Alumni Awards

RGS past students take many different paths in life after they leave the School. The annual RGS Distinguished Past Student Awards Dinner on 24 July recognised students and a past teacher who have gone above and beyond in their chosen careers.

DISTINGUISHED PAST STUDENT AWARD ROD LAVER RGS 1947 – 1949

Rod Laver is widely considered one of Australia’s greatest ever tennis players. Rod was the first male tennis player to win two calendar year Grand Slams – with wins at Wimbledon, the Australian, French and US Opens in both 1962 and again in 1969. Rod was ranked number one in the world in nine different years and ended his career with 200 singles titles, including 11 Grand Slam titles. Rod also represented Australia in Davis Cup tennis, winning five titles. Rod was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981 and in 2000 was bestowed the honour of having centre court at Melbourne Park renamed Rod Laver Arena.

DISTINGUISHED PAST STUDENT AWARD GARY LARSON RGS 1983 – 1984

Gary played 24 consecutive games for Queensland in the 1990s and represented Australia in nine games. Reflecting on his Queensland duties Gary said, “My attitude in every game I played in that Origin arena was that I didn’t want to let anyone down.” Gary played 233 games for the North Sydney Bears and 17 games at Parramatta before retiring from professional rugby league. While at RGS, Gary was also selected in the Australian schoolboys rugby union team.

DISTINGUISHED PAST STUDENT AWARD RACHEL DOWNIE RGS 1985 – 1987

In 2020, Rachel was awarded the Queensland Australian of the Year for her work with education and helping young people to say something when they see or experience harm. Twenty-five years ago Rachel became an educator to help young people flourish. After losing a Year 9 student to suicide, Rachel decided she needed to find a way to support young people to seek help for themselves and their peers. This led Rachel to developing and self-funding Stymie – an old-fashioned word for stop – to allow students to anonymously report harm without fear.

Study Pharmacy at JCU

5 STARS FOR:

Social Equity Full-time Employment Skills Development Student Support Learner Engagement

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARD HUGH GRANT RGS 1954 – 1957

In 1964, Hugh was admitted as a solicitor in the State of Queensland, two years later joining the Grant & Simpson Lawyers partnership. Hugh was a Member of the Council of Queensland Law Society from 1983 – 1997, and Society President in 1996 and 1997. Hugh was also Chairman of the Iwasaki Foundation.

RGS PAST STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING ACHIEVER AWARD JOHN PRICE RGS 1981 – 1985

John worked for ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) for 20 years and was ASIC Commissioner in 2015, 2018 and 2020. Internationally, John represented Australia through IOSCO (International Organisation of Securities Commissions) and the Trans-Tasman Banking Council.

Read more about our award winners in the RGS past students publication, The Grammarian – www.rgs. qld.edu.au/community/ publications

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARD ERROL PAYNE RGS 1958 – 1961

Emeritus Professor Errol Payne has made a substantial contribution to tertiary education in Central Queensland, helping develop other CQU campuses in Bundaberg, Gladstone and Mackay. Also a volunteer at the Rockhampton Heritage Village, Errol was named Rockhampton Regional Council Citizen of the Year in 2019.

RGS PAST STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP PAM DRILLIS RGS 1983 – 2015

Pam Drillis was the former Head of Home Economics at RGS, working with students in the Secondary and Primary schools. Many students considered Pam the “mother” of RGS. Pam was one of just two female teaching staff when she started at RGS. Pam also enjoyed her role with the School’s Golf co-curricular programme.

Flynn rewarded for persistence

FLYNN GEDDES (RGS 2019)

In June this year Flynn Geddes proudly stood on the stage at Brisbane Town Hall and accepted a Duke of Edinburgh Gold International Award from the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC (pictured above). It was in that moment that years of personal dedication came to fruition. Here is Flynn’s story: “The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award will forever hold a special place in my heart. A highly rewarding experience that focuses on the principals of community, service, and self-improvement. As part of the award programme I had to demonstrate a commitment to five key components for a few years. For my service component, I volunteered at 98.5FM 4YOU Radio learning how to host and produce my own segment every week; for my skill component, I developed skills in horsemanship; I committed myself to a physical routine at a local gym for my physical component and two adventurous journeys which were one of the highlights of my experiences. I hiked the mountains of the Gold Coast for 4 days and 3 nights on two occasions, carrying everything in and everything out and for the Gold residential project and I completed an acting course at Nida held in Brisbane over 5 days. During this programme, I not only learnt valuable skills in time management, commitment, and self-assessment but I also met incredible people from all walks of life. These people not only offered support and encouragement but demonstrated empathy and respect to all participants. I thank The Rockhampton Grammar School for allowing me to undertake this endeavour while I was still at school. Also, to mention my extraordinary mentors including Mr Boicos (RGS), for guiding me throughout my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award journey. This would not have been nearly as impactful without their support.”

WE SEE YOUR TALENT

WITH THE PRINCIPAL’S RECOMMENDATION SCHEME

Success at university takes motivation, passion, determination and talent, and we know this isn’t always captured in your school grades. If you’re in Year 12, the Principal’s Recommendation Scheme offers an alternate pathway for eligible courses+ so you can apply for a course and receive an unconditional* offer based on the recommendation of your school Principal. Then you can rest easy, knowing you’ve got a secure spot at CQUniversity. Find out more

www.cqu.edu.au/prs

TAFE AND UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATIONS

CRICOS: 00219C | RTO: 40939