4 minute read
Music Talent
RGS athlete sprints to gold
RGS Year 12 student Jett Grundy is a quiet achiever making his name known in national athletics circles. Jett, 17, won a 400m gold medal in the Oceania Athletics Championships in Mackay last term. In his first international competition, Jett clocked a personal best time of 48.34 seconds to win the event. This followed a fourth place at nationals in the 400m. The Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games are in Jett’s sights. “I’ve competed in athletics at a school level since Prep and began taking it seriously in Year 9 when I joined the Keppel Coast Athletics Club and started training on a regular basis,’’ Jett said. Jett’s passion for athletics started with cross country events before shifting to shorter distances of 100m, 200m and the 400m. “I enjoy the feeling of running fast rather then the slow pace of the longer distances. While the 400m is my main event, I still prefer the 100m and 200m. The 400m is such an agonising race where you have to push your body to its physical and mental limits, which is why I do not enjoy it as nearly as much as the shorter distances,’’ Jett said. “I want to continue my athletics after school, where I am aiming to make the U20 World juniors in a few years, and maybe even the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. I am hoping to study at UQ next year and find a diverse range of opportunities, not only focusing on running.” RGS students from Prep to Year 12 dazzled in the 2022 RGS Music Festival at the Pilbeam Theatre on 11 June.
While some young students were taking to the stage for the first time, for two performers took their final bow at a Music Festival after having made their debuts in Prep. Year 12 students Millicient Rayner and George Plumb (pictured below) both performed with the Prep Signing Choir in 2010. They have since entertained audiences for the past 13 years. “I remember as a little kid I was very keen for the opportunity to perform in front of my family,” George said. “Over my 13 years of performing at the Festival I’ve been involved in a range of amazing performances, some of my favourites being Flintstones with Small Jazz Ensemble and Zootopia in the Year 4 – 6 Signing Choir. “Small jazz ensemble has always been a group filled with great levels of excitement, especially when the other band members perform some incredible solos, and signing choir was always a blast with Mr Robertson always striving to teach us a lot. “I have always enjoyed performing in the Festival, having the opportunity I have to perform in front of a large crowd and the enjoyment I experience from putting a smile on people’s faces.” Millicent has particularly enjoyed performing when they combine different groups. “At this year’s Festival, the strings joined Small Jazz to perform Smooth Operator and the choir to perform Lullaby of Broadway. It is great that everyone can get together and put together a big performance like that,’’ Millicent said.
Entertainers take centre stage
ALUMNI NEWS
Past students remain connected to the School, whether that is remembering their valued contribution, providing opportunities to grow in their chosen profession, or reuniting old school friends and meeting other past students from another era.
Remembering Robert South
The Rockhampton Grammar School lost a long-time supporter of the School when Robert South passed away on 10 June, 2022. Robert South was a past student of the School (1947 – 1948), a past parent at RGS (his son Michael was School Captain in 1975) and was a longserving RGS Board of Trustees member from 1971 – 1993). Robert was also a leader in the Central Queensland legal community. Robert South: 29 June 1933 – 10 June 2022
Past students return to school
RGS 2021 graduates Kourtney Draper, Lily Cottam, Roni Peff and Peyton Cordell caught up with RGS Primary PE teacher, and RGS past student, Victoria McInnerney (nee Watson, RGS 1998) at RGS during Term 2. Kourtney, Lily, Roni and Peyton are all studying Education at CQUniversity and were testing their PE teaching skills working with RGS Year 1 PE classes.
Past Student News
The School is hosting an RGS All Years Reunion on 24 September. The day starts with a School Tour followed by drinks, nibbles and entertainment at the RGS Rowing Club. A great opportunity for school friends to reunite. Email paststudents@rgs.qld.edu. au for more information. The RGS Past Student Association’s AGM was held on 15 June. Elected committee members were: President – Thomas Birkbeck (2009); Vice-President – Robert South Jnr (2009); Secretary – Annie Belonogoff (2009); Treasurer – Nick Johnson (2015); Committee Members – Adrien Lang (1993), Mark Birkbeck (1982) and Rachel Trump (1995).
JCU Virtual Open Day
