Summer 2024
A Promise for the
Planet In this issue The Magic of Moogerah A Passion for Volunteering History Celebrated in New Museum
Our Vision Brisbane Grammar School aspires to be the best school for boys in Australia.
Our Purpose Brisbane Grammar School educates boys within an innovative learning culture that nurtures their intellectual, physical and emotional wellbeing to become global citizens who contribute to their communities.
Editorial Team
Our Values
Our Motto
• Learning • Leadership • Endeavour • Respect • Community
nil sine labore — nothing without work
Inma Beaumont Executive Director Community Relations
Melinda Roberts Writer, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Nikita Blom Director of Marketing and Communications
Paul Brandist Graphic Designer
Miranda Cook Writer, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Front Cover Old Boy Tom Ferrier ‘98 has launched a cleantech company aimed at helping Australian businesses reduce their carbon footprint. Photography by Yianni Aspradakis.
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.
Grammar News
CONTENTS Page
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Page 22
The Magic of Moogerah Plans in place to build a koala habitat
A Promise for the Planet Old Boy Tom Ferrier ’98 is disrupting the climate action space and debunking the myth that sustainability costs more
Page 36
New Heritage Precinct Development on a Heritage Precinct at BGS gets underway
Page 26
Page 38
Student artist catches the eye of the Queensland art community
100-year-old Pearl Bygraves never gave up on her dream of gifting her son a BGS education
Dress on display in GOMA
Grammar News Digital Get the next issue on your digital device.
Family First
Page 40
Building Hotels with Heart Old Boy Arthur Liu ’92 shares insight into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship
Grammar News is produced by Community Relations at Brisbane Grammar School, Gregory Terrace, Brisbane, QLD 4000. Telephone +61 7 3834 5200 Website brisbanegrammar.com Email communications@brisbanegrammar.com Registered by Australia Post Publication No. QBN 4259
CRICOS Provider Number 00489C
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STEAM Opens The STEAM Precinct will open to students for the first time at the beginning of Term 1 in 2024, marking the most significant period of transformation at the School. The facility is not just a physical change at the western end of the campus, but a major shift in how teaching and learning is delivered at BGS — it is where education meets innovation. In preparing students for a changing world, STEAM will help students to develop their capabilities for innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible global citizenship by focusing on their critical and creative thinking, communication and collaboration skills.
Anthony Micallef Headmaster’s Message
A Sustainable
Future Written by
Anthony Micallef Headmaster
I don’t have enough space to write about how elated I will feel when students take their first lessons in the STEAM Precinct at the beginning of 2024. The STEAM Precinct stands tall at the western end of the School, emblematic of the decade of planning, construction and immense level of community spirit needed to complete such a monumental project. It is testament to modern architecture and educational advancement. The ribbon will be cut by Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young at an official opening ceremony at the School’s Foundation Day, held on 23 February 2024. To ensure the state-of-the-art learning hub is built to last, we have implemented sustainable practices, such as using renewable materials and incorporating efficient cooling systems to lower our carbon footprint. The introduction of mandatory climate reporting in Australia will change the way companies do business, which our Chief
Financial Officer Mark Corgat discusses in his editorial on page 22. This inspired us to take a closer look at other great sustainability projects at BGS, many of which are student-led as our boys take charge of climate action. The cover story is of Old Boy Tom Ferrier ’98 who recently launched a cleantech company called Greener for Business, which has partnered with major corporations, including National Australia Bank and Origin Energy. This edition of Grammar News also features articles about student successes in the art and community service spaces, a profile on one of the first Taiwanese students at BGS and his achievements in the hotel industry, and much more. We love bringing you these stories as a way to preserve our history, share knowledge, bridge diverse perspectives and keep our community connected. If you have a tale worth telling, please contact our Community Relations Team.
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News Snapshot
News
Snapshot Junior Swim Champ Old Boy and swimmer Edward Sommerville ‘22 is now a world record holder and Junior World Champion medallist. Edward helped break the junior world record for the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay to claim gold at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Israel, in September. The Aussie team finished in a time of 3:24:29, surpassing the previous record by 1.7 seconds. He also secured two bronze medals and a silver medal. Edward has his sights set on the upcoming Olympic Trials.
Making History Year 12 student Isaac Robinson has been named 2023 Australian Young Historian of the Year. He is the first BGS student to win the National History Challenge after outperforming 6,500 students from around the country. He won the award for his ten-minute documentary on Mikhail Gorbachev, which explored the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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Snapshot News
QLD Rhodes Scholar Former BGS Captain, Cross Country Captain and Old Boy Jeremy Hunt ‘16 has been named as Queensland’s 2024 Rhodes Scholar. Currently studying medicine at the University of Queensland, Jeremy is the founder and CEO of charity VacSeen Project, which offers free pop-up vaccination clinics. He will begin studying a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, in September 2024. He also plans to complete
a Master of Science in Applied Digital Health. “I’m deeply interested in the intersection of health, technology, business and policy.” Jeremy is determined to create innovative solutions for people disengaged from traditional healthcare models. “Technology offers us the chance to scale impact, identify disparities and reduce inequality.” He is the 26th Old Boy to receive a Rhodes Scholarship.
2023 ATAR Results The Class of 2023 achieved outstanding academic results, recording a median ATAR of 94.20. Two students achieved the top rank of 99.95 and three students received an ATAR of 99.90. This median is particularly impressive given our large non-selective cohort of 261 boys. Headmaster Anthony Micallef commended the graduating students and said the School’s pursuit of excellence across all areas contributed to the strong results.
King’s Honours Engineer and mining executive Old Boy Allan Davies ‘69 and his wife Lyn have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List. They have been recognised for their service to the community through charity work, including founding the Dalara Foundation, which donates to medical research, education, animal protection and Indigenous youth. Expressing gratitude for the acknowledgment, Allan said their philanthropy is an opportunity to support organisations they are passionate about. These include the Hunter Medical Research Institute, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, the University of Sydney Veterinary School and the Clontarf Foundation. They have also donated to Brisbane Grammar School. “A good education can change people’s lives and help them out of certain situations,” said Lyn, who is a trained teacher.
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Debating
Track and Field BGS has won its first GPS Track and Field Junior Championship, claiming the win by the smallest of margins. The 10 to 12-year-old age group claimed victory by just one-and-a-half points over Nudgee College. Harnessing this momentum, BGS athletes continued to excel at the Senior Championships. Anson Qui Tang and Tristan Knudsen won their field events, while Seth Kennedy broke the GPS record in the 15 years 200m. Kobi Griffiths and Seth also won their 800m and 400m races respectively. With wins in five events, 32 PBs and an impressive 25 top-five finishes, the overall outcome was phenomenal.
Term 3 saw 10 of our QDU teams battling it out against the best teams in Queensland at the final rounds. Six of those teams made it to quarterfinals, making BGS the school with most teams at this stage. At the end of the Queensland Debating Union competition, BGS ranked second best school and our 11.1 team took the premiership trophy home. In Term 4, more than 160 students from Years 7 to 11 trialled to join a BGS team in 2024. From Years 9 to 11, 17 debaters participated in the trials for Queensland State Team, with nine making it to the top 48 and two making the top 12.
Basketball Closing out another successful season, BGS Basketball won six out of the eight rounds of fixtures. The 2023 season marked a new milestone with the highest-ever participation, as 433 students across 36 team joined the GPS competition. Congratulations to our First team who had back-to-back wins for the first time in several years.
Fencing Fencing had a great season in 2023, with a total of 223 fencers taking to the piste. At the Brisbane Schools Teams Competition, we fielded 21 foil, eight epee, and 16 sabre teams, which comprised of 164 fencers from Years 7 to 12, who competed every Saturday of fixtures. BGS won the QFA Brisbane Schools Teams Competition overall along with 11 first, 13 second and seven third placings. We had pleasing results in State and National competitions. The BGS Primary Internal Fixtures provided an opportunity for 59 fencers from Years 5 and 6 to experience the full range of weapons. 10
Grammar News
Sport News
Rugby In the 2023 Rugby season, 363 students across 17 teams gave it their all on the field. Our younger players demonstrated promising skills as they developed throughout the season. Numbers in the Open division were strong again this year; however, the First XV were disappointed not to secure a win. There is a core group motivated to dig deep to improve in 2024. The support group, Normanby Blues, remain incredibly active in raising funds to assist the program. We are grateful for their ongoing support, recognising our students are the ultimate beneficiaries of their generosity.
Chess
Cricket
Our Premier Chess team had a solid campaign this season, finishing fourth on the ladder — just one point from a podium finish. In the Open divisions, BGS won several premierships in the Open As, Cs, Es, Fs, Gs, Hs and Is. In the Primary Interschool Competition, our team came fourth with notable success in the Individual Age Competition with our 2012 age group team winning first, second and third place.
Term 4 and the summer holidays have been busy for BGS cricketers. Our First XI and development squads competed against Gregory Terrace in the annual Powderfinger Cup Competition. The competition was fierce, with the final three matches going down to the last over to determine the overall winner. Gregory Terrace were crowned winners but congratulations to our boys on pushing them all the way.
Football The 2023 Football season has been hugely successful thanks to the determination and fighting spirit of the boys. The GPS season saw the First XI finish third, which is their best performance in several years thanks to emphatic wins against TSS and BBC. In total, we played 215 games in the official GPS competition — about 70 more than last year. We recorded 126 wins, 33 draws and 56 losses. The footballers scored an impressive 661 goals and only conceded 401.
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Feature A Promise for the Planet
A Promise
Planet and
for the
Dad Written by
Photography by
Miranda Cook
Yianni Aspradakis
Old Boy Tom Ferrier ’98 made a promise to his late father that he would use his digital skills to solve a serious world problem. It is a bold ambition. But driven by the loving memory of his dad, Old Boy Peter Ferrier ’68, and his innate grit to get a job done, Tom is on track to keeping his word — although far too humble to admit it. The problem is the most pressing of our time…climate change. “We are determined to debunk the preconceived idea that being sustainable comes at a higher cost to businesses,” Tom said.
“We are determined to debunk the preconceived idea that being sustainable comes at a higher cost to businesses”
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A Promise for the Planet Feature
In October, Tom and his partner Neil McVeigh launched a platform called Greener for Business, which sets out to help cash-deprived small to medium business owners improve their bottom line while taking climate action. Greener for Business is an online service providing a tailored step-by-step action plan on how to create a cleaner and greener business. Business owners are supported in streamlining operations to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and move to sustainable transportation and packaging options. In a supplier-funded model, members get access to offers designed to help them save money while cutting emissions. “By digitising offerings, we can offer the 2.5 million small to medium businesses around
Australia the same prices usually only offered to the big end of town. “They can save money during the cost-of-living crisis but also save emissions to combat the climate crisis.” Greener for Business has secured several major corporate partnerships, including with National Australia Bank which recommends the platform as a money-saving strategy to its customers. Origin Energy provides member-only offers for solar, EVs and GreenPower options. Behavioural scientists from Harvard University are also working closely with Tom’s team. “We’re not solving the climate crisis by focusing on an emotional discussion — if we want to shift the needle, we need to turn it into a financial opportunity for people,” Tom said.
After signing up, Meals on Wheels in Sydney saved $15,000 per year off its energy bill, while switching to 100 per cent GreenPower. “This is equivalent to taking 59 cars off the road, and it means they can serve another 1,000 meals to the local elderly community.” While his cleantech company is going from strength to strength, the entrepreneur has overcome challenging setbacks in both his personal and professional life. After graduating from BGS in 1998, Tom went on to study a Bachelor of Information Technology, at the University of Queensland. When the internet started taking off, he built one of the first digital platforms for an Australian dessert company, which propelled his corporate career. He held senior roles at the Summer 2024
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Feature A Promise for the Planet Right Tom Ferrier with wife Airlie Walsh and their son Peter Ferrier.
Hackett Group and Brambles Limited (just to name a few), where he travelled the world, oversaw major growth and was at the helm of driving efficiencies through technology. After losing his father to cancer, Tom decided he wanted to make a difference. He launched a business called Purposed, which aimed to help large corporate companies meet their social impact targets. However, it failed to get off the ground. Tom, who self-funded the project, said: “I was the founder of a business called Purposed, but I had no purpose at all. “I couldn’t get out of bed — I felt I’d let my dad down.” Two serendipitous encounters — a chat with a stranger about climate change and the ability to pause mortgage repayments during COVID-19 — led Tom to where he is today. “Just as Greener started to get very early traction, savings were tight, and I couldn’t afford to pay my mortgage. “The pandemic delivered a silver lining.” Now, he is on a mission to help small to medium businesses halve their annual emissions by 2030. “This would be the equivalent of taking 25 million cars off the road — the number of cars in the country today.” A purpose sure to make his father proud.
Tom has a strong family connection to BGS. His father is Old Boy Peter Ferrier ’68 and uncles are Old Boys Ian Ferrier ’62 and Bruce Ferrier ‘71. His nephew, Tom Taylor, is in Year 6 at BGS and his other nephew, Paddy Taylor, will attend in 2025. Tom’s young son is named Peter in honour of his father.
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Ben Bryant Feature
A Visionary
Volunteer Written by
Miranda Cook
When Year 12 student Ben Bryant has a free Saturday morning, he laces up his shoes to help visually impaired people take part in parkrun. “It’s just a very rewarding thing to do,” he told Grammar News. Ben joined Achilles Brisbane, a charity aimed at increasing participation for athletes with a disability, after he noticed guides accompanying visually impaired participants around the five-kilometre parkrun course, in Kedron. “I saw what they were doing, and I just thought what a great thing to do.” Now, he runs side-by-side with Sarah, who has lost most of her eyesight from a condition involving stress induced high blood pressure that damaged her retinas. Supporting people with low vision is a cause close to Ben’s heart after he witnessed the struggles his uncle faced when he lost his sight later in life. This personal connection inspired Ben to become a BGS Guide Dog Ambassador and take part in Pawgust, which involves people and their pets walking or running during the month of August to raise money for Guide Dogs Australia. “I have seen how much a guide
dog has helped and transformed my uncle’s experience.” Ben and his black labrador, named Star, have been involved for the past two years, clocking up about 250 kilometres and raising $1600. “She struggles to keep up by the end,” he said with a laugh. His love of helping others first began when he joined the Homework Club in Year 10, and he realised the difference that volunteering can make in the lives of others who are less fortunate. The Homework Club — part of the School’s Public Purpose program — sees BGS students provide an hour of tutoring to junior students from Kelvin Grove State College at Communify, every Thursday afternoon. For two years, Ben has tutored Malik, a refugee from Egypt, in his subject areas. “He is doing really well — now he is in an accelerated learning program.” In 2023, Ben was named Prefect of the Student Reconciliation Action Group, where he was part of a team of students collecting football boots to donate to First Nations communities, in North Queensland. “I did the Cape York Immersion in Year 11, and I was saddened by
the inequalities experienced by First Nations people in this area.” Last year, he ran the Year 12 Academic Support Committee and administered Grammar Gateway, which is a learning tool to help Year 12 students. When asked how he found time to balance his love of community service with his studies, he said: “I like to keep myself pretty busy.” At the time of publication, Ben was preparing to graduate, and is hoping to study a double degree in commerce and computer science at the University of Queensland. Helping others will always be part of his plan. “I’m going to see if I can keep doing Homework Club even after graduating.” Summer 2024
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Feature CFO Mark Corgat
A Plan for
Climate Action Written by
Mark Corgat Chief Financial Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Tackling climate change is both an ethical imperative and an important business strategy that is essential to financial resilience, risk mitigation and long-term sustainability. 20
Grammar News
As the world grapples with rising temperatures and extreme weather events, pressure is intensifying on organisations to take responsibility for, and be transparent about, their environmental impact. The Australian Government has released a proposal mandating larger companies to outline climate-related risks in their financial disclosures in the near future. Smaller businesses are expected to be required to follow suit in later years.
The government has committed to a ‘net zero’ emissions target by 2050. To achieve this target, major investments and changes in practice are required across the Australian economy. Brisbane Grammar School’s Board of Trustees has recently approved the School’s next fiveyear strategy, which includes a new and prominent sustainability pillar underpinned by a number of operational priorities and a renewable energy agenda.
CFO Mark Corgat Feature
Consistent with the strategy, sustainable design elements have been intentionally incorporated into the STEAM Precinct, which will be used by students from the beginning of Term 1, 2024, and officially opened on the School’s Foundation Day on 23 February 2024. These sustainability elements include: • Carefully considered building orientation to minimise heat from the western sun and maximise day lighting from the northeast; • High-quality window glazing to optimise insulation and minimise demand on airconditioning systems; • Energy efficient LED lighting throughout; • End of trip facilities to encourage staff to cycle or walk to and from work; • Building management systems configured to reduce peak electricity demand;
• Fly ash blended cement to reduce carbon emissions during the building process; • Movement sensor lighting to limit energy consumption in unoccupied spaces; and • Capacity to retro fit battery storage when feasible. Last year, the School installed the first of four 99 kWh solar panel systems on the roof of The Lilley Centre. The remaining three systems are scheduled to be installed in 2024 on the roofs of the Indoor Sports Centre, the Middle School Precinct, and the STEAM Precinct. The financial payback period for these solar panel installations is expected to be less than four years. To foster a circular economy, BGS recently donated two 20-foot shipping containers of surplus school furniture to a school and Indigenous boarding house on Thursday Island.
Consistent with the School’s established practice of gifting surplus education assets to institutions in need, the furniture is expected to make a positive impact on both Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Indigenous Boarding House and Waybeni Koey Ngurpay Mudh Tagai State College. Furthermore, the School values sustainability programs, such as the cocurricular student club, Greening Grammar, and will look to seize new opportunities to offer climate-focused curriculum as part of the STEAM Precinct. As a long-standing and influential educational institution, we have an obligation to support students to become global-minded people who are aware of the environmental and social issues of today.
Feature Outdoor Education
Bringing Native Species back to
Moogerah Written by
Miranda Cook
The natural beauty of Lake Moogerah is a conservation success story made possible by a lot of love, labour and environmental planning. Every year, hundreds of BGS students attend camp at schoolowned properties Pepperina Hill, based on the shores of the lake, and the not-too-far Bitenbar, as part of the Outdoor Education Program. However, the native wildlife and bushland that surround the outdoor centres and provide the boys with a peaceful and cultural experience haven’t always been there. Outdoor Education Program Director Derek Jervis has lived onsite for 13 years and has watched the revival of important ecosystems thanks to the dedication of many members in the BGS community, including the students.
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“We talk about the boys having a sense of place and this is their place out here, and this their country to learn on, to grow on and to look after,” Mr Jervis said. In consultation with ecologists, cultural burning advisors, and the Traditional Owners, the Ugarapul people, the Outdoor Education program has a comprehensive conservation strategy, which includes regeneration and reforestation, species documentation, back burning and cultural storytelling. Plans to develop a koala habitat and build bird and sugar glider boxes are also in the pipeline. “Future-proofing natural habitats that are home to Australian flora and fauna is at the heart of the program’s values.” Mr Jervis said. In 1972, BGS became owners of Pepperina Hill, which had been cleared as farmland for four decades. There were just six trees onsite. Over the past 10 years more than 1500 native trees — including endangered Burner Tuckeroos — have been planted by Year 10 students as part of the reforestation program. “The beauty is that students
come back year-after-year, so they can see the tree they planted grow over time.” Bitenbar came with different environmental challenges when it was acquired by the School, in 2017. As a result of neglect, the property was overgrown with invasive weeds and trees, meaning the site wasn’t accessible to students for camping for two years. “We cleared six car bodies off the property, 30 years’ worth of
Above Outdoor Education Program Director Derek Jervis
beer bottles, three dilapidated sheds and asbestos,” Mr Jervis added. Year 9 students and the Moogerah Committee — which is part of the P&F Association — engage in an annual weed clearing program to stop the spread of invasive species, such as cat’s claw and madeira vine. The local Ugarapul people have given permission for boys to learn their stories, Mr Jervis said, and this too plays a part in the environmental improvements of
the area. “The students are out here in every season — when it is 40 degrees, when it minus 5 degrees, paddling on the lake when it is hot, when it is windy and when it is calm. “They know this country well, which is tied up with cultural understandings and lore stories from the Ugarapul mob, and that really develops their connection to the place.”
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Bamboo Surfboards
Make a Splash Written by
Miranda Cook
Passionate surfer and Old Boy Richard Matthews ’68 has a love of the ocean that goes beyond riding waves. The backyard craftsman is synonymous in the global surf industry due to his quest to create a more sustainable surfboard. His goal is to protect 24
Grammar News
the workers who make them, while keeping the planet clean. Affectionately known in the surf industry as “Bamboo Man Dipo”, he began shaping boards in the 60s and 70s underneath his mother’s house on the Gold Coast, alongside Gordan Merchant, who later founded surf
Richard Matthews ‘68 Feature
fashion giant Billabong. Richard has devoted five decades to researching and working with alternative building materials in the construction and surf industries. As his nickname suggests, he became enamoured with bamboo due to its the strength and environmental benefits, such as its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release more oxygen into the atmosphere when compared with an equivalent hardwood tree. “My bamboo surfboards are made from 95 per cent non-toxic materials, and traditional surfboards are the opposite,” Richard told Grammar News. “It makes the manufacturing process far safer.” He first encountered the plant after moving to India to practise mediation in 1977. In need of somewhere to sleep, Richard reached for the bamboo because it was the only material available. He went on to make cabins and restaurants for other westerners staying there. “The locals had a community way of working together to build with the bamboo, which was very impressive.” Speaking to Grammar News from Bali, Richard has lived a remarkably transient life — his bamboo creations stand tall across Australia and Asia as reminders of his travels.
In 1981, he submitted 30 pieces of bamboo for testing to the University of Sydney Engineering Department, so it could be legally used as a building material in Australia. “I was using a type called Balcooa, and they graded it stronger than steel and therefore an acceptable building material.” His impressive portfolio includes opening a bamboo furniture shop in Tweed Heads, fitting out three venues for an Indonesian restaurant in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and building government-approved school and music festival facilities in Northern New South Wales. As part of a governmentfunded project, he built a bamboo houseboat for parents and students of the then Nimbin Community School. The houseboat was part of an initiative to teach students Indigenous bush knowledge as they floated in the Evans Head River and Bundjalung National Park areas. It wasn’t until he was running a surf camp on Siargao Island, in the Philippine Sea, in 1997 that he first began using the bamboo in surfboards because traditional resources weren’t available. “But I had issues sealing the board and would come back to
the shore with it dripping with water. “It was about two kilograms heavy,” he said with a laugh. After many trials and errors, he perfected his design over time. It is now made from a bamboo veneer, a lightweight timber and organic epoxy, and has the same performance abilities as a standard surfboard. When he is out riding waves, curious onlookers still flock to ask about his beautiful, eco-friendly boards. “It is very labour intensive because the boards are handcrafted — I would be booked out for a whole year.” Richard spends his days teaching locals and foreigners his surfboard-making techniques from his workshop in Bali and online. He does this for free. “My surfboards last a lifetime — you don’t have to buy three or four boards a year, which reduces our carbon footprint.”
“My bamboo surfboards are made from 95 per cent non-toxic materials, and traditional surfboards are the opposite.” Summer 2024
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Nomadic Dress
Hangs at Goma Written by
Miranda Cook
Graduating Year 12 student Owen Seaborn is a stitch closer to turning his dreams of becoming a global fashion designer into reality. “I’m so passionate about it — I go to bed thinking about it.” Despite only graduating from BGS in November, Owen’s talent 26
Grammar News
of using art to share his story of his unique upbringing has caught the eye of the art community in Queensland. His multimedia and textile artwork, titled Nomadic, will be exhibited at the Gallery of Modern Art this year after he was named a winner in the 2023
Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Arts. Only 37 of around 5000 applicants have won the honour of having their work hung in GOMA as part of an installation, which will run from 27 April to 25 August in 2024. “I am proud of myself and
Owen Seaborn Feature
thrilled to get my artwork out there, but also happy that the BGS Art Department is getting recognition,” Owen said. In his final piece of school assessment, Owen created a traditional dress worn by women in Mongolia. The garment is embellished in beautiful, tiny glass beads and pearls of which Owen carefully hand-stitched onto the cuffs, collar and neck area. The dress, deliberately made from basic calico fabric, comes to life when vivid and sentimental home videos of Owen’s childhood are projected onto the material. “I wanted audiences to reflect on their own personal memories and stories, and how my own memories and stories have shaped me as an artist and designer.” Through moving images, the young artist showcases what he describes as the undervalued natural beauty of Mongolia, where he called home for nine years. Born in Mount Isa to an Australian father and American born mother, Owen moved to the capital Ulaanbaatar when he was just five years old. His family returned to Australia in 2020, when Owen started at BGS in Year 9. In the videos, Owen and his family travel across diverse
landscapes in different seasons, embracing the warmth of the summer and the bitterness of winter. Playing in the snow and learning to flyfish with his father are other special memories he shares in a bid to connect with and educate his audience. “Mongolia is significantly different to Australia. “It is a vast country with the most amazing culture and traditions, but people don’t really understand the beauty of the countryside, which is why I wanted to give audiences an idea of what it looks like.”
Owen also received the 2023 Bernadette Moy Art Award, which he said: “means a lot”. Ms Moy was Owen’s first art teacher at BGS. She has taught generations of students — including Owen’s uncle Old Boy Christopher Wille ‘92 — during her 40-year career at the School. Owen credits his art teachers with sowing seeds of belief in his mind that anything is possible provided you work hard. He plans to study fashion in London in 2024. “I feel I owe it to my friends, teachers and family for supporting me and my artwork.”
“I wanted audiences to reflect on their own personal memories and stories, and how my own memories and stories have shaped me as an artist and designer.”
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Feature Music
Grammar Music
Spreads its Wings Written by
Peter Ingram Head of Music
In recent times, the Music Department has been reaching out to the BGS community and beyond. In the mid-year school holidays, 27 boys and four staff participated in the Australian Combined Schools Music Festival in Perth. After a COVID-hiatus, everyone was very excited to gather with the finest student musicians from around the country for four-days of intensive rehearsals as part of either an orchestra, concert band or choir. The students worked with amazing international conductors who led them
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through incredibly challenging repertoire. There was also plenty of social time in the beautiful surrounds of the host school, Methodist Ladies College. The final concert was a spectacular success with BGS students doing the School proud. As if there wasn’t enough to do during the holidays, 30 keen singers participated in the Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival, which was held at BGS and BGGS. As the name suggests, this event celebrates everything to do with males singing — something we take
seriously at BGS. Our students immersed themselves in a diverse collection of music, which included world premieres of music written specially for the event. They were inspired by the conductors they worked with and the choirs that performed for them. Our very own Grammarphones had the great honour of being invited to perform as a feature ensemble. The final concert at QPAC was a sight to behold with hundreds of male singers giving their all. Closer to home, the BGS community was thoroughly spoilt
with an array of concert events. It began with three themed concerts. Australia featured a wonderful variety of instrumental and choral groups performing music from our own backyard. Memorable items included The Man From Snowy River from one of our junior bands (including costumes), as well as some music written by our talented music staff. Heroes & Villains featured music from various super-hero movies, which the boys loved, especially the Music Captains who were dressed accordingly. It even featured the part-hero part-villain King George in GVE’s performance of You’ll Be Back from Hamilton. The ever-popular Latin Fiesta saw our Jazz and Percussion ensembles take us on an exotic trip through Latin America. It was a terrific way to conclude this concert series. Term 4 was a blur of activity. We had three Showcase Concerts
noteworthy for the incredibly high standard of performance in an appropriate farewell for our senior musicians. The happy gathering at the Music Celebration dinner was also special. Worthy of a mention is Sing & Swing, the much-anticipated informal concert held in the most unlikely of locations; the BGS Cricket nets. The transformation was complete when hundreds of people sat back to enjoy a highly entertaining program of jazz and pop classics from our choirs and
jazz bands. A somewhat more formal but no less anticipated final event for the year was Lessons & Carols. There was a delightful mix of old and new with the usual traditional Christmas readings and carols mixed with more contemporary and local offerings. Joy In This Ancient Land was the theme of the night and the name of a piece written by Head of Music Peter Ingram, which acted as a spectacular final for both the event and the year of wonderful music-making at BGS. Summer 2024
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Newsies
Take the Stage
Dramatic Production Feature
Written by
Ben Newth Acting Head of Drama On behalf of the Creative Team Jeffrey Lewis, Bella MacDiarmid, Sarah McDonald, Sabrina Wall.
To close out the 2023 BGS Dramatic Productions season, the Drama Department presented Disney’s Newsies Junior. Consisting of a cast of Middle School students, the talented group — including students from BGGS — performed in front of audiences in three sold out performances. Newsies Jr. had been a dream project for members of the creative team. We can recall speaking with Year 5 students as early as 2020 about how perfect this show would be. Those same students, now in Year 8, happened to be part of this wonderfully gifted ensemble of performers. It is not hard to see why the
show had drawn us all in. Even though we had been living and breathing the story for six months, we were excited to return to it every day. The songs are relentlessly catchy and inspiring, and the characters are lively. More than anything, this show had remarkable heart. It is a tale of a community overcoming
cruelty, of young people seeking justice in a system that seeks to exploit them, and of standing up for your principles, even if sacrifice is required. In the show, those sacrifices are profound. The Newsies, in opting to strike against the powerful publishers of the day, open themselves up to physical intimidation and starvation. One character remarked: “I guess some things are worth going hungry for.” Speaking of hunger, this cast of dedicated and talented BGS and BGGS students displayed a voracious appetite to learn and grow as performers. Whether it be singing, dancing or acting, it was an honour to witness their maturity, determination and persistence. We hope in future years, they will be able to look back on the long weeks and months of rehearsals, and be filled with an immense feeling of pride, and a sense they have accomplished something extraordinary. They seized the day — and then some — and in doing so, have formed friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. Summer 2024
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End
Written by
Melinda Roberts
of an
Era
In the realm of rugby, certain names span time and geography. Old Boy Phil Mooney ‘83 has long been synonymous with the game in Australia and abroad. Sadly, he has bid farewell to Brisbane Grammar School following eight years as Director of Rugby. 32
Grammar News
Mr Mooney’s journey at BGS began when he attended as a student between 1978 to 1983. Proving to be a skilled allrounder, he made the first XV in rugby and first XI in cricket. Reflecting on his time as a student, he speaks fondly of his exceptional teachers and mentors, and the strong sense of camaraderie, which he credits with shaping his professional career. “I really enjoyed the sense of community at the School — we
supported each other whether it be across sports or the arts,” Mr Mooney said. After graduation, Mr Mooney enjoyed a successful rugby career as both a player and coach. He was an talented fly half and fullback for Wests in the Brisbane Premier Competition, between 1986 and 1994. The team was crowned Australian Club champions after defeating Parramatta in 1986, and later were runners up at the World Club Championship, in France.
Phil Mooney ‘83 Feature
“I really enjoyed the sense of community at the School – we supported each other whether it be across sports or the arts.”
Mr Mooney coached the Queensland Reds in 2008 and 2009 after having previously coached the Australian U19 team which won the Junior World Cup. He subsequently coached first class teams in New Zealand and Japan. In 2013, he moved to Japan to coach the Panasonic Wild Knights, winning the Top League and the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. He also held a coaching role at the Brisbane Broncos. His coaching philosophy is based on mastering the fundamentals. “It doesn’t need to be overly
complex; just cultivate an attitude of continual improvement.” Since 2015, Mr Mooney has been a driving force in the BGS Rugby program, serving as both Director and Head Coach. He enjoyed coaching the U11 team and helping develop players who had little experience on the rugby field. “They played for the pure joy of it, enjoying the company of their friends and taking pride in representing their school.” Weekends spent at Northgate will also be missed, he added. “I really enjoyed the weekends spent at Northgate — the dedicated volunteers, the delight
on the boys’ faces when they successfully executed practised skills during the games.” Highlighting a key moment in his BGS career, Mr Mooney points to the historic milestone in 2016, when two Old Boys were at the helm of their national teams on the same weekend — Stephen Moore AM ‘00 as captain for the Wallabies and Fraser McReight ‘16 leading the Australian Schoolboys. Another standout memory came in 2017, when Old Boy Dennis Waight ‘18 secured victory by scoring the winning try at full-time against longtime rivals Churchie. Mr Mooney underscores the significance of team sports and the valuable life lessons derived from them. “Sports offer a wonderful outlet — it is about bringing balance to the lives of young boys and girls.” Returning to his roots, Mr Mooney assumes the position of Director of Rugby at Wests, where he made his debut as a five-year-old and where his coaching journey first began. Summer 2024
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Vicki Palmer Feature
A Literary
Legacy Written by
Miranda Cook
The Middle School Library was an empty white room without a book on the shelf when Vicki Palmer started at Brisbane Grammar School. Ms Palmer was hired as a Teacher Librarian as part of a team of 12 teachers tasked with opening the Middle School, in 2003. Today, the library boasts 10,605 books thanks to her 21 years of dedication to sifting through bookstores and flipping through countless book-buying catalogues. Each book has been chosen with careful consideration to ensure the library’s collection suits all reading levels and appeals to those with the most eclectic of tastes. “I love putting the right book into the right hands. “The boys love the library – some boys read a book a day and it can be hard to keep up,” Ms Palmer said. Having spent years working as a French teacher, Ms Palmer took a role as a teacher librarian in a small mining town in Central
Queensland and then in Wynnum in Brisbane’s bayside, before coming to BGS. “The first year was about getting resources in here and a lot of curriculum planning, before we opened the Middle School to Years 6 and 7 students in 2003.” Ms Palmer has overseen many changes at the Middle School, including introducing Year 5 students to the School, in 2015. While reading and research is fundamental to the library curriculum, staff organise Book Week, Star Wars Week, Horror Week and much more to make reading enjoyable. “Reading for pleasure is my big thing. “If students struggle reading, then they struggle in many other areas of study.” The colourful walls, calm atmosphere and fun literarybased activities are contributing factors as to why she will miss the library during her retirement in 2024. A favourite memory of hers is when staff and students celebrated the Olympics by piling
books into two large buckets with a broomstick strapped in the middle, so the boys could take part in a “weightlifting” competition. “I will miss contact with the kids the most – you form relationships that are slightly different than a teacher-student relationship in this role. “The library can be a refuge for kids who are a little bit quirky, and often those are the kids who appreciate you the most.” Embracing her own real-life adventures, Ms Palmer plans to spend her retirement by jet setting around the globe with a well-thumbed book tucked in her bag.
“I love putting the right book into the right hands.” Summer 2024
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Left The new Heritage Precinct will be on the lower level lower level in the original school buildings.
cataloguing of the displays. All current, future and past members of our community will be welcome. We hope that in providing a special place to focus on our heritage, we can honour the enormous contributions of our students, teachers, trustees, old boys, parents and donors. We have been most grateful for many donations, which will be displayed in the new Museum. One donation in 2023, a small diary, has proved to be a rich source of information.
New Heritage
Precinct Written by
The pocket school diary of Desmond W Webster The diary, donated by the Brittain family, tells us about the life of a young boarder from Kilcoy in 1938. Desmond Webster was the maternal great grandfather of Tom Brittain, who graduated from BGS last year.
Chris Price School Historian and Archivist
The development of a new Heritage Precinct at the School is underway. Three of the original classrooms, first opened in 1881, are being converted into an Archives preparation room, a Museum, and a Reading and Research room. The precinct will help connect our community to the BGS story by providing access to the wealth of material in our care. The new Reading and Research room, once known as the old “Gun Room” or R H Roe’s classroom, will showcase the official school histories, the school magazines and the School 36
Grammar News
Window, along with the historic prize book collection and books published by Old Boys. Original enrolment registers and the Golden Books from World War One will be housed in special bookcases and be accessible to visitors. The Museum, located in “E2”, will showcase a variety of artefacts from our collection. Academic and military honours, sporting trophies and medals, foundation documents and old photographs will be on display. The Archives room will hold the objects collection and provide space for the preparation and
Above Tom Brittain with his greatgrandfather’s diary.
School diaries were issued to every student. They provided lists of facts about the School’s history and GPS sport, and, of course, a place to enter homework, exam results and general notes. Each page tells us
Archives Feature
Left Desmond Webster’s purchases, p17 of his diary. Above Weekly record from 14th February in his diary.
about the curriculum Desmond experienced and the daily routines of his school life. On page 17, he records his expenditure for Term 2. He purchased a cake of Lifebuoy Soap, drew 8 shillings for a fare home, spent 12 shillings to get his racquet restrung and bought several stamps for the letters he
would write home each week. The entries — which begin on Monday 14 February — record quite a bit of homework for a Third Form (Year 9) boy. He records writing out Physics theorems, learning Shakespeare’s As You Like It in English class, drawing a map of Cook’s first voyage and plenty of exercises in
French vocabulary. Saturday 19 February provided a nice change of pace, with a trip down town, a cricket game and then off to the pictures (movies) that night. The opening date for the Heritage Precinct will be announced soon, and we look forward to welcoming you in the future.
Above The boarders of 1938. Summer 2024
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Family
First Written by
Miranda Cook
Pearl Bygraves could have travelled the expected path for a young woman born in 1923 and become a stay-at-home mother. But her determination to give her five children a better life has seen her overcome many adversities during a century, 38
Grammar News
including leaving an abusive marriage and working jobs where she’d spend long days and nights on her feet in corner shops, fruit stalls and petrol stations — often with her young children in tow. Her hard-working nature is at the heart of her family’s deep-
Generations Feature
rooted connection to Brisbane Grammar School. After leaving her husband of 30 years, she worked as a sales assistant at Mathers Shoes, in Brisbane, to pay for her youngest child Phillip Walker ’75 to attend BGS. “I didn’t care what job it was — I was willing to do it because I wanted to send Phillip there,” Mrs Bygraves told Grammar News. “I just thought it was the best school. “Phillip worked at a service station before and after school to help me, when he was just 13.” Three of her grandsons have since attended BGS, including the School’s Director of Finance Brett Walker-Davies who graduated in 2004. His seven-year-old son Harvey and three-year-old son Augie are on the enrolment list. Understanding the challenges his grandmother went through to afford a BGS education has taught Brett the value of a good work ethic. “When you look at Grandma’s attitude and what she has accomplished, she embodies the spirit of nil sine labore — nothing without work. “It shows how someone’s love and dedication can have a multiplying effect across generations.” It has also influenced the types of services his department offers to BGS parents. Since starting at BGS in 2021, Brett has forged several new financial partnerships to help parents who are saving
for or currently receiving a BGS education, and he is passionate about growing the Bursary Fund. “I know personally the value of diversity for BGS students and want to make sure we can help people of varied financial means to be able to access a BGS education.” After celebrating her 100th birthday last year, Mrs Bygraves has no regrets over how she has spent the past century. She recalled growing up on a cane farm in Maryborough, confronting the Great Depression, being the only woman on a train of American soldiers headed north after Townsville was bombed in World War II, and surviving an almost-deadly bout of measles. Yet despite great challenges, she remains staunchly humble.
“Throughout your life, you just do your best,” she said with a smile. She said there is no secret to longevity other than to “take every day as it comes”, eat healthy but still enjoy “cake and chocolate when you feel like it”, and commit to regular exercise. She still stands up and down on her tippy toes and does leg kicks to keep active. Her family is her greatest achievement of all, consisting of her five children, 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Her second husband, Lawrence Bygraves, who she loved dearly for more than 40 years, passed away six years ago. “I’ve been so lucky in my life — I have a wonderful family and that’s what really matters.”
“I’ve been so lucky in my life – I have a wonderful family and that’s what really matters.” Summer 2024
39
Building Hotels with
Heart Written by
Miranda Cook
“If you don’t take risks, then you don’t move forward,” says Old Boy and hotel developer Arthur Liu ‘92. He is an insightful source of wisdom for BGS students seeking to embark on an entrepreneurial
journey. Despite preferring to “listen and learn”, he said he is honoured to share advice on the highs and lows of life in business. Having been one of the first Taiwanese students to attend BGS, Arthur is the owner and
developer of Novotel Brisbane South Bank, and his story is one of calculated risk-taking. Arthur migrated to Brisbane from Taiwan when he was 15 after his parents were inspired to move to the city after experiencing
“There is always risk in entrepreneurship but being prepared for the worst is crucial.” 40
Grammar News
Arthur Liu ‘92 Feature
World Expo ‘88, at South Bank. “The School wasn’t as multicultural as it is now, but I was excited to start and was amazed by the school spirit,” he said. In coming full circle and wanting to give back to the city which has “given his family so much”, his property company Kinstone Group developed the $70million Novotel Brisbane South Bank, which is a 4.5-star and 238-room hotel in the heart of the tourist and cultural hotspot. In addition to the jobs created during construction, Arthur’s hospitality company, South Brisbane Hotel, employs more than 130 staff to run the hotel. Despite being a remarkable building in terms of its modern architectural design and décor, Arthur is most proud of his staff and their ability to record stronger demand than pre-pandemic levels. His team was recently awarded the best performing Accor hotel in the Pacific region — a monumental feat considering Accor has more than 400 hotels in this region alone. “Once a building is built, it is hard to make changes other than to renovate — you can’t change its essence. “But with management and staff, the situation is changing every day, which I find fascinating.” As the construction industry grappled with the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, Arthur took a financial hit when the builder on one of his projects folded. “There is always risk in entrepreneurship but being prepared for the worst is crucial,” he said. “It’s not about whether the sky is clear or not, if you have the best
aeroplane and team with the best knowledge, then you will navigate the storms.” His advice to budding innovators is to utilise networks and carefully allocate resources, whether that be money, materials, time and relationships. “When our builder went under, we had an emergency fund and were able to pull strings to get someone else to continue the project for us.” Through his other investment company, Liming International, Arthur and his team have their sights set on the probiotics industry — quite a change from hospitality, tourism and property. He is curious by nature, which is a big reason behind his success. His business portfolio is
diverse and spans across many countries, including introducing new products to Southeast Asia, opening a new manufacturing factory in China, and setting up trade companies, specialising in chemicals and raw materials, in Taiwan and Australia. “I want to explore and find a better way of doing things all the time. “I find there is always a better point of view in the room than yours.” He now shares his love of business and Brisbane with his wife and three children. “I love the environment in Brisbane — it is the best for families. “You can’t possibly ask for more.”
“It’s not about whether the sky is clear or not, if you have the best aeroplane and team with the best knowledge, then you will navigate the storms.” Summer 2024
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OBA President’s Message
From the
OBA President Written by
Cameron Feltham ’86 BGSOBA President
This year held personal significance for me as my youngest son graduated Year 12, marking the end of my time as a BGS parent. It was a privilege to address the graduating Class of 2023 and present the boys with their Old Boy Ties at the final assembly. Knowing many of them since they were five-years-old and witnessing their journey to become the remarkable young men they are today, is truly an honour. What stands out to me is their resilience, humility, integrity and support for one another. As both a BGS parent and an Old Boy, these qualities make me incredibly proud. To the 2023 seniors, congratulations on the end of your BGS journey and the start of a new chapter within the Old Boys’ Association. You are now part of a wider network of 15,000 Old Boys spread across the world. We all aim to engage, question, challenge, mentor and contribute to the wider community. I hope you seize the opportunity to be part of this remarkable group. 2024 is shaping up to be another busy year for the association. Our first Business Breakfast, scheduled for 17 April, will feature award-winning investigative journalist, author, podcaster and past parent Hedley Thomas. Hedley will share insights into his remarkable career, including his true crime podcast The Teacher’s Pet, which earned him the Gold Walkley. Our Business Breakfasts are open to the entire BGS community, and we encourage you to join us. 42
Grammar News
On 7 March, we are hosting a Creative Industries Professional Networking Night for younger Old Boys. The panel will feature accomplished Old Boys working in the creative industries, including DDB Group President and CEO Andrew Little ’87, Alt VFX Founder and Director Takeshi Takada ‘93, Brainheart Founder Rem Bruijn ‘85 and Content Lion Founder and Director Max Hinton ‘13. This night will be a fantastic opportunity for Old Boys in advertising, brand development and digital marketing to expand their strategic network to foster relationships, seek mentors or mentees and gain insights from an expert panel on the challenges and opportunities in this thriving industry. Old Boys commemorating Milestone Reunions need to mark their diaries for the weekend of 26-27 July for the highly anticipated “Back to BGS Weekend.” As we begin a new school year, I express my gratitude for Mr Micallef, the Board of Trustees and BGS staff for their continuous support of the Old Boys’ Association and our various networking events. I thank my fellow committee members, both on the OBA Committee and the Brisbane Grammarians Rowing Club Sub-Committee. The planning and execution of our events, along with administration and management responsibilities, involve a tremendous amount of effort, and I am humbled by their dedication.
Upcoming
BGS Events Saturday 3 February
Lunar New Year Dinner Venue: Parklands Restaurant Sunny Park Shopping Centre, 407 Mains Road, Sunnybank
Sunday 25 February
STEAM Open House Wednesday 17 April
OBA Business Breakfast Saturday 27 April
Open Day Friday 26 July
Sportsman’s Lunch Saturday 13 July - 1964 Saturday 27 July - 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014
2024 Reunions For more information and to secure tickets, please contact Community Relations at communityrelations@brisbanegrammar.com or visit www.brisbanegrammar.com
OPEN DAY Saturday 27 April 2024 12.00pm - 3.00pm Discover the opportunities for day and boarding students at Queensland’s leading school for boys.
Register Now.
Brisbane Grammar School Gregory Terrace Brisbane QLD 4000 CRICOS Provider Number 00489C
