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David Armstrong (2016-18) has joined the Newcastle Knights NRL club this season. His contract followed a standout 2021 season in the Toowoomba Rugby League, where he scored 38 tries for the season, including a hat-trick in the grand final.

Sam Thorne (2009-13) won the Australian weightlifting championships (102 kgs division) in November 2021 and is in line for selection in the Australian weightlifting team. Cooper Bridgeman (2017-20) and Tane Pardoe (2018-20) were both selected for the Australian Wallabies U20 squad in February. Seven TGS rugby coaches attended a Youth Rugby Coaches Forum in Brisbane in January. They viewed a Reds Academy training session as part of the program and watched Tane and Cooper in action.

Hamish Stewart (2004-15), Harry Hoopert (2013-15) and Matt Faessler (2015-16) all lined up for the Reds, with Ruan Smith (200607) named in the Waratahs. Former TGS 1st XV Coach, Jason Gilmore, is also the Assistant Coach (Defence) at the Waratahs.

Sachin Joshi (2007-15) started his intern year at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after graduating as one of James Cook University’s new crop of doctors last year. Dr Joshi was the 2021 president of the JCU Medical Students’ Association.

Stuart St Vincent Welch (1995-99)

has had an exciting few years in his role as a sound engineer with New York – based company Barking Owl. Stuart wrote the lyrics for the song “Tippy Toes”, which was featured in the 2020 Disney animation movie, “Sing 2”. More recently, he worked as the sound mixer alongside renowned American rapper, Dr Dre for the Pepsi advertisement that was aired during the 2022 Superbowl.

Ian Morris (1957-60) kindly donated a Bible dating back to 1843. Signatures on the inside cover of the bible indicate it originally belonged to Alfred George Stephens, who was the first student enrolled at TGS and later worked as an Australian writer and literary critic, notably for The Bulletin. Samuel George Stephens Sr. was instrumental in establishing Toowoomba Grammar School. He was also the founder of the Darling Downs Building Society (DDBS). Samuel George Stephens Jr. was also educated at TGS and joined the DDBS in 1909 as managing director and remained as such until his retirement in 1939. In 1940, Eric Charles Beresford Morris, Ian’s father, was appointed as an accountant at the DDBS and later became manager and ultimately managing director. Ian assumes that

when, in the 1950s, the DDBS moved from their original Neil Street premises to Margaret Street, the Bible came into the possession of his father. After the death of his father, Ian found the Bible amongst his possessions. It was not until sometime later that Ian discovered the signatures and realised the significance of the Bible to TGS.

Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh had a special surprise when he attended TGS On Tour at St. George. He stayed at Riverland Motor Inn, which is coincidentally owned by Keith Bauer (1962-66). Mr Bauer proudly showed off his TGS blazer and shared some great stories with the Headmaster.

After ten years working in accounting and finance, with the last seven in senior relationship management roles with a leading agribusiness lender, Luke Radford (2003-12) has decided to join his business partner, Adam Keen, to start Homestead Agribusiness. With a combined 25 years of experience, Homestead Agribusiness will specialise in debt advisory, milestone management and advice, business consultancy and advocacy.

Robotics technician and operator for AGERRIS, Andrew Whiteside (200711), has helped design a robot called the Digital Farmhand that can detect weeds growing amongst crops, which is expected to be a game changer, particularly for organic farming.

Former TGS Headmaster Peter Hauser (2003-2020) was named a Fellow of the University of Southern Queensland in October 2021. It’s a rare honour awarded to those who have provided distinguished service to the community for the university.

Toowoomba-based business Mort & Co was named 2021 Regional Exporter of the Year at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards in Brisbane. Charlie Mort (1979-83) is the executive chairman of Mort & Co, which manages Australia’s largest feedlot, capable of turning off over 200,000 cattle per year, and currently exports to 26 countries.

Tyler Wise (2018-20) is a step closer to his dream of playing European football. Wise signed a deal with the Holzwickeder SC U19 team in January 2022. The club plays in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state.

Longreach grazier James Walker (1993-98) was named runner-up for the 2021 Bob Hawke Landcare Award.

Lachlan Stuart (2004-08) married musician Amy Sheppard at Airlie Beach in October last year. Michael Valdal (2003-08) and Lachlan Hogan (2003-08) were groomsmen. The singer for Sheppard wrote a song for her groom.

Will Brown (2011-15) had his first lead drive at the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar event in October 2021. The Erebus Motorsport Holden driver claimed provisional pole with the fastest qualifying time. However, mechanical failure saw the team finish 20th. Brown had three podium finishes and celebrated his maiden victory in race 27, finishing the 2021 season in 8th place overall.

Luke Westaway (1994-98) has won an Auctions Plus Agency Award for having the highest individual throughput for cattle assessment. The business he is a partner of, Stockplace Marketing, was also recognised for having the highest throughput for cattle nationally, selling 700,000 beasts in 2021. Hamish Williams (2013-17) has been mixing with some big name Hollywood stars. Hamish worked as a Digital Imaging Technician assistant on the Chris Hemsworth film “Spiderhead”, which was filmed on the Gold Coast from November 2020-21 and is due to be released in June. Hamish has also been assisting Clancy Sinnamon (2009-13) with Clancy’s Outback Film Club initiative, taking ‘film school’ to rural and remote students.

Fraser Hess (2002-06) was appointed the new commercial manager for the Western Clydesdales in January. He will be responsible for securing the financial support that the Clydesdales need to return to the Queensland Rugby League. Fraser played a role in the Brisbane Bullets return to the National Basketball League.

Cattle producers Emma and Joel Muirhead (1993-94) were selected as the recipients of the 2022 Lachlan Hughes Foundation Scholarship in January. They will be provided with funding and training in a broad range of regenerative agriculture techniques and practices.

Associate Professor Troy Jensen (1994-98) was named an AustralianAmerican Fulbright Scholar in March and will head to the United States for four months in 2023 to investigate new technologies in sugarcane production.

The Toowoomba Valleys Roosters Rugby League club has renamed its grounds as the John McDonald Sports Complex, paying tribute to living legend John McDonald (195861), who is regarded as one of the greatest rugby league players of all time. John was offered a contract to play with Manly in 1969. Valleys were paid a transfer fee of $14,000. The Toowoomba Rugby League took a share, and Valleys’ Pillar Street grounds were purchased for $9,000. It’s now valued at almost $8 million, and the club is forever grateful to John for that investment opportunity.

Agribusiness lawyer Trent Thorne (1985-89) has been named as one of three new directors for Beef Australia as they prepare for Beef 2024.