GN winter 2022

Acknowledgement of Country

Chris Walker

Elise Browning

Grammar News CONTENTS

Page 16

Academic Outcomes

Page 37

A Market Disruptor

Page 34

Boarding Innovation

Page 40

Saving the Great Barrier Reef

Page 44

in Focus

Excellence in the Pool

Year 12 student Ed Sommerville enjoyed an outstanding 2022 GPS Swimming Championships, winning the Open 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle and 200m Freestyle events, and anchoring the victorious BGS Open 4 x 50m Medley Relay team. Ed’s efforts, combined with a great team performance, saw BGS win the championships.

In Pursuit of Excellence

I have no doubt that Brisbane Grammar School’s bold new tagline, In Pursuit of Excellence, will come to mean different things to different members of the BGS community. To me, it means everyone at the School striving to be their best in their particular role; whether they are a student, a teacher, or a member of business and services staff.

As I walked around campus in the lead up to Open Day, I observed that our school grounds had never looked better. Our grounds staff, led by Craig Derrick, worked tirelessly to make sure the School looked immaculate.

That, in its own way, is what the pursuit of excellence is all about. First impressions matter, and visitors to the campus on Saturday 7 May left with a stunning mental image of our school.

Our new tagline is informed by the School’s history and is personified by Old Boys such as Dr Sean Parsons ’97, who features on the front cover of this edition showing students around one of the facilities where his medtech company Ellume manufactures COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for the US market.

Dr Parsons is one of several successful Old Boys featured in this edition. In the following pages, you can read about medical entrepreneur, philanthropist and Queensland Rugby Union chairman Brett Clark ’85 (pages 36 and 37); mental health activist

Chris Raine ’03 (page 9); and Dan Leggo, Curtis Sciacca and Dan Marshall (all ’14), who are using cutting-edge science and technology to save the Great Barrier Reef (pages 40 and 41).

There are also profiles on Ashmit Vyas ’17 and Marcus Ray ’18, both of whom are excelling in their tertiary studies. Vyas, who has been studying economics at the University of Pennsylvania, was recently made a member of Phi Beta Kappa; the oldest honour society in the United States. Ray, a former School Captain and Oxford graduate, was awarded the prestigious von Clemm Fellowship to attend Harvard.

I am confident these recent graduates will carry on the proud legacy set by previous generations of BGS Old Boys. We were reminded of that legacy in April, when several Old Boys from the BGS Class of 1952 gathered on campus for their 70-year reunion.

You can read about those Old Boys and their reunion on page 42, as well as an interview with our newly appointed School Historian and Archivist Chris Price on pages 44 and 45. Mr Price, who has taught at the School for more than three decades, observes that BGS “is all about people with aspirations taking opportunities”.

I couldn’t agree more, and I believe our new tagline reflects that culture.

Anthony Micallef Headmaster

News Snapshot

Dig In Expands

You may recall reading about Dig In, a BGS Old Boy-led charity, in Grammar News winter 2019. Since that feature, Dig In has received an influx of BGS community volunteers and

continues to serve thousands of meals to disadvantaged people every Saturday.

Dig In’s hot food vending machine, launched in 2021, serves meals autonomously at

Pindari Women’s Service hostel and St James College, with plans to expand the concept in 2022. Now in its fifth year of operation, Dig In was established by BGS Old Boys Curtis Sciacca, Dan Marshall, Lucas Ryals, Hamish Foley and Tom Grogan, who all graduated in 2014, and BGGS alumna Jess Pagden.

Recognition for Rhonda

On Friday 18 February, a boat-naming ceremony was held at the BGS Rowing Shed acknowledging BGS Rowing pioneer Rhonda Cochrane. She dedicated countless hours over more than 15 years to support BGS as a coach, fundraiser and carer of boys involved in the program. In 1982, Mrs Cochrane became the first woman to coach a rowing crew at the GPS Rowing Championship. A year later she coached the First IV to victory at the Head of the River – the first woman to do so.

Open Day 2022

BGS Open Day provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the School’s leading facilities, programs and staff, but there is no doubt our students are the stars of the event. An estimated 4500 visitors made it to campus on Saturday 7 May, with the most popular part of the day being the student-led tours. Community is one of the BGS values and Open Day provides a wonderful example of how important our people are to the success of the School.

National Recognition

Throughout his remarkable rugby career, BGS Old Boy Alec Evans ’57 has been labelled ‘The Iron Man’, ‘The Keeper of the Standards’, ‘The Scrum Doctor’ and ‘The Godfather of Queensland Rugby’. After several decades of involvement in the game as both a player and coach, he will now also be known as a Rugby Australia Life Member. The 82-year-old legend – also a member of the Queensland Rugby Hall of Fame – was inducted into the exclusive club in April 2022 in recognition of his contribution to the game from Schoolboy to Test rugby.

A Clean Slate

Mental health activist and BGS Old Boy

Chris Raine ’03 is one of the driving forces behind a new healthcare startup assisting those who struggle with alcohol dependence. Clean Slate Clinic is an innovative telehealth service that helps people detox from alcohol from their home. Raine teamed up with Chief Medical Officer Dr Chris Davis and CEO Pia Clinton-Tarestad to kickstart the healthcare initiative.

Comments +

Mart Twiggy Another Michael Ware in the making.

Lou Dingle You stay safe Sean. That’s an order from a BGS mother. Thank you for giving them a voice.

Yasmin Sethi Good luck Sean and stay safe!

Margot McCamley Take care, BGS Old Boy.

Alan Murrie I was working as School Librarian when you attended BGS, Sean. Sending energy for your safe return. May your reporting move people emotionally and bring you credit.

Reach 34,709 Likes 1,225

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War Coverage

1/3/22 BGS Old Boy reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop ’00 is currently at the Polish-Ukrainian border, covering the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Ukraine conflict. The ABC reporter’s career has taken him to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America. Our thoughts are with Sean, and all affected by the unimaginable tragedy currently unfolding.

Comments +

Nicholas Hay Great achievement. Great coaches there over a long period of time but the School’s focus on creating well rounded young men that add to the community is so impressive.

Louise Edmonds Wonderful news –congratulations Fraser.

Kelly Mitchell Absolutely fantastic news. Congratulations Fraser.

John Sturgeon Well done Fraser.

Anne Hewitt So proud of him!

Fraser McReight Captains Reds

10/3/22

Helen Masselos Fantastic, congratulations.

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BGS Old Boy Fraser McReight ’16 will captain the Queensland Reds against the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. It is the first time the 23-year-old and former Junior Wallabies captain will lead his state. Congratulations from the BGS community.

Olympic Committee Selection

11/4/22 BGS Old Boy Brett

Clark ’85 has been appointed to the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Clark is founder and Managing Director ePharmacy and Managing Partner Chemist Warehouse Queensland and Northern NSW. He is also Chairman of the QRU and a former Director of Queensland Ballet. Clark is a philanthropist known for his community work.

Comments +

Judy Hudson Luxton Brett, you will make a difference – well done.

Bridie Li Congrats Brett! Excellent appointment indeed.

Megan Spencer Another stellar appointment. You’ll make a sensational contribution no doubt.

Carmel Brown Congratulations Brett, looking forward to seeing how Queensland develops into delivering an amazing Olympics.

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Comments 43 Shares 2

2022 GPS Cricket Premiers

26/3/22 BGS has been crowned the 2022 GPS Cricket premiers. Our First XI secured the premiership today by defeating BBC. Congratulations to captain Hugh Weibgen and the team from the BGS community.

Comments +

Jack Lake Congratulations to all the players and staff involved, huge achievement!

Jodie Watson Congratulations to BGS players, coaches and extended team on the 2022 Premiership – well deserved.

Andrew Catton Clearly the best team and played in the right spirit. Congratulations to all involved.

Helen Sherington Congratulations boys, a fitting end to a great season.

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Class of 2021 ATAR Results

17/12/21 The BGS Class of 2021 achieved exceptional results with a median ATAR of 95.30. An extraordinary 11 BGS students achieved the top rank of 99.95 –only 32 students received this rank across Queensland.

Comments +

Sharee Verdon Congratulations to the young men who are the Class of 2021. I am so proud of you and knew these results would be incredible!

Claire Blake Outstanding results. Congratulations to the students, staff and all who support them.

Ken Yeung Congratulations! Impressive results.

Jenn Wren Oh my goodness, through pandemics and other challenges, you proved successful. What incredible humans you are.

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GPS Swimming Success

11/3/22 On a very exciting night at Chandler, BGS won the 99th GPS Swimming Championships. Strong swims across the board, including nine individual and four relay wins, ensured the victory. Emotions were running high for BGS swimmers.

Comments +

Nicole Jordan Outstanding achievement! A testimony to the hard work and unwavering commitment from the swimmers and coaches Bobby Jovanovich, Matt Logan, Sarah Caithness, Hiromi Barnett.

Ian Howlett Hard work is rewarded! Well done boys.

Nadene Whittome Fantastic effort by every swimmer! Champions.

Neil Alcorn That’s brilliant! Congratulations team.

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Cricket

More than 420 boys represented BGS Cricket in 2022. Seven teams finished the season undefeated and a

further seven teams finished as competition leaders. Overall, 24 out of 33 teams finished in a podium position. Adam Johansen (6A) was named Junior Cricketer of the Year for the second season in a row,

while Ben Rothwell (8A) was awarded Senior Cricketer of the Year. The First XI finished the season as undefeated GPS Premiers, taking out the Earle Williams trophy for the first time since 2013.

Rowing

BGS Rowing was proudly represented by almost 200 students in 2022. During challenging circumstances culminating in the flooding event in February, boys overcame adversity and built character and resilience. Despite the setbacks, the team competed at every available competition and finished the season diligently, with the Year 9 age group performing well at the Head of the River event.

Swimming

BGS Swimming had a successful 2022 season, winning the 99th GPS Swimming Championships and placing fourth in the Junior GPS Swimming Carnival. Strong performances across the board, including nine individual and four relay wins, contributed to the success at the GPS Swimming Championships. In a spectacular conclusion to the championships, both Open Relay teams won their respective events – a rare accomplishment for any school at GPS and the first time BGS has achieved the honour since 1989.

Debating

It was a challenging but rewarding season for GPS Debating. BGS debaters in all 20 teams

Volleyball

At the beginning of the season, members of BGS Volleyball set themselves a challenge to demonstrate a winning mindset, be accountable to one other and be the ultimate teammate. As a program, BGS won 65% of all matches contested with podium finishes in every year level. The collective effort of all teams contributed to a second-place finish for BGS on the overall leader board.

Sailing

It was a strong 2022 season for BGS Sailing. BGS won the Queensland Schools Teams Racing Championship – the School’s 12th victory in the competition’s 33-year history. BGS also took out the inaugural GPS Foundation Cup. Sailing Captain Isaac Schotte, along with crew Levi Phun, also achieved first place in the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Schools Fleet Racing competition.

from Years 5 to Year 12 were exceptionally committed, debating passionately in every round. The Senior A Team finished third in a very competitive season, while the 11.2 team finished joint first and the Year 7 teams were undefeated.

The 53rd annual BGS Art Show saw record sales as art lovers responded to a magnificent exhibition featuring a diverse range of artists.

Beginning with the opening Gala Evening on Friday 6 May and continuing throughout BGS Open Day, guests were treated to a variety of paintings, drawings, original prints, photography, jewellery, sculpture, and ceramics.

The BGS Art Support Group this year decided to provide opportunities to a greater number of artists to exhibit their work rather than a single feature artist.

BGS Art Show 2022

The artists were given the chance to bring their own special guests to the Artists and Friends evening, while the Gala Evening was a special occasion to build community spirit at BGS.

With a new floor layout in Centenary Hall and a gallerystyle feel to the exhibition, the artworks were given prime position and guests loved what they saw.

All funds raised will support the Art Department, the BGS Emerging Artist Award, the School’s Artist-in-Residence programs, and the procurement

and maintenance of the School’s Art Collection.

Of course, the BGS Art Show is about much more than art

Above BGS Art Support Group.

sales, and students benefited from the opportunity of having such a high-quality exhibition in their own school. By welcoming parents, prospective families, distinguished guests, sponsors, and artists into BGS, the School also builds connections with the wider community.

As one of the social and cultural highlights of the BGS community calendar, the BGS Art Support Group this year aligned the event’s branding with that of the School. Buildings were awash with blue and gold light as guests were welcomed with a special Aperol Spritz drink – inspired by one of this year’s artworks – and invited to share a festive evening of good food and wine, great company, and wonderful live music from current and past students.

The BGS Art Show was organised by hardworking volunteers from the Art Support

Group, and we thank all those involved for their efforts. We are always looking for new members, so please reach out if you would like to take on a specific role, help with the Art Show, or come as a guest to one of our other social events.

The success of the BGS Art Show is due in no small part to the people and technology behind the scenes. Past parents Lisa and Adrian Bell have been heavily involved over a number of years, and Adrian developed the platform used to manage the logistics of the Art Show.

We thank Adrian and his company Entelsoft for their longstanding support of the BGS Art Show.

We also would like to thank Jubilee Framers who hang the works. Stefan Aleksiev and his team have great skill, a good eye, and even came in on a public holiday to assist us this year.

We thank our other supporters for their services and donations to our raffles. We can’t do this show without them, so please support those who support us!

Peta Spence

BGS Art Support Group President

The BGS Art Show gratefully acknowledges our supporters

Above Guests attend the Gala Evening.

2021 Academic Results

The Class of 2021 achieved outstanding results, with a median ATAR of 95.30. This result is particularly impressive given the School’s large non-selective cohort of 285 boys.

Eleven students achieved the top rank of 99.95 – a truly extraordinary outcome, with only 32 students receiving this rank across Queensland. A further four students received an ATAR of 99.90.

Six BGS graduates received awards at the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) 2021 Academic Awards.

Elijah Wong was named Queensland’s top student, while Ethan Lee, Roger Look, Thomas Strooper, Ken Anulomsombat and Luke Liu were recognised as Distinguished Academic Achievers.

Wong’s outstanding results included straight As in all his subjects with a perfect ATAR

of 99.95. He is now studying Medicine at Griffith University. BGS Headmaster Anthony Micallef commended the adaptability of the Class of 2021, highlighting that the School’s pursuit of excellence across all areas contributed to the strong results.

“Since the pandemic, the Class of 2021 had to adapt to changes and challenges,” Mr Micallef said. “Their outstanding ATAR results speak to their resilience, and the culture of excellence fostered over many years at Brisbane Grammar School.

“We aspire to be the best school for boys in Australia, providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and enabling them to develop a sense of belonging and maximise their potential.

“The exceptional ATAR results of the Class of 2021 were made possible by a strong academic

culture, high cocurricular participation, and a focus on student wellbeing.”

Mr Micallef praised BGS teaching staff who continually promote a culture of deep thinking and targeted feedback for students.

“We recognise that the relationship between parents, teachers and students is vital and focus on building a strong partnership between home and school,” he said.

“School should be fun – happy students are more likely to be successful. We see it as our mission to bring out our boys’ talents, widen their interests and develop their personal qualities while making lifelong connections.

“We aim to cultivate integrity, embrace creativity, encourage teamwork, and promote an open mindset.”

Their outstanding ATAR results speak to their resilience and the culture of excellence fostered over many years at Brisbane Grammar School.

In Pursuitof Excellence

For more than 150 years, Brisbane Grammar School has been a model of educational excellence throughout Australia.

Now, the DNA of the School has been captured in a new official tagline: In Pursuit of Excellence. The tagline –endorsed by the Board in 2021 – is the result of an extensive research process and many generations of achievement.

Entrenched as the leading school for boys in Queensland, BGS continues to reinvent itself. Balancing history with innovation, the School has been relentless in its pursuit of excellence at all levels. This pursuit is also embodied in the School’s motto, nil sine labore –nothing without work.

Excellence is apparent in the

School’s infrastructure – from the grandeur of the Great Hall, the heritage of the War Memorial Library, the cuttingedge Indoor Sports Centre, and the groundbreaking STEAM Precinct, which will open its doors in mid-2023.

Former School Captain and Old Boy Josh Grice ’17 said he recognised Brisbane Grammar School’s “proud culture of excellence” as soon as he entered the school gates.

“I had become part of a place where learning was valued and celebrated… where every boy was told they had the capacity to lead and was given an opportunity to do so,” he said.

Excellence has always been found in BGS people. The inaugural Chairman of the Board

of Trustees was Sir Charles Lilley, a former Chief Justice and Premier of Queensland.

A journalist, politician and judge, Lilley was unwavering in his vision and efforts for a comprehensive system of free education in Queensland.

Trustees and Headmasters who followed have aimed to embody Lilley’s pursuit of excellence, and the highest academic achievers each year are awarded Lilley Medals.

Excellence is evident in the School’s educators and its leading approach to teaching and learning.

Excellence is also apparent in the School’s academic outcomes. The BGS median ATAR of 95.30 in 2021 rivals any boys’ school in Australia.

- Ben Tolliday ’96.

The BGS environment fostered excellence in academia, culture and sport.

Eleven BGS Class of 2021 students earned the highest possible ATAR of 99.95 – more than a third of the 32 possible perfect ATARs awarded across the state. The class created ‘The Grammar Gateway’ – a repository of online resources to support their peers’ learning.

According to robotics expert Professor Michael Milford ’98, this tradition of boys supporting each other goes back a long way at BGS.

“I got to meet, be inspired by and learn from some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, many of whom are friends today,” he said. “The peer atmosphere at BGS was incredible in terms of inspiration, motivation and learning opportunities.

“Being around passionate, driven people chasing their dreams and exercising the self discipline and persistence required to compete on a world stage was a fabulous environment for encouraging lifelong adherence to those principles in yourself.”

A BGS education has prepared scores of Old Boys to attend and excel at leading universities around the world.

One recent example is Marcus Ray ’18, who will graduate from the University of Oxford this year before attending Harvard University on a scholarship.

The excellent academic outcomes,

The peer atmosphere at BGS was incredible in terms of inspiration, motivation and learning opportunities.

- Professor Michael Milford ’98

together with the development of BGS graduates as outstanding citizens, have seen Old Boys experience success in a growing number of disciplines.

Countless Old Boys liken their education at BGS to a period of enlightenment – a time in their lives when they were challenged by their peers and inspired by their teachers.

Dr James Fielding ’04, founder of hearing health technology company Audeara, said BGS provided him a sense of belonging and the belief to pursue excellence at school and beyond.

“Being at BGS, surrounded by so many people who are so amazing at so many things, you believe you can fit into that space,” he said.

“It was very easy to see what success looked like. It was an achievable goal, and it broke down so many barriers around what life could be like.”

Likewise, endurance athlete and mentor Richard Thompson ’02 said the collective pursuit of excellence at BGS increased his individual potential to succeed.

“It felt like everyone was rowing the boat in the same direction for the benefit of the group,” he said.

It was very easy to see what success looked like. It was an achievable goal, and it broke down so many barriers around what life could be like.

- Dr James Fielding ’04

Medical entrepreneur and Queensland Rugby Union Chairman Brett Clark ’85 said attending the School helped him “see the world with a different lens” and made him “dare to dream”.

International sound engineer Ben Tolliday ’96 said he was encouraged to participate and achieve across various areas during his time at BGS.

“I’m tremendously grateful for the School’s encouragement to simultaneously study hard, practice music and play sport,” he said.

“We were encouraged to be Renaissance men – an ideal I still endeavour to uphold in my life and career. The BGS environment fostered excellence in academia, culture and sport.”

BGS will release a new video to embody its In Pursuit of Excellence tagline. Watch the video via brisbanegrammar.com. The photos used to accompany this feature story were captured as part of the video shoot.

Featured Images

Page 18 Long-serving Middle School

teacher Stella Gardner with BGS students

Page 20 BGS Robotics in action

Page 23 Aiming for success in BGS Cricket

Page 24 Former refugee and BGS Old Boy

Raziq Qasimi ‘14

“I learned that amazing things happen when you work hard and have people in your team supporting you.”

I met some wonderful and inspiring teachers at BGS. The education that you receive at BGS is certainly second to none.

- Raziq Qasimi ’14

In Pursuitof Excellence

A tagline only works if the organisation understands, supports, and lives it. What does In Pursuit of Excellence mean to BGS staff? Find out in these responses from staff members across a variety of areas.

Excellence, like the destination of a literary quest, is not where the rewards are found. Rather, we enrich our experiences by finding a way through the difficulties, over the stumbles and beyond the mistakes to pursue the best of ourselves and each other. In English, pursuing excellence means embracing the possibilities of ‘better’ to achieve one’s best. Is there a better word? Is there a better example? Is there a better way of achieving my purpose?

Greg Howes ’98 Head of English

The pursuit of excellence is characterised by our History students who develop understanding by reading widely and testing their ideas and arguments through robust discussion. Students painstakingly search for the best sources and evidence, write original interpretations and are prepared to rewrite their work. Excellence is achieved by accepting the challenge to give nothing but your best effort.

Chris Price School Historian and Archivist

The BGS Library is committed to the pursuit of excellence in everything we do by providing specialised instruction and academic resources to enrich boys’ research and literacy skills, engaging book collections, lessons and events to promote reading for pleasure; vibrant and welcoming spaces to support student learning, collaboration, and wellbeing; and a dynamic website and social media presence to engage with the wider BGS community.

Cathy Oxley Director of Information Services

In the Finance team, we don’t want to just be good compared to other schools. We look at best practice across industries and pursue excellence in those areas of high impact to our people and families. For example, we’ve recently expanded and simplified our online payments systems for parents, following precedents set by banks and utilities companies. A financially robust school is one that is primed to invest in exciting projects such as the STEAM Precinct, Boarding upgrade, and the Digital Transformation Program. The pursuit of excellence requires us not to rest on our laurels; it necessitates a relentless yearning to sustain our great school’s exceptional legacy.

Brett Walker-Davies ’04 Director of Finance

Robotics requires iterative improvements. Our boys research, design, plan, engineer and test each component of their robots to make them as good as possible. Once that process is complete, they repeat it. Working collaboratively to achieve team objectives means the pursuit of excellence is a shared experience. Each robot and team becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

Simon Canfield Head of Robotics

From a Science perspective, the pursuit of excellence runs on many fronts. On one front, it is the research and development of curriculum for the boys, coupled with the development of learning and teaching strategies, utilising the Effective Thinking Cultures. On another front, it is the development of staff capacity to enable teaching of the highest quality and best practice, with a focus on collaborative practice, team building and enhancing the positive culture within the department. Lastly, it is the development of world-class facilities such as the STEAM Precinct that will allow BGS to redefine how Science is taught into the future.

John Atkins Head of Science

A BGS education provides a diverse generation of students with STEAM initiatives that cultivate creative, innovative and effective thinkers. The pursuit of excellence is fostered through student-centred and inclusive programs where students work towards becoming problem solvers, collaborative leaders, autonomous thinkers and aspirational learners.

Tanya Neilsen

Principal Project Officer –STEAM and Related Learning

’04,

In Pursuit of Excellence goes to the core values of the BGS culture, which manifests in how we deliver our education experience, support our boys, and deliver the service our parents expect.

- Brett Walker-Davies

Director of Finance

Innovation on the World Stage

BGS Old Boy Dr Sean Parsons ’97 was working in the Emergency Department at Caboolture Hospital during the height of the Swine Flu epidemic when a young man came in wondering if he had the virus.

Dr Parsons, who was trained at The University of Queensland, took the man’s sample to the laboratory to confirm that he had, in fact, tested positive.

Following the usual procedure, Dr Parsons wrote a script for antiviral medication, explained the infectious nature of the disease, and sent the patient on his way.

“When he left, I realised that he had what he needed to recover as swiftly as possible and reduce the spread within his community,” Dr Parsons later recalled. “But goodness knows how many people he gave it to while waiting there in Emergency.”

With that realisation, in 2010 Dr Parsons established Ellume, a digital diagnostics company, and set about developing a home

test so that patients could detect influenza without contributing to its spread.

When COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020, Ellume was well placed to rapidly develop and begin manufacturing high-quality digital diagnostic tests to be used in the community.

“I was certain there would be another pandemic, although I thought it would be flu rather than COVID,” Dr Parsons said. “Fortunately, our technology can be adapted quickly, and we were the first company to have an over-the-counter COVID test approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”

Ellume’s COVID-19 home testing kit is simple but effective, combining a nasal swab and a digital analyser which connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone app. Users are delivered results within 15 minutes and provided connectivity to telemedicine.

“As we all now know, to manage

a pandemic like COVID-19 you have to make an early diagnosis. The earlier you can do that the better,” Dr Parsons said.

Between December 2020 and February 2021, Ellume’s COVID test was approved by the FDA and the company secured a US$230 million contract with the US Department of Defense to ramp up production and distribution of the tests.

A little over 12 months later, Ellume opened a state-of-theart diagnostic manufacturing facility in Frederick, a city around 80km northwest of Washington DC. It also partnered with CVS pharmacies to distribute tests in over 7000 stores across the US.

The whirlwind two years has seen Dr Parsons transition from clinician to CEO, build two manufacturing facilities in the US and Australia, hire dozens of new staff members, and transform a research and development business to a manufacturing business.

As Ellume continues its

Without a doubt, BGS helped me prepare for university and beyond.

expansion into North American markets and develops new products to detect influenza and COVID-19, Dr Parsons is ambitious for the company to lead the world in creating access to affordable and effective healthcare by connecting digital diagnostics to clinical care.

“I’m a very product-focused business leader and the clinical benefit of our products is at the forefront of our company. This means that I’m still thinking about patients and healthcare, albeit in a different way to being a doctor,” he said.

“The business leadership has come over time and by drawing on the experience of other terrific business leaders in and around Ellume. The learning curve has been steep, but it’s been an enjoyable part of the Ellume growth story.”

Still based in Brisbane, Dr Parsons said he has “many great memories” of his years at BGS, from the camps at Moogerah to the good times he shared with classmates on the sporting field and during cocurricular activities.

“Without a doubt, BGS helped me prepare for university and beyond. That groundwork came partly from what I learned in the classroom, partly from what I learned in sports and activities outside the classroom, and partly from the culture of striving to achieve one’s best in all aspects of life.

“Once the business grew significantly in the US, I found myself on a lot of early calls and working quite strange hours. My years of rowing at BGS have prepared me for very early starts!”

More than a decade on from

Dr Parsons’ lightbulb moment at Caboolture Hospital, his approach to building and managing Ellume personifies Brisbane Grammar School’s new tagline, In Pursuit of Excellence

“The goals we set for ourselves are perhaps the most important markers in our lives. It is against those goals that we labour, strive, and ultimately measure ourselves and our accomplishments,” he said.

“These are necessarily different for everyone but are no more or less worthy than each other. The goals of the astronaut are no more or less worthy than those of the Wallabies captain, the neurosurgeon, the professor, the CEO, or the stay-at-home father.

“They should have the common theme of pursuing excellence and for that reason I think the tagline is a terrific one for BGS.”

Learning from the World’s Best

BGS Old Boy Marcus Ray ’18 will become one of the rare students to study at the University of Oxford and Harvard University in the same year.

After graduating from BGS in 2018, Ray was accepted to Oxford to study a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He graduated in June this year and will attend Harvard for two semesters, having been awarded the prestigious von Clemm Fellowship.

The fellowship is given to one Oxford finalist or recent graduate each year to study at Harvard for a year.

Ray said a condition of the fellowship is that one or more courses must be in something unfamiliar to you.

“I’ve decided to take Swahili and potentially Arabic, alongside courses like Challenges to American National Security, Chinese Foreign Policy, and

Public Policy Modules,” he said.

During his time at Oxford, the 2018 BGS School Captain learned from some of the world’s leading academics.

“I’ve made fantastic friends at my college and beyond from the UK and around the world – all of whom are very knowledgeable and passionate about the subjects they study.

“Oxford is richly steeped in history. Old libraries, formal halls and the like are not for everyone, but they do imbue student life with a sense of mystery and allure you won’t find in many other places.”

Reflecting on his BGS journey, Ray said the School provided him with an excellent platform to pursue different opportunities and interests.

“I’ve also had a chance to

many interesting and unique activities, from travelling to Jordan and Lebanon on behalf of an international human rights consultancy to editing for a quarterly political review.

“My experiences at BGS and the people who supported me were very influential in my decision to study at Oxford and Harvard.

“All my Year 12 teachers were amazing – their guidance and the important role they played in my academic journey have served me well in the past few years.”

What truly makes Oxford special is the people you meet, the opportunities it offers, and its history.

engage in

Old Boy Inducted into US Honour Society

BGS Old Boy Ashmit Vyas ’17 has been granted membership to the oldest honour society in the United States.

Vyas, who recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Economics, was admitted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, which was founded in 1776 and celebrates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.

“The coursework was intensive, but it was tremendously rewarding to work with some of the brightest minds in the field,” he said.

Despite outstanding academic achievements at the Ivy League university, Vyas said his favourite moments at UPenn “have all taken place outside of the classroom”.

During his time in the US, Vyas has captained the university football team to a national championship, debated in Washington DC and attended lectures by President Joe Biden and best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell.

Vyas said his diverse interests were nurtured at BGS, where he made lifelong friends and was

taught to prioritise continuous learning “above awards and accolades”.

“I distinctly remember psychoanalysing Shakespearian characters in English, critiquing military strategies in History, designing investment strategies in Economics, and making hot air balloons in Chemistry,” he said.

“At the time, it all felt like fun and games, but I now realise that these experiences were invaluable to my development as a critical thinker.

“More importantly, I found lifelong friends in school. I was able to surround myself with people who not only provided great company but also inspired, encouraged, and challenged me.

“My first year at UPenn was

difficult; I broke my ankle in my first football game, dealt with homesickness, and struggled in some classes.

“Despite being halfway across the world, I was able to rely on the support of my school friends to overcome those challenges.”

To Vyas – who now has offers to study a Master’s degree at Oxford, Cambridge and the London School of Economics – the pursuit of excellence is all about striving for personal growth.

“Brisbane Grammar School’s ability to produce so many outstanding students is no accident – it’s the product of a culture where every boy is encouraged to push his own boundaries every single day.”

Brisbane Grammar School’s ability to produce so many outstanding students is no accident – it’s the product of a culture where every boy is encouraged to push his own boundaries every single day.

BGS Boarding Opens New Facilities

BGS boarders now have access to private, modern rooms in boarding houses rivalling the best in the country.

The reopening of Harlin House this year marked the completion of a significant project that transformed the senior house into a modern home for boys in Years 9 to 12, and turned Griffith House into a specialised junior house for boarders in Years 5 to 8.

With the support of donors, including Old Boy Matt McLennan ‘86 and the P&F Auxiliary, BGS

was able to produce a $5 million redevelopment that offers outstanding boarding facilities, reflecting the School’s aspiration to be the best school for boys in Australia.

Harlin and Griffith Houses were designed to provide a private space for each boy, allowing them to thrive as members of the boarding community. Rooms in Harlin House are completely enclosed, and the open-air rooms in Griffith House have privacy doors for age-appropriate care.

Using Data Better

In April 2022, BGS appointed its first Chief Information Officer, Ms Alexis Hill, to lead the School’s digital transformation.

Ms Hill brings a wealth of experience in information technology in government and mining sectors.

“I have a corporate services background, predominantly working on technology and digital transformation within complex organisations,” she said.

“This is my first time working in the education sector, but there are definitely similarities between the environments and operating models that I’ve worked in previously.”

Ms Hill arrives at BGS as the School ramps up its four-year Digital Transformation Program (DTP) to ensure each student is equipped with the tools to enter the digital economy.

“My understanding is that we are the first school in Australia to invest in a CIO role,” she said.

“The reason Brisbane Grammar School has taken a strategic view around its technology, its people and its processes is to make sure we move closer to our aim to be the best school for boys in Australia.

“The DTP will embed digital capability across the School and create a more integrated learning environment for students and teachers.

“In order to improve the teaching and learning experience for our students, we need to ensure our teachers have the right tools and can seamlessly

access the necessary data and information.”

Ms Hill said one of the key benefits of the DTP for teachers would be reducing the administrative burden so they can spend more time helping students.

“It is crucial that we embed digital literacy across the School,” she said. “It’s all well and good to create new systems and applications, but we also need to

invest time so that students and teachers use the available tools to the best of their ability.”

In summary, the DTP is all about “using data better”, Ms Hill said.

“BGS is a very welcoming and inviting organisation and there’s a really strong sense of purpose. I can see everyone is really committed to making sure we facilitate the best learning outcomes for students.”

The DTP will embed digital capability across the School and create a more integrated learning environment for students and teachers.

A Market Disruptor

For the past two decades, BGS Old Boy Brett Clark ’85 has been at the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical industry in Australia.

In 2000, he established ePharmacy.com.au, Australia’s first online pharmaceutical retailer, before negotiating a merger with Chemist Warehouse in 2004.

The company is now the largest privately owned pharmacy group in the country with more than $6 billion in sales and more than 500 stores employing approximately 17,000 staff.

Clark, who is the Managing Director of ePharmacy and Managing Partner of Chemist Warehouse stores in Queensland and Northern NSW, says he took advantage of the internet to build the business.

“When we launched ePharmacy, no one was on the internet. We were the first functioning eCommerce pharmacy in Australia,” he said.

“When the internet came along, I saw it as an opportunity. I could set my price and have rural and city access – it provided greater accessibility.”

Growing up in the bush with parents who worked for the local bank and post office, Clark said

his time in the country provided him with a good grounding and taught him to embrace sport and community.

At Brisbane Grammar School, he learned the value of hard work and made lifelong friends who continue to play significant roles in his personal and professional life.

“My time at BGS empowered me to see the world with a different lens,” he said. “It made me dare to dream and gave me self belief.”

Clark continued his education at The University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 1988.

By the age of 23, Clark had met his wife, Maria. They went on to have three children, all of whom were born prematurely at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane.

One child, Olivia, sadly passed at just six days old. In her memory, the Clarks founded ‘Olivia’s Lunch’, an annual fundraising event for the Mater Little Miracles program.

Brett and Maria are now ambassadors for the Mater Foundation. So far, they have raised more than $1.5 million for the cause, which has expanded to include Catherine’s House –a mother and baby perinatal

mental health facility.

Clark has also served on the board of the Queensland Ballet, including six years as chair. His innovative approach steered the company through a period of business transformation and strategic change.

At the end of 2019, Clark was appointed to the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) board, with his lifelong connection to rugby having been nurtured at BGS. In March 2022, he was appointed QRU Chairman. During his tenure at QRU, he has established the QRU Foundation, which serves as the philanthropic branch of the business to support rugby in Queensland.

Most recently, Clark was appointed to the board of the Organising Committee for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Looking ahead, Clark said he had ambitions to one day start his own foundation.

“I’m enjoying this stage of my life,” he said. “Our children are grown up now and doing very well with their lives. My wife and I are looking forward to continuing to contribute to our chosen fields and to build a lasting legacy for the future.”

An Opportunity to be a Pioneer

Old Boy Dr Evan Shellshear ’00 has told an assembly of current students to make the most of their time at BGS and have no fear of failure.

The inspiring Foundation Day address, delivered in February, detailed the pivotal role BGS played in Dr Shellshear’s career in mathematics and artificial intelligence.

Dr Shellshear has a PhD in Game Theory from the University of Bielefeld in Germany and many years of international experience working in the development of AI tools for various industries.

“After BGS, you will never have the freedom again to discover your passions. As you embark upon your time here, have a vision of learning to become a full human being – more than just an A in Maths C,” he said.

As the Head of Analytics at Biarri, a world-leading mathematical and predictive modelling company, Dr Shellshear is one of thousands of Old Boys who have carved out successful careers after leaving BGS.

“It is incumbent upon you to begin from this better place at BGS and tackle the world’s

greatest issues knowing full well that if you fail you will be caught. You can safely leave your mark on the world and face its greatest challenges,” he said.

“By being a pioneer, you have a chance to make our existence better but to do that means going outside of your comfort zone, like I did.

“It takes more than good grades; it arises from your development as a human being here at BGS. I attended BGS due to its academic reputation, but this was only a small part of what I got out of my time here.”

I attended BGS due to its academic reputation, but this was only a small part of what I got out of my time here.

From the OBA President

Just as we thought life was starting to return to a new, post-COVID ‘normal’ in 2022, Brisbane and much of the east coast was hit by devastating floods and we were asked again as a community to support one another and help those most affected.

Even though I finished at BGS 35 years ago, some of the lessons and experiences from my school years still provide the perspective to appreciate that collectively we can endure and achieve so much more than we would believe ourselves capable of.

Our role as the BGSOBA committee is to continue to facilitate opportunities both formally and informally for us to connect and maintain that bond. After two years of COVID delays or cancellations, the committee has a very busy year ahead with several opportunities for Old Boys to catch up.

Already this year we have hosted the Foundation Day drinks on the Boarders’ Lawn, where existing Old Boy parents and their partners welcome new parents who are presented with their bespoke Old Boy caps featuring their peer year embroidered on the back.

The Business Breakfasts coordinated by Simon Tolhurst ’87 continue to be popular; a clear reflection of the inquisitive topics and the calibre of speakers. To encourage a greater opportunity to catch up post

breakfast, the Old Boys’ Association will fund a coffee cart for attendees to continue to discuss, debate, catch up or network with the BGS community.

If you haven’t already purchased your nil sine labore T-shirts, I encourage you to head to nilsinelabore.theprintbar.com. There are a variety of styles and colours and are part of a unique brand developed by the Old Boys’ Association.

On Monday 9 May the OBA Committee held their AGM and I am pleased to announce the new committee as follows: Cameron Feltham ’86 (President), Adam Franklin ’97 (Vice President), John Emery ’83 (Secretary), Richard Wheeler ’99 (Treasurer), Cameron McLeod ’88 (Past President), Geoff Clark ’64, Jim MacPherson ’85, Scott Austin ’84, Nick Carroll ’12, Toby Carrigan ’08, Eric Sengstock ’09, Grant Halyday ’99.

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the committee members stepping down this year: Dr Michael Forrest ’87 and Stuart Rees ’79.

I look forward to working with the OBA Committee this year to provide and promote opportunities for Old Boys to enjoy the benefits of being part of this fantastic community.

Cameron Feltham ’86 BGSOBA President

Saving the Great Barrier Reef

Three BGS Old Boys have launched an ambitious project to save and rebuild Queensland’s greatest natural wonder.

Dan Marshall, Curtis Sciacca and Dan Leggo (pictured left to right), who all graduated in 2014, are the founders of Nurtured.Co, an environmental initiative that uses artificial reefs to stimulate the growth of coral and other marine life in the Great Barrier Reef.

The trio, who met at BGS where they bonded over a shared passion for the marine landscape, were spurred into action after witnessing the slow demise of the Great Barrier Reef.

A 2020 study by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies found the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem lost half its coral over the past three decades.

Through Nurtured.Co, Leggo, Marshall and Sciacca plan to expand on existing artificial reefs within Moreton Bay and build more along the Queensland coast.

Nurtured.Co currently has projects on Heron Island, which is located off the coast of Gladstone in the Coral Sea and is surrounded by 24 hectares of coral reef.

Marshall, the company’s Chief

Executive Officer, said there are compelling environmental and economic reasons to preserve coral reefs.

“By 2050, half of the world’s coral reefs will have already been lost or severely damaged. If nothing is done, coral reefs will be the first large scale ecosystem on Earth to entirely collapse,” he said.

“The loss of coral reefs would have far-reaching effects worldwide as they support a

staggering amount of marine life and, consequently, human life.

“Additionally, the Great Barrier Reef supports tens of thousands of jobs. It is essential we reinvest back into the reef and safeguard its future.”

Nurtured.Co uses science and technology to protect one of the seven natural wonders of the world in a cost-effective and scalable manner.

“At Nurtured.Co we use

sacrificial anodes, which react with seawater to produce an electrical current that is supplied to our artificial reefs,” Marshall said.

“This electrical current stimulates minerals from the seawater to precipitate on the artificial reef structure and provides enhanced growing conditions for coral.”

Leggo, Marshall and Sciacca, who are all alumni of the Queensland University of Technology, became friends more than a decade ago at BGS.

Marshall is now responsible for finding new locations for Nurtured.Co’s reefs as well as sourcing materials, technology and government contracts.

Leggo, the Chief Engineer, leads the design process and innovation, while Sciacca oversees the company’s ventures as Chief Strategist.

They credit BGS for stimulating their interest in the natural world and providing them with the tools to tackle one of Australia’s most pressing environmental concerns.

“Brisbane Grammar School laid the foundation for most of the basic scientific knowledge and understanding we still apply today,” Marshall said.

“Through groups like Community Service and excursions in Geography and Biology, we were exposed to various field trips and surveys.

“BGS instilled us with the confidence to invest in ourselves and try to make a difference in the world.”

BGS instilled us with the confidence to invest in ourselves and try to make a difference in the world.

Six BGS Old Boys from the class of 1952 gathered for a reunion at the School in April, continuing an informal tradition that has been going for the last few years.

One of the reunion organisers, 87-year-old Richard Pegg, said the regular get-togethers were instigated by the late John Leslie AO.

“I think John Leslie kicked it off, but he passed away a few years ago. And then mainly it has been left to me,” Pegg said.

“In the last four or five years we usually met at Tattersalls Club. We probably meet two times a year.”

Returning to the School was a great chance to catch up and “tell a few old stories”, said Pegg, who began at BGS in 1949.

“There wasn’t much there back then, only about 300 students

70 Years Strong

and only four years: Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Form – or Years 9, 10, 11, 12 as you would call them now,” he said.

Pegg, who lives in Brisbane, arrived at the School after a diverse upbringing in the Far North, Central Queensland and the Gold Coast.

“I was the third generation to attend Brisbane Grammar School. My father and his brother, and my grandfather and his brother went there,” he said.

“My cousin, Malcolm, is also a third generation and he attended the April reunion. I’ve had a couple of sons attend as well.”

Some of Pegg’s fondest memories of BGS revolve around sport. During his school years, he played in the First team in both rugby and cricket.

“I won the hurdles one year,”

Pegg added, “but only because the best hurdler hit a hurdle and fell over!”

Four of the Old Boys who regularly attend the reunions –Pegg, Bob Bryan, Ray Stringfellow and Ron Moore –were members of the School’s First XV in 1952, although the latter two could not make the April reunion.

Those who could recall the words performed the School’s famous war cry at the reunion, proof that the BGS spirit remains alive 70 years on.

According to Pegg, the Class of 1952 has plans to catch up again later this year.

“After all, in another 10 years we probably won’t be here!” he joked. “As Bob [Bryan] said, ‘we’d better not leave it too long – the Grim Reaper is always lurking!’”

Above Dick Pegg, Dick Paton, Malcolm Pegg, Bob Bryan, Lewis Reinhold, Rodney Gibson, Anthony Micallef (Headmaster).

Special Ceremony for Long-Serving BGS Staff

Thirty-seven long-serving Brisbane Grammar School teachers, business and services staff were recognised by Headmaster Anthony Micallef at a special ceremony in May.

Thirty-one staff members were presented with pins from student leaders in recognition of their 20+ years of service to the School, while six were presented pins for their 30+ years of service.

There were smiles and cheers as teaching, grounds, library, administration, finance, ICT, and sports staff were honoured.

In a speech to the Senior School assembly, Mr Micallef hailed the staff members for their contribution to BGS.

“Today we acknowledge your loyalty, commitment and dedication,” he said.

Mr Micallef, who has worked at the School for nearly three decades, observed that “BGS is a place where most people come and stay”.

“I have often thought about why so many remain – many of them talk about the sense of camaraderie, many talk

about the School’s ethos, but most talk about the students and that sense of contributing to something greater than themselves; that feeling you get when you know you are doing good,” he said.

“I hope that this ceremony respects the remarkable contribution of these people and sends a strong message to our community that learning, leadership, endeavour, respect and community remain powerful values in our school.”

Back row Mr S Uscinski, Mr J Clancy, Mr G McFarlane, Mr S Service, Ms P Douglas, Ms B Auld, Mr I Short, Mr B Scholes, Mr F McClatchy, Ms J Zervos, Mr J Dix.

Middle row Mr S Conway, Mr D McDowall, Ms P Rich, Ms J Sapoungis, Ms S Gardner, Mr M Allport, Mr D Hills, Mr A Mewing, Mr D Myles.

Front row Mr A Micallef (Headmaster), Ms A Twyman, Ms M Ragen, Ms C Cooke, Mr C Price, Mr S Hows, Mr J Humphrey (Chairman), Mr J Noble, Mr C Marshall, Mr S Mitchell.

At Home in the BGS Archives

Chris Price works out of a large office in the basement of The Lilley Centre, surrounded by books, photos and other paraphernalia relating to the history of Brisbane Grammar School.

The veteran teacher, who recently took up a new role as School Historian and Archivist, has long been ‘Mr History’ at BGS thanks to his unwavering passion and encyclopaedic knowledge of the School’s heritage.

“I’m very grateful that the School is committed to preserving its past,” Mr Price said. “To have a job like this is fantastic.”

Price began teaching at BGS in 1988, during a time of great change for both the School and the state.

The big event that year was

Expo 88, which is now widely regarded as a major turning point for Queensland. At BGS, too, there was an atmosphere of “renewal and change”, Mr Price said.

From the very beginning, Mr Price was in awe of the history and traditions of the School.

“The title of the first chapter of the sesquicentenary book, Light Dark Blue, is ‘Brisbane’s Grammar School’,” he said. “It really was Brisbane’s school – everybody bought into it.

“The Grammar Schools Act of 1860 didn’t say you must have a Grammar School; it said if you want a Grammar School, we’ll support you.

“The founders were intelligent people who had left the old country, or Sydney, and carved out a new school against the odds.”

That spirit, he said, has been faithfully maintained by successive generations of students and teachers and is captured by the School’s motto nil sine labore –nothing without work.

“This place is all about people with aspirations taking opportunities,” said Mr Price, who has held various positions at BGS and coached students in rugby, cricket and debating.

Mr Price believes his new role –which, in essence, is about giving new life to old stories and material – is a natural progression.

“When I started teaching here, I asked former Headmaster and then Head of History, Brian Short, if we could introduce a unit on the history of the School,” he recalled.

“I gathered together many articles and bits and pieces around the place and started working with the newly appointed Archivist in 1989, Pam Barnett.

“We have done a great job over the past 30 years in preserving our artefacts and our records and communicating our stories.”

During that time, Mr Price also worked closely with Barnett’s successor, Vivien Harris, and served on the BGS Sesquicentenary History

Left Mr Chris Price with BGS Public Speaking winners in 1991

Committee in the lead up to the School’s 150-year anniversary in 2018.

“It was a five-year project for the author, Helen Penrose, to write the sesquicentenary book. I contributed to the research project, including interviewing more than 50 Old Boys,” he said.

“We have many tangible treasures – gold medals, swords and trophies – but our greatest treasure is our alumni.”

To that end, Mr Price is determined to find new ways to connect current students to the stories and traditions of BGS Old Boys.

“People make a significant

commitment when they come to this school: it’s an emotional commitment, a financial commitment and they become part of a community,” he said.

“We have a lot of second and third generation students here, so being able to connect our current community to our achievements and our values is really important.”

The preservation of history is “about establishing identity and character,” he said, adding that, “if you know who you are, you know where you’re going.”

While Mr Price’s job as a historian is to make sense of the past, he is also well-placed to

comment on the present and the future.

“I think we’re embracing innovation and we’re looking to stay ahead of the game with initiatives like STEAM,” he said, referring to the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics Precinct taking shape not far from his office.

“Both BGS leadership and the Board of Trustees have been willing to push the boundaries and search for better frameworks and ways of doing things. To me, it’s like that foundation period: we are setting the School and our students up for a very, very different world.”

We have many tangible treasures – gold medals, swords and trophies – but our greatest treasure is our alumni.

Above Helen and Steven Sherington in the War Memorial Library, looking up their family history in the School Register

The Sword Sellheim

Mameluke sword of Major-General Victor Sellheim (BGS 1881-1884)

This Mameluke Sword was presented to Major General Victor Sellheim after a distinguished military and political career. He entered BGS in 1881 and was part of the Cadet guard of honour for Princes Edward and George when they visited the School. A fine athlete, he was the 100-yard running champion and captained both Cricket and Football. After joining the Kennedy Regiment, he later served in South Africa and in WWI. He ended his career as Administrator of Norfolk Island.

Upcoming BGS Events

Saturday 27 August

Gala Gatho

Everyone Welcome.

Dinner/Drinks, Live Music Dancing

Hosted by the P&F and Old Boys Associations

Venue Fortitude Music Hall

Tickets On sale mid-July

Sunday 28 August

Sunday Shindig

Young alumni event for BGS and BGGS Classes of 2016 – 2021 Venue The Lord Alfred Hotel Time 3.30pm to 7.30pm

Wednesday 14 September Business Breakfast

Property: Current trends in a disruptive market

Venue The Grove, 480 Queen St Brisbane Time 7.00am to 8.30am

See the Events page of Brisbane Grammar School for further details. For

Let’s make history this Giving Day by demonstrating the generosity of our community.

The STEAM Precinct is being built to last 100 years. Your support will help secure the education of generations to come.

The Bursary Fund is currently supporting 35 students. Your support will help to achieve our vision of supporting 10% of the BGS cohort (180 students). brisbanegrammar.com/giving to learn more.