stand up to school and corporate bullies and pursue direct action in service of the environment.

Both books are beautifully illustrated by Celia Tan and use the power of storytelling to help young readers imagine a better and more sustainable future.

“I wanted to share the message that, in my view, meeting the SDGs really only takes two things: a vision of the future, and a willingness to accept the necessity of change – even if it is uncomfortable,” Jasper said.

“I believe that many young people already have a positive attitude for change. By telling our stories, we can help show that change is possible and, indeed, inevitable.”

As a committed but quietly spoken environmental campaigner, Jasper’s writing has taken that message to a global audience.

The Stanley and EPIC series has been favourably received by politicians, climate and gender equity campaigners and leaders of major businesses and environmental organisations.

In a preface to Jasper’s first book, Federal Senator Sarah Hanson-Young commended him for delivering “a powerful message of hope for a cleaner and kinder world with a story about friendship and collective responsibility.”

The positive feedback and celebrity endorsements have been “amazing”, Jasper said.

“It was pretty awesome that someone like this would care enough to write a preface for the book. I hope that people take the message of sustainability and also standing up for what you believe in. Because no matter how big or small you are, you can always make a difference.”

Jasper and his younger brother, Oliver, commenced at BGS at the beginning of 2022, continuing a family tradition that stretches back four generations.

The influence of Jasper’s parents is clear in his environmental advocacy. His father, Old Boy James Chin Moody ’93, is the co-founder and

CEO of carbon-neutral courier service Sendle and co-author of a book on innovation in a resourcelimited world; his mother Geraldine is an ethical business leader and impact investor.

Jasper’s writing borrows from several themes in his personal life, including learning about sustainable homes and environmental initiatives such as Reef Aid, and the impact of change on people and communities.

Having lived in three different cities in Australia and the US since 2019, Geraldine said both boys have quickly adjusted to life in Queensland.

“During the Sydney lockdown in 2021, we were on holidays in Brisbane and decided to stay so the boys could attend BGS –even though my work is based in Sydney and James’s company is headquartered in Seattle,” she said.

“Jasper and Oliver are both settled at BGS. School activities such as Robotics, Music, and Public Purpose have given them a real sense of belonging in Brisbane.”

Jasper Chin Moody Student Success

I believe that many young people already have a positive attitude for change. By telling our stories, we can help show that change is possible and, indeed, inevitable.

- Jasper Chin Moody

In Pursuitof Excellence

The rollout of Brisbane Grammar School’s new tagline was a resounding success, prompting an overwhelmingly positive response from the BGS community.

The tagline, In Pursuit of Excellence, was accompanied by a new microsite on the BGS

website and the release of a promotional video screened in cinemas across Brisbane.

The campaign and video reached BGS community members at home and abroad, with hundreds of enthusiastic comments on social media and messages to the School.

One of the best school videos I’ve ever seen; it gave me goosebumps.

- Justin Beirne

A wonderful explanation of what you do and how you do it at BGS.

- Fiona Rollason

First revealed in the Winter 2022 edition of Grammar News, the tagline is the first of its kind for BGS and complements the School motto, nil sine labore – nothing without work.

The tagline and campaign connects current students with diverse Old Boy career outcomes and showcases generations of achievement in academics, cocurricular engagement and commitment to student wellbeing.

As highlighted in the In Pursuit of Excellence campaign, BGS graduates continue their pursuit of excellence as they progress through university and embark on careers.

Learn more and watch the video at: brisbanegrammar.com/in-pursuit-of-excellence.

An inspiring video – I was very moved. The tagline is perfect too.

- Nadene Whittome

A fantastic video that shows the School is about so much more than just academics.

- Josh Trappett

Developing Global Citizens

Brisbane Grammar School is a distinctively Queensland institution with a global reach and a growing international reputation.

It is distinctive thanks to its storied history in Brisbane and by virtue of its unique secular tradition, decreed by the state parliament in the Grammar Schools Act of 1860.

It has a global reach due to its alumni, who for decades have achieved success on the world stage in business, academia, medicine, finance, engineering, the arts and sport.

This vast network of Old Boys, along with the School’s outstanding academic outcomes, has helped BGS establish an international reputation for excellence.

BGS has produced no fewer than 17 Rhodes Scholars, from Queensland’s first Rhodes Scholar in 1904, Old Boy Arthur Roe ‘03, to 2020 Rhodes Scholar, Old Boy Nicholas Salmon ’12.

For more than a century, it has been something of a rite of passage for high-achieving Old Boys to study and work in the United Kingdom.

In recent years, though, Old Boys have increasingly looked

to continue their education and build their careers in the United States and the rising economies of Asia.

Wherever they have gone, BGS alumni have maintained their connection to the School through family networks, reunions and donations.

According to BGS Historian and Archivist Chris Price, one of the earliest ways in which Old Boys stayed in touch with the School was by writing letters for publication in the BGS Magazine.

“When BGS established the magazine in 1898, the editor invited Old Boys to submit

articles about their travels and adventures overseas,” Mr Price said.

“The first published letter, in 1898, was from an Old Boy exploring Central Africa. In later editions, there are despatches from Old Boys who witnessed bull fights in Spain, trekked across the Americas, and from those who saw action in both World Wars.”

The letters often relayed fond memories of teachers and fellow Old Boys and expressed great affection for the School.

In the June 1934 edition, for instance, Old Boy Fitzgerald

Vincent ’29 wrote of touring Japan with a rugby side made up of university graduates from around Australia.

He described getting together with several touring BGS Old Boys at a farewell function in Osaka to deliver the School war cry.

“I wonder whether this was the first occasion that the BGS war cry had been heard in Japan?” wrote Vincent.

Nearly 50 years later, in 1983, BGS forged a twin-schools agreement with the Seifu Gakuen School in Osaka, its first formal relationship with a foreign school.

One of the first BGS boys to go on exchange was 1985 School Captain Daniel Botsman. He was already a keen student of the Japanese language, but the trip helped turn the study of Japanese society and culture into his guiding intellectual passion.

After graduating, Botsman completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Asian Studies at the Australian National University and in 1992 was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.

He finished his postgraduate studies in England and the US and, after a stint teaching at Hokkaido University, now teaches subjects on Japan as Professor of History at Yale University.

Botsman recounted this journey from BGS to Headmaster Anthony Micallef as he treated Mr Micallef to a tour of the Yale campus in New Haven.

Botsman’s story is just one example of the way in which BGS has nurtured the passions

of generations of boys who wear the light dark blue

It is also illustrative of the School’s desire to develop global citizens who are engaged in the world beyond Brisbane.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed international travel, BGS organised for students to attend various international young leadership summits throughout Asia, and annual service trips to Cambodia for Year 10 boys.

Today, Mr Micallef sits on the Board of Trustees of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition, ensuring staff and students have the opportunity to contribute to the latest educational research and collaborate with overseas partners.

As the world reopens following the worst of the pandemic, BGS will continue to reconnect with its overseas alumni and encourage its students to achieve on the international stage.

Working for a Safer World

In September 2021, Australia signed a technology-sharing partnership with two of its closest allies, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The most ambitious aspect of the partnership, known as AUKUS, is the plan for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Just six countries currently operate nuclear submarines: China, France, India, Russia, the USA and the UK. Unlike Australia, each of these countries also possesses nuclear weapons.

The AUKUS partnership will result in a significant upgrade of the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine fleet and has been widely interpreted as a response to great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific region.

Unsurprisingly, AUKUS was immediately denounced by China. Other critics queried why a nation that has never held

nuclear ambitions should want nuclear submarines.

As a result, the role of Australia’s Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation took on extra significance. The diplomat appointed to the position in January 2022 was BGS Old Boy Ian Biggs ’80, a senior public servant with decades of experience in global affairs.

Biggs’s job, in part, is to confirm on the world stage that Australia’s procurement of nuclear-powered submarines does not change its dedication to nuclear non-proliferation.

“It has become clear, after the AUKUS announcement and now after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that Australia needs dedicated effort on arms control and counter-proliferation,” Biggs told Grammar News

“By acquiring conventionally armed submarines with a different propulsion system, Australia is not, in any way, changing our commitment to a world without weapons of mass destruction.”

Biggs’s journey to this important position with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) began at BGS, where he honed his public speaking skills and his interest in public policy in debating.

“Grammar had – and I’m sure still has – a great respect for learning, for study, for hard work.

It had an enormous influence on me,” Biggs, a former School Vice Captain, said.

“I went to Grammar on a Trustees’ Scholarship, so I was conscious that it was a privilege. I look back very fondly on my time at school.

“I had a really excellent Modern History teacher called Cec Munns, who encouraged hard thinking on current policy issues around the world.”

In the four decades since graduating from BGS with 10 Speech Day prizes, Biggs has lived and worked in many countries in Europe and the Middle East, beginning in 1981 with archaeological fieldwork in Jordan as a student at The University of Sydney.

A fluent Arabic speaker, Biggs has held several diplomatic roles abroad and served as the Australian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (2005-08), Turkey (2011-14), and Iran (2016-19). He was also chief of staff at the

International Atomic Energy Agency (2002-04).

In Saudi Arabia, his responsibilities included strengthening trade between the two nations, and rebuilding community morale among Australian expats in the period after 9/11.

In Turkey, a priority was to organise the Gallipoli commemorations each year during the lead-up to the Centenary of Anzac.

In Iran, Biggs was involved in the Australian Government effort to free Australian academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who was imprisoned for two years on a baseless charge of espionage.

In Dr Moore-Gilbert’s book, The Uncaged Sky: My 804 Days in

an Iranian Prison, she writes that Biggs patiently answered her questions during a meeting in the notorious Evin prison despite the guards insisting that he leave.

Dr Moore-Gilbert also credits Biggs for bringing her a Farsi dictionary so she could learn the language – something she said gave her “a reason to get up in the morning.”

In his current job, a pressing concern for Biggs is to continue Australia’s international outreach ahead of the government’s decision in March 2023 on the optimal pathway for the nuclearpowered submarines.

After such a peripatetic existence, Biggs said he is glad to be living in Australia once again, though he still maintains

an extensive travel schedule. In 2022, he made no fewer than than 26 international visits as Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation.

“It has been a real privilege to represent the Australian people and the Australian Government in many different places,” Biggs said.

“Any time that you’re at an international meeting and lean into the microphone to speak for Australia is a moment of real pride.

“I’ve had a fascinating career, and I would encourage any of the current cadre of senior students at Grammar with an interest in global affairs and international issues to consider the foreign service as a career.”

Any time that you’re at an international meeting and lean into the microphone to speak for Australia is a moment of real pride.

All about the Work

Twenty-six years ago, BGS Old Boy David Weightman ’88 teamed up with Perth oarsman Rob Scott to win a silver medal in the Senior Coxless Pair at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

In doing so, Weightman became the first BGS alumni to win an Olympic medal in rowing, and one of a select few to win a medal in any discipline. Yet Weightman, now 51, believes what happened after the race is of equal significance.

Both men have since built successful careers in the corporate world, with Scott now Chief Executive Officer of Wesfarmers, and Weightman an Executive Director at Macquarie Bank.

The rigours of rowing, Weightman said, instilled in him characteristics such as teamwork, discipline and resilience – all of which have been invaluable to the “main game” of life after sport.

“A successful rowing career is not all gold medals and glory; sometimes it feels like you’re lurching from one disaster to another. The resilience you gain from that is invaluable,” he said.

“One of the good things about rowing is that it’s an amateur sport, so you can never kid yourself that you’re going to make any money out of it.

“People told me from very early on to use rowing as a means to an end, which was really good advice. Even when I was competing at the Olympics I was studying and working at the same time.”

During his final year at BGS, Weightman played rugby for the First VX in winter and rowed with the First VIII in summer.

“If I didn’t go to Grammar, I probably wouldn’t have taken up rowing, but it combined well with my schoolwork because you need to be organised, you need

to turn up on time, you need to be disciplined and you need to work in a team,” he said.

“In rowing, there’s a really good correlation between effort expended at training and results – more so than other sports.

“To be a good rugby player you need a bit of magic, whereas in

rowing its more about your work ethic. And that’s encouraging, because the harder you work the better you get.”

For that reason, Weightman is adamant that rowing is a perfect reflection of the School’s motto, nil sine labore – nothing without work.

“Rowing is part of the culture and the fabric of Brisbane Grammar School – it’s all about the work. You will not get anywhere in rowing if you don’t work hard,” he said.

It’s a message that Weightman has passed on to his four sons –David ’18, Hugh ’20, Drew ’21 and

‘88

Ned (Year 12) – as they followed in his footsteps at BGS.

All four boys made the First VIII in Year 11, and Hugh and Drew were both part of the First VIII crew that won the GPS Head of the River in 2020.

As president of the Tipperoo rowing support group at BGS, Weightman is proud of the new generation of rowers emerging from what he admits has been lean period for the School’s rowing program.

“Grammar’s results in rowing haven’t been as good as perhaps they could be, but we have a really good rate of producing boys who have gone on to represent Queensland and Australia,” he said.

One of the standout performers is Old Boy Patrick ‘Paddy’ Holt ’16, who represents Australia in the Men’s VIII while also studying at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Holt, 23, graduated from UTS with a Bachelor of Business in 2021 before commencing another degree in Engineering and Science at the same university.

Although Weightman remains the only BGS Old Boy to win an Olympic medal in rowing, he sees great potential in Holt, who, like him, won the J.M. ‘Jack’ Kortlang Award for Best Oarsman at BGS.

“At Grammar you learn the benefits of keeping up the schoolwork, so it’s good to see Paddy is doing well in both rowing and university,” said Weightman.

“It would be great to see someone like Paddy go one better than me and win gold sooner rather than later.”

David Weightman

Left Old Boy David Weightman

(far left) on the podium with Rob Scott at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games

Rahul Rises to the Top

BGS student Rahul Kumar has been selected for a prestigious educational program backed by a former CEO of Google and the charity which oversees the Rhodes Scholarship.

Rahul is one of just 100 Global Winners to be chosen in 2022 for Rise, which identifies and supports exceptional young people as they work to serve others.

As a result, Rahul will now have access to a lifetime of benefits through scholarships, mentorship, career development opportunities and funding.

“I saw a video for Rise on social media and decided to apply,” Rahul said. “One of the benefits is that I will receive funding to go overseas for three weeks to attend a summit with other Rise participants.”

Rise was founded in 2019 by US-based philanthropic organisation Schmidt Futures, and The Rhodes Trust, based at The University of Oxford.

Eric Schmidt, a former CEO of Google, described the program as “a grand experiment” to see if supporting a cohort of brilliant teenagers can produce a network of changemakers capable of

solving the most pressing global issues.

Rahul is a two-time winner of the School’s TC Baker-Finch Memorial Prize for Computing, and one of just four Australian students to win a Rise scholarship.

With a passion for software development, he has also created the EmSafe app to help marginalised communities access healthcare services.

“My family likes to do road trips around Australia, and what I’ve seen is that in many places there is very limited information for people about how to call emergency services,” Rahul explained.

“In Victoria, for example, the government-run app, Emergency Plus, only works in Australia and only supports three or four languages.”

Headmaster Anthony Micallef congratulated Rahul and encouraged him to make the most of the opportunity.

“This is a wonderful achievement and a fitting reward for Rahul’s hard work and commitment to study,” Mr Micallef said.

“Thousands of people from around the world apply for this

program, so Rahul now has an incredible opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s brightest young minds.

“As we prepare for the opening of the new STEAM Precinct, Rahul’s achievement is a reminder of the quality of students we have here at Brisbane Grammar School.”

The Rise scholarship puts Rahul, the eldest of three brothers at BGS, in a good position as he enters his final year of school in 2023.

Born in London to a Malaysian father and an Australian mother from Toowoomba, Rahul takes inspiration from his older sister, who is studying a PhD at The University of Oxford.

While he hopes to one day work in software engineering, for now he is focused on getting the best marks possible in Year 12.

“A lot of software engineering jobs are changing as new technologies are invented, so I will see where the future takes me,” Rahul said.

“I don’t have a particular university in mind just yet, but I’m looking here in Australia and also overseas. I’m originally from the UK, so I’d like to go back there.”

This is a wonderful achievement and a fitting reward for Rahul’s hard work and commitment to study.

- Anthony Micallef

Music

Written by Peter Ingram Head of Music

After two years of disruption and disappointment, it was a joy for BGS musicians to present a series of concerts in 2022, each with its own flavour and highlight.

The pleasure and satisfaction of both performers and audience members felt almost as if they were gathering for the first time.

Much could be said about the phenomenal Grammar Community in Concert, held in May 2022 at the Queensland

Conservatorium of Music. The high standard of performance was illustrative of the talent and commitment of our senior musicians.

The journey to performing at this level begins in the Year 5 Immersion Program. At the beginning of each year, all Year 5 students are strategically assigned a musical instrument which is theirs for the year.

Under the expert guidance of the music staff, boys learn music through doing. They learn the theory behind the music –where to put their fingers on the instrument and how to blow/ strike/bow it. The result, over time, is something to behold. At the end of the year, they come together to form various

ensembles which entertain enthralled audiences. BGS is one of very few schools that can boast a Year 5 Symphony Orchestra.

For all of that, however, the worth of this new musical beginning is not the quality of the performance but the confidence it engenders in the boys. It is the buzz of energy you feel as they arrive for their lesson. It is the curiosity and excitement on their faces as they slowly overcome the challenges of a new instrument. It is the pride they show when they successfully play a solo, and the comradeship they experience when they make music with their peers for the first time.

There is an even bigger picture to behold. The staff observe how boys blossom and become more confident as a result of their musical journey. They see boys who would barely speak become confident and bubbly young men. They observe boys who once tried to hide find the confidence to perform solos.

One of the people responsible for these new musical beginnings is himself about to embark on a new beginning. After 37 years of service to the School, BGS Principal Brass Teacher and Band Director Jim Noble is retiring.

Since making his announcement, Mr Noble has been overwhelmed by the gratitude and warmth expressed towards him by current and former students. They acknowledge his ability to quietly nurture their talent and help them discover their true selves.

It will come as no surprise that when asked what he will miss most about teaching, Mr Noble’s immediate response was, “The boys”.

Rest assured Jim, they will miss you too.

Dramatic Productions

Written by Ben Newth Acting Head of Drama

The 2022 Dramatic Productions showcased exciting, thoughtprovoking theatre.

Senior dramatic production Years 11 and 12 students embraced the challenge of staging the Senior Dramatic Production amid severe weather events and the delayed start to the school year. The production, Lord of the Flies, is about integrity, morality, and where your compass would point if there were no rules. The

cast and crew persevered and showed integrity in balancing the demands of this performance with their senior studies, cocurricular pursuits and student leadership positions.

Junior dramatic production

A talented cast of Years 9 and 10 students took on the challenge of presenting Dennis Kelly’s gritty text, DNA. The show includes themes such as empathy, community and violence. The production enabled the cast to portray nuanced and sophisticated characters, while also managing the serious content with maturity and sensitivity, demonstrating a levelheadedness beyond their years.

Middle school dramatic production

The Middle School production, Journey to Awedon, sought to remind Middle School students (and audiences) that young people are capable of writing their own stories. The characters in this production are independent, steadfast and empathetic, which mirrors the very best qualities that we see in BGS boys. The cast of 23 Middle School students (Years 5 to 8) were the perfect mixture of enthusiasm and creative intent. Students developed important ensemble skills and were integral in bringing the world of ‘Awedon’ to life.

Developing Student Athletes

Written by Adam Bloch Head of Performance Development

In September 2019, BGS Deputy Headmaster Cocurricular Greg Thorne gave what was then known as the Athletic Department a simple instruction: “be better”.

It was a challenge that is in keeping with the School’s determination to continually pursue excellence in every area.

It has been my job, over the past two and a half years, to find ways to improve upon what was already a very good development program.

What we came up with was the Performance Development Program, which physically develops BGS students for

lifelong participation in sport and success in GPS competition.

I believe the program’s point of difference can be attributed to two things: staff and systems.

Our staff are energetic professionals with experience working with GPS students and elite athletes from a range of sports.

They bring expertise from working in elite academies, national sporting organisations and professional clubs.

Performance Development coaches are employed at BGS in skill-specific positions on a full-time basis, allowing them to dedicate their time to hundreds

of boys across the Cocurricular program.

They specialise in collecting data from training, teaching BGS boys foundational movement skills and injury rehabilitation.

The quality of staff we have been able to attract has allowed us to evolve our systems and substantially increase our output.

We understand that most students will participate in outside activities – whether it be club and representative sport or working out at corporate gyms – but there is no better place for developing athletes than BGS.

We are fortunate to have one of the best-resourced performance development departments in Australia, with fantastic facilities and programs.

Each BGS boy will progress through a succession of two-year windows as they move from Year 5 to Year 12.

That six-year sequence puts boys in the best position to choose Senior Performance Development in Physical Education and potentially play in flagship BGS teams in Year 11 and Year 12.

Adam Bloch Head of Performance Development

Prior to transitioning into youth development, I worked on the physical preparation of AFL athletes and the rehabilitation of Olympic and Paralympic swimmers in the lead-up to the London 2012 games. Since commencing at BGS, it has been exciting to lead the evolution of this department as we aim to build Australia’s best Performance Development Program.

Sophie Pidcock Injury Management

Sophie joined BGS after many years working in Strength and Conditioning roles in the GPS system, the Queensland Reds Super W side and the Australia Women’s Rugby national team. Sophie works closely with BGS boys on injury management and rehabilitation, liaising with allied health professionals to ensure students have the best possible care.

Lara

Ponsi

Strength and Conditioning Assistant

Lara holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences from The University of Queensland, and an Australian Strength and Conditioning Coaching Accreditation. Lara leads the delivery of strength training programs and works extensively with flagship BGS teams in Swimming, Cricket and Basketball.

Nathan Parnham

Director of Strength and Conditioning

Nathan has extensive experience in school and professional sporting environments, setting up Strength and Conditioning programs at three schools and working with NRL club Parramatta Eels and the Australia Women’s Rugby Sevens side in preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Nathan is also the author of The Sporting Parent, a go to manual to help parents and their children navigate their way through youth sport.

Grant Cole

Foundations of Performance Development

Grant comes to BGS with a background in working with professional athletes and GPS students. He is the Head of Performance for Brisbane Broncos feeder club, Souths Logan Magpies, and was formerly Head of Performance at Melbourne Storm feeder club, Easts Tigers. Grant is in charge of overseeing the athletic development of boys in Years 7 to 10 via the Hercules and Foundations of Performance Development Programs.

Matt Carlon Data Collection and Management

Matt recently joined BGS after a career working at the Victorian Institute of Sport and as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for AFL club Richmond Tigers, Hockey Australia and Netball Australia. Matt’s focus at BGS is sports science and data management, bringing data presentation to life in Cocurricular.

BGS Old Boy Alan Wu ’01 has used his Speech Day address to encourage students to consider their good fortune and seek out ways in which they can make society fairer.

“Life isn’t fair, but we can work to make it fairer,” he said, adding that “blindness to our own advantages is often accompanied by a blindness to the disadvantages of others.”

BGS Speech Day, held on Wednesday 16 November 2022, attracted a capacity audience of students, parents and staff to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

Wu, a lawyer and communitysector board member, was one of several distinguished speakers which also included Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Humphrey, Headmaster Anthony Micallef and School Captain Hamish Moss.

“An education from this place means there’s virtually no limit to your journeys,” Wu said. “What a gift to look ahead and see almost boundless opportunity.”

In the two decades since he graduated from BGS, Wu – a gay man and son of Chinese immigrants – has been a tireless champion for inclusion.

After recently retiring as the longest-serving director of Oxfam Australia, Wu now serves as chair of Australia’s largest youthrun international development organisation, Oaktree. He is also a director of social justice organisations Democracy in Colour and the Victorian Pride Centre.

Rather than focus on his considerable achievements, Wu reflected on the people and circumstances that enabled him to succeed.

In a thought-provoking speech,

Beyond Grammar’s Gates

he invited the boys to consider the “big and changing world beyond Grammar’s gates”.

“Over the years we spend at Grammar – figuratively and literally at the top of the hill – it is too easy to slip into thinking that we are entitled to the advantages an education here provides and reinforces,” he said.

“But we are not deserving, more than anyone else, of the strokes of good luck and circumstance that will allow us to learn and to work hard and to navigate the world in ways that others simply cannot.

“Instead, we should regard these advantages as bestowing an obligation on us, those most able to influence our society’s story.

“A duty to give life to the solidarity that arises when we reflect on the luck of parents and patronage. To further the successes and remedy the failures of those who’ve come before. To replenish the frontlines of progress in the struggles that define a generation.

“And to conceive of this responsibility not as one of charity but one of justice.”

From the OBA President

Written by

Cameron Feltham ’86 BGSOBA President

A key objective of the Old Boys’ Association Committee is to work effectively with the School and related BGS groups in the planning of events.

To that end, I have met with the presidents of the P&F Association and P&F Auxiliary to discuss the opportunity to strengthen the connection between the OBA and the wider BGS community.

One of the topics often raised by parents through the P&F is the opportunity for new graduates and younger Old Boys to engage with the “Old Boy network”.

These opportunities exist through Brisbane Grammar Connect, a platform for Old Boys to connect, offer mentoring services or request assistance.

I have personally had the opportunity to mentor younger Old Boys through this platform and encourage all Old Boys to register if they have not done so already.

Coaching and mentoring students while developing leadership and organisational skills is a fantastic opportunity that new graduates should embrace.

It also provides an important resource for the School and creates a strong cultural link to the younger generations of BGS students.

The BGS Business Breakfasts, coordinated

by Simon Tolhurst ’87, are another opportunity for Old Boys to establish networks within the OBA community.

The most recent breakfast, on 14 September, was a full house with 170 guests attending to gain an insight into the current South East Queensland property market.

The outstanding panel of Chris Titley ’98 (Morgans), Kevin Stanley (Commonwealth Bank), Damian Winterburn ’99 (Boulder Capital) and Chris Butters ’00 (CBRE) covered a broad range of topics.

In late July, we hosted the Milestone Reunions for the Classes of 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012.

Some of the year groups took up the offer of a ‘Row-Union’ hosted by the Brisbane Grammarians Rowing Club. Congratulations to Ben Cameron and the 1992 Old Boys who managed to pull together two squads for a morning row and a sprint race.

Many Old Boys attended a school tour on the afternoons of Friday 29 July and Saturday 30 July. I had the privilege of attending both afternoons and sharing in the celebrations of catching up with old friends.

In 2023, we will host these reunions on the weekend of 22-23 July, so please mark the date in your diaries.

Selling Shoes to the World

Queensland footwear company holster sells its unique brand of shoes and sandals in more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, but BGS Old Boy Ben Nothling ’94 says the essence of the brand he cofounded will always remain on the Sunshine Coast.

Nothling, a third-generation Old Boy, met his wife and business partner Natalie in the year 2000 at a job interview for an independent surf store on Hastings Street in Noosa. That store is long gone – victim

of the big brand shops that now dominate Hastings Street – but Ben and Natalie combined their passion for travel and a coastal lifestyle to produce stylish Balinese footwear and accessories that can be worn on the beach or at the bar.

Two decades on, holster has grown into a global brand producing more than 350,000 pairs of shoes annually.

Ben and Natalie still live in Noosa with their two children, Miller and Kira, not far from holster’s flagship store and

offices in Noosaville.

“Ever since Natalie and I have known each other we’ve always worked together. For us, working together is normal,” Nothling explained.

BGS got me off to a good start and made it easier to get into university.

“Our business really exploded in Asia, Europe and the UK thanks to our jelly sandals with crystals and studs. It was different to how jelly sandals had been made before.

“In most of our markets we still sell a lot of the jelly sandals, but we’ve also expanded our range significantly to do sneakers, EVA slides, and many different types of footwear including a men’s line.”

Nothling, 46, has retail in his blood. His great, great, great grandfather was David Jones, a Welsh-born merchant who founded the eponymous retail empire.

But it was Nothling’s grandfather, Otto, who established the family link to Brisbane Grammar School.

Otto, who graduated in 1918, captained the BGS Rugby First XV, played cricket for the First XI and was a standout sprinter and GPS shotput champion.

During the 1920s, Otto played 19 Test matches for Australia in rugby union, captained the Queensland Sheffield Shield team in cricket and was selected for Australia as a replacement for Don Bradman.

Later, Otto became a GP, served as deputy lord mayor of the Wide Bay region and established

the speciality of Dermatology at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane.

Otto’s son, Old Boy Martin Nothling ’61, was a champion sprinter before he lost one of his big toes in an accident on Otto’s farm. As a result, he followed his father into healthcare, qualifying in Medicine at The University of Queensland and specialising as a psychiatrist in Brisbane.

During the 1990s, Ben played rugby at BGS and was Captain of Swimming in Year 12, setting a BGS record in 50m freestyle that stood for 24 years.

Although Nothling was aware of his family’s achievements in sport and healthcare, he was encouraged to pursue his own career path.

“All my friends at BGS knew about Otto, because the teachers would talk about him. All the boys nicknamed me ‘Otto’, Nothling said.

As self-taught footwear designers, Nothling and his wife have built a business that has seen off the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic – a considerable achievement considering holster’s international reach.

“We learnt the business as we went. We’ve experienced a few testing periods, but you just

have to adapt and react quickly,” Nothling said.

“Luckily, we picked up some good distribution partners in other countries, some of who we have been working with for more than 10 years.

“The last couple of years our export business took a bit of a battering with COVID-19. We have 24 holster shops in Bangkok malls that sell a high volume of footwear, but with malls locked down sales in Asia ceased.

“Production for our export business stopped for six months in 2021 due to mall lockdowns. Once they opened back up, we had to quickly start producing footwear again to satisfy demand.

“We’re now expanding into new markets in Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore – and one of our distributors is talking about pushing holster into India.”

Although the family is firmly entrenched on the Sunshine Coast, Ben said his son, Miller, could soon become the fourth generation Nothling to attend BGS.

“BGS got me off to a good start and made it easier to get into university,” he said. “It’s a great school, whether academic or sporting, and it helped me get ahead in life.”

Above Ben Nothling (front row, middle) was Captain of Swimming in 1994

A Noble Professional

Long-serving BGS Music teacher

Jim Noble has called time on his career after more than three decades of continuous service to Brisbane Grammar School.

For the past 37 years, Mr Noble has worked at BGS as band director and teacher of woodwind and brass instruments.

The American-born educator was also Master-in-Charge of

Basketball during the 1990s, passing down a love of hoops to generations of BGS boys.

But he will likely be remembered as the conductor of the colourful BGS Marching Band, which became a regular fixture on Open Day as well as Anzac Day marches through the CBD.

“I carried the tradition of the marching band over from my

predecessor, and it’s become the big selling point of my career,” Mr Noble said.

“In the US, marching band is a cultural thing. Here at BGS, I tried to keep some of the military traditions while slowly morphing it into a more American style.”

As one of the School’s longestserving current staff members, Mr Noble has had a tremendous

I’ve always enjoyed working at BGS. One of the most outstanding aspects of being a teacher here is the professional development support that we receive.

influence on the music program.

“When I commenced teaching at BGS in 1993, it was clear that Mr Noble had established a strong relationship with his colleagues and was held in high regard by the boys,” Headmaster Anthony Micallef said.

“I consider him to be a superb schoolmaster, in the traditional sense of that title. He understands that teaching is as much about care as it is about content; and as much about guided practice as it is about telling students what to do.”

Born in Laramie in America’s Mountain West, Mr Noble’s journey to BGS began out of curiosity for Australia and was catalysed by meeting the love of his life in Far North Queensland.

“I was teaching in the States at the Middle School level. Over there, the band program is basically a band of about 70 kids, six periods a day,” he recalled.

“After four years, I decided to take a year off and travel. I landed in Cairns, I was staying at a youth hostel, and there was a girl who looked interesting.

“A Kiwi asked me if I wanted to go with him for a drive up to the

Tablelands, and this girl happened to be in the car, too. We just talked and talked and talked.

“Long story short: we ended up spending three months traveling down to Brisbane. She’s from Beaudesert, so we settled here and had two kids. We’re still together today.”

After a brief stint working as an instrumental teacher at Cleveland District State High School, in 1986 Mr Noble landed a job at BGS.

“I was very happy, because the conditions and facilities at BGS were much closer to what I was used to,” he said.

“Having experienced what happens in America, I felt as if I had a lot to give to help improve the music program and give it direction.

“I’ve always enjoyed working at BGS. One of the most outstanding aspects of being a teacher here is the professional development support that we receive.

“There were times I would go to conferences in Chicago, and literally every year I’d go to a conference and the School would support me. They’ve never said no.”

While Mr Noble is looking forward to retirement, he hinted that his association with BGS may continue in a more limited capacity.

“I think in future I will still be conducting bands and teaching lessons somewhere,” he said, “it just won’t be a day-to-day, full-time job.”

Like many families in the BGS community, I woke up early to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

As a former international, I played alongside some of the guys in the current Socceroos squad, including senior players Mat Leckie and Maty Ryan.

I am a few years older than the other two Matthews, but we all made our first World Cup

BGS to Brazil

Written by Matthew McKay First XI Football Coach

appearance in Brazil in 2014.

It is the dream of every young footballer to play at a World Cup, and I was lucky enough to live out my childhood ambition.

In the final two games of the group stage, we were drawn against the Netherlands and Spain – the runners-up and reigning champions from the previous World Cup in 2010.

Nobody gave us Aussies

a chance, but we held our own – especially against the Netherlands. At one point in the second half, we actually led 2-1 before going down 3-2.

The pressure at that level is beyond anything I’ve experienced before or since. The stadiums were packed and there were tens of millions of people watching on television around the world.

It’s not known as the football

World Cup for a reason – it’s just the World Cup because nothing else compares. It’s bigger than the Olympic Games or any other sporting event.

The sheer volume of people in Brazil – and the number of Australians who turned up to our training sessions and games –was mind-boggling.

It was a long road from the First XI at Brisbane Grammar School to representing my country at the biggest show on earth, but that journey started at Northgate, in the light dark blue of BGS.

Football – or soccer, as we called it back then – was growing rapidly while I was a student at BGS. Rugby union was still the dominant sport, but you could see football was closing the gap in participation.

When I graduated in 2000, BGS fielded 19 football teams. Now, football is by far the most popular sport, with 47 teams.

I was proud to be part of the First XI. My older brother had played for BGS before I got there, and during the 1990s my father was one of the founders of the Wembley Club that still supports the BGS Football program today.

In 2000, during my final year at BGS, we became the first team to

win the ‘treble’: the Uhlsport Cup, the Southern Skies tournament, and the GPS premiership, which is the one that we really wanted. Our team manager that season was current Headmaster Mr Micallef, who is a long-time supporter of the sport. School football was an important part of my development as a player. Winning titles for BGS really meant something to me, and the experience helped me learn how to perform under pressure.

In club football, the only people who turn up to watch are the families of the players, and even today the elite junior competitions in Brisbane are lucky to attract 50 spectators. But in the GPS competition, our boys have classmates from all different age groups watching on and creating a real atmosphere.

Players who want to go to the elite level, like I did, need to learn to play in front of crowds. For most, playing at Northgate in front of their peers will be a highlight of their football career.

That’s why, after playing more than 400 professional club games in Australia, China, Korea and Scotland, I decided to return to BGS in 2019 as coach of the First XI.

I knew BGS had a good football program, and I thought students would benefit from some of the experience and knowledge I’ve picked up at GPS, state, national and international level.

Over the past three seasons, it has become clear to me that the GPS competition is better than when I was a student. There’s some cracking players and really good teams, so you can get embarrassed if you show up with the wrong attitude.

The GPS football season is short, and players have other commitments, so my main message always comes back to effort.

During my playing career, I was always a runner – the guy that put the extra effort in and played hard. BGS taught me that nothing comes without work, both on and off the field.

I have no ambitions to become a professional coach. I have my hands full as a father, co-owner of our eCommerce business Freddy & Co, and as a board director at Football Queensland.

But I am happy being back here at my old school, working in a great program with a really good bunch of players.

BGS taught me that nothing comes without work, both on and off the field.

Bridge Builders

In 1923, Mr Osborn Thomas Fenwick, the son of a stonemason, graduated from Brisbane Grammar School, becoming the first Old Boy in a BGS family that now spans four generations.

Fifteen of Fenwick’s sons, grandsons and great-grandsons have since attended BGS, while six daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters have attended Brisbane Girls Grammar School.

The Fenwick family’s reputation for academic excellence began with Osborn and his older sister Marjorie.

Marjorie won the Lilley Memorial Medal in 1914 while ‘Oz’, as he was known at BGS, won

the Harlin Prize, the Sir James Cockle Prize, the Harold Plant Memorial Prize, the Bowen Prize, and an Open Scholarship to The University of Queensland.

Osborn was also a champion runner, captain of the Rugby First VX in 1922 and 1923, and narrowly missed out on winning the Lilley Gold Medal because he was not a student of Latin.

After Osborn graduated from UQ and went to work as a civil engineer, his daughter Elizabeth attended BGGS while sons Tom and John graduated from BGS and studied engineering at UQ.

In 1966, John became the 17th BGS Old Boy to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to study at The University of Oxford.

“My father wasn’t too keen on that initially – he expected me to start work and fulfil my obligations as a government cadetship holder,” John recalled. “Fortunately, my employer was happy to give me leave to go to Oxford.”

While studying at Oxford for a PhD in structural engineering, John married his wife Marye and, in 1970, their first son Simon was born in England. The family returned to Australia soon after.

John, who had been involved in the initial design of Brisbane’s Riverside Expressway, went to work for the State Government as a civil engineer.

“There was a strange family connection with the bridges

Above Old Boy John Fenwick AM ‘61 served on the BGS Board of Trustees

over Bramble Bay. During the 1950s, my father was a consulting engineer in charge of maintaining the Hornibrook Highway – the old timber bridge crossing Bramble Bay from Sandgate to Redcliffe,” John said.

“I remember him taking me down there when I was about 12 or so, and we spent Saturday in a rowboat supervising the replacement of a timber girder halfway along the bridge while it was under traffic. My brother Tom also was involved in maintaining this bridge while working for Dad’s firm in the 1970s.

“I eventually supervised the building of the second bridge to Redcliffe, the Houghton Highway, completed in 1979. So, there was a certain continuity and history in that.”

John was subsequently involved in the design specifications and proof engineering of the Gateway Bridge, which was the longest span of its type in the world when

it was opened in 1986.

Meanwhile, Tom was appointed Commissioner of Water Resources, serving under four governments from 1986 until his retirement in 2003.

All of Osborn Fenwick’s children – John, Tom and Elizabeth – sent their own children to BGS or BGGS.

Looking back on a century of history at BGS, John said there was a touch of serendipity in the fact that his father Osborn was of school age in the decade between World War I and the Great Depression.

“If he’d been five years older, he could have ended up in the war, and if he’d been five years younger it’s likely he wouldn’t have finished university because of the Depression,” John said. “It’s all a matter of luck – when you’re born and where you’re born.”

Recognising the family’s good fortune, the Fenwicks have given back to BGS. John served for two

decades on the Board of Trustees while Marye has volunteered many hours in various roles assisting the School’s Archivist and helping out in Advancement and Community Relations.

In 2015 their son Simon, who graduated from BGS in 1987, established the Fenwick Bursary to cover tuition and boarding fees for two regional or Indigenous students in perpetuity.

Thanks to Simon’s generosity, in 2020 the first recipient of the Fenwick Bursary graduated from BGS and is now studying at UQ.

“I am a third generation of BGS, yet I have daughters, so there will be no fourth,” Simon explained.

But while there are no boys with the Fenwick name currently enrolled at the School, the Fenwick Bursary is creating life-changing opportunities for future generations of Indigenous and regional boys – building a permanent bridge to BGS and beyond.

Above Old Boy Osborn Fenwick ’23 with his son John and wife Amy in 1961

Book on Cook

BGS Historian and Archivist Chris Price and Old Boy Professor John Pearn AO ‘57 each contributed to a new book, Captain Cook in Queensland, published in October by The Royal Historical Society of Queensland. Mr Price’s chapter outlines how the portrait of Cook in the Great Hall’s stained-glass window became Queensland’s first public tribute to the British explorer. “In Queensland, statues, plants, geographic features, towns, rivers, streets and beautiful cultivars of native trees have been named in his honour,” Mr Price writes. “In this progression, the Cook panel in the Brisbane Grammar School Great Hall stained-glass window occupies a special primacy.”

From the Archives The Great Hall