04 From the School Council Chair

JULY

25 BBC boys travelled to Cape York as part of the Red Earth Indigenous Immersion Program, where they completed a service project, gained an understanding of the challenges faced by members of these remote indigenous communities, and experienced a very different way of living in our incredible country.

9

OCTOBER

The BBC Foundation Giving Day raised $333,782 in support of the Bursary and Building Fund which will benefit BBC boys now and into the future. The community came together to celebrate the opening and naming of the Graham Thomson AM grandstand on Old Boys’ Hill, overlooking Miskin Oval. Mr Thomson, a long serving BBC Headmaster (1974 to 1989, later providing additional support in 1996) was humbled to have this facility named in his honour. “It is an absolute privilege to be recognised in this way. The grandstand overlooks the Rugby field where I vividly remember BBC winning our first Rugby Premiership in 1954. I haven’t missed many games since, and it was tremendous to cheer the First XV to a Premiership again in 2020.” Having dedicated much of his life to Brisbane Boys’ College, the PMSA and education in Queensland, this is a fitting tribute for Graham Thomson AM.

5

JUNE

Our 2021 College Prefects coordinated the College Camp Out to raise funds for The Salvation Army Australia Red Shield Appeal. Our boys slept in their backyards and on their back decks to show their support for people around Australia who are on the streets every night. Participation in this Prefect led initiative helped to raise crucial funds for The Salvation Army’s vast network of community service and social programs.

SEPTEMBER

04

From the School Council Chair

The Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) is the governing body of Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College, Somerville House, and Sunshine Coast Grammar School.

The BBC Council is a standing committee of the PMSA, which operates only by means of and within special powers delegated to it by the Association. Its primary objective is to provide advisory support to the BBC Headmaster and the PMSA CEO, Chair and Board in relation to all matters of operation of the College.

2021 members of the BBC Council are:

• Mr Don O’Rorke (Chair) • Mrs Sarah Cox

• Mr Vaughan Henry • Mr Paul Martin

• Mr Hamish Turner OAM

In addition, the Acting Headmaster, Mr Damon Emtage, was an ex officio non-voting member of the BBC Council.

There have been several changes to the membership of the Council during 2021. I was appointed to the role of Chair at the PMSA Annual General Meeting held in June 2021, following Mr Vaughan Henry acting in the role since February 2021. We thank Mr Henry for his leadership of the Council throughout his term as Acting Chair. It was an eventful and challenging year for everyone involved with Brisbane Boys’ College. The College’s transition to Learning at Home during the height of the global pandemic was commendable, with the processes and procedures put in place resulting in minimal disruption to teaching and learning. I acknowledge the efforts of the Acting Headmaster, his Executive team and the entire College staff in rising to the challenges presented by such unprecedented times to deliver continuity of learning and care for every boy.

The College is entering an exciting period in its history with newly appointed Headmaster, Andre Casson, having commenced at the beginning of 2022.

Mr Casson brings a depth of experience internationally, as well as locally, and we look forward to assisting him with developing and executing his vision for the College.

The Council is excited about its new brief to assist the voice of students and parents in creating and executing policy for the College, and particularly being very active and visible in the life of the College.

Brisbane is undoubtedly one of the most exciting places to be in a post-COVID-19 Olympic environment, and we look forward to assisting students present, past and future in rising to the opportunities this presents.

MR DON O’RORKE

CHAIR, BBC COUNCIL

05

School Governance

School Council

The Brisbane Boys’ College School Council is delegated the responsibility to govern and administer the performance of the school.

Each PMSA school is governed by a School Council which consists of up to nine members. Each School Council is a committee of the PMSA Board and includes the school’s Headmaster as a nonvoting member, up to two PMSA Board members, and up to six independent School Council members appointed from the school’s community. The PMSA Board delegates the responsibility for governance oversight, administration and performance to these School Councils. Headmasters report to these School Councils and have operational responsibility for the schools.

Each School Council’s Charter outlines the School Council’s objectives, responsibilities, and governance framework as well as their relationship to the PMSA Group.

Mr Don O’Rorke - Chair

Don O’Rorke is a leading Queensland property developer and investor, and as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Consolidated Properties Group, has successfully shaped the business over the past four decades.

Committed to giving back to the communities he helps develop, Don values and supports philanthropic initiatives that benefit the community.

Don has extensive experience serving on several boards in commercial, not-for-profit and industry organisations and is the past Chairman of BBC Foundation Limited.

Don is a proud BBC Old Boy (OC 1977), past boarder and current parent with five sons at the College. As the BBC Council Chair, Don is excited to share his vision for BBC and support the ongoing success of the school.

Key current non-executive directorships includes: • Chair, Brisbane Boys’ College Council • Surfing Australia, as member of the Financial Audit and Risk

Committee

• Reserve Bank’s Small Business Finance Advisory Panel • Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board • Chairman of BBC (Brisbane Boys College) Foundation Limited. Previous non-executive directorship: • Director of Brisbane Marketing • President of Queensland, Property Council of Australia • Director and Deputy Chairman of the Wesley Research

Institute

• Chairman of Links Hope Island Golf Course • Awarded Honorary Life Member of Surfing Australia in 2017 for service to the organisation since 2003 • Board Member of Surfing Australia for 12 years • The Old Museum (Brisbane) Advisory Board