The Grammarian Edition 27 (2023)

The GRAMMARIAN MAGAZINE OF TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL | VOLUME 27, 2023

Dr Jamie Fellows (1989), guest speaker at the 2023 Cum Laude Awards L-R: 2023 School Leaders, Nils Cumming (Vice Captain), Freya Boggild (Captain), Brian Gali (Captain), Philippa Dowling (Vice Captain)

PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME

As I write this from my office in the newly restored School House, I am reminded of the generations of students who have lived and learned within these walls, and how each has played a part in the story of this great old School. As we celebrate our 135th anniversary in 2023, it has been especially pleasing to see the development of our Past Grammarians Association and the increased engagement of our alumni in the life of the School.

2023 has been another notable year, especially as we have reopened the iconic School House, which now resumes its place as the heart of the North Ward campus. Following many years of meticulous renovation, we now marvel at the beautiful restoration work and begin to share stories and tales of events that took place over the decades of the life of this building.

This year we have had the pleasure of welcoming several Past Grammarians who have called in to say hello and have a look around their old school. The sheer delight they show when walking through School House proves how important this iconic building is, not only to our past story, but also to our future, in keeping our heritage alive.

Many stories of former eras have been beautifully captured in a collection of essays by the late William (Bill) Muller, which has been edited and published by the Past Grammarians Association this year. This publication was produced to mark our 135th anniversary year and is now available for purchase.

This book represents a wonderful trip down memory lane and captures the stories of our fascinating history through the decades – our establishment, the war years, and the development of the campus through to more contemporary times. It is well worth the read, and the Past Grammarians Association hopes to produce a series of similar publications.

As is customary, this year we again welcomed a distinguished Past Grammarian as guest speaker at our Cum Laude Awards ceremonies. Dr Jamie Fellows (1989) kindly gave of his time to attend both our Junior/Middle School and Senior School Cum Laude Awards ceremonies where he spoke of his time at the School (as a boarder), and of his academic career path, starting with a Bachelor of Arts, Masters in Japanese, Bachelor

of Laws with Honours, Grad Dip Legal Practice, PHD, and currently a Masters in Studies in Ethics. His speech about his career path was prefaced by the point that it was his experience at TGS that ignited in him a passion for learning. No matter how much has changed in our world, and indeed in our immediate society, it is reassuring to see how our core purpose of delivering a broad, liberal education and inspiring a great love of learning shapes individuals such as Jamie who are making significant contributions to our world.

Education should empower students to fulfil their potential and to have the capacity as well as the inclination to make a difference to their own lives and that of others. To enable this to occur, students need a supportive and nurturing environment in which to learn, grow and develop.

They need to be able to enjoy their childhood, to be happy, to be themselves, to grow together, and to understand and care for one another. It is therefore vital that teachers, students and parents work in partnership to establish an environment in which these characteristics are nurtured: a climate of trust in which each student develops a sound moral, ethical and educational base for adulthood.

A school community must empower their students with a love of learning and a healthy spirit of enquiry, by which they will learn the skills to not only access knowledge, but also to apply it in an increasingly globalised and complex world.

I see this very clearly in action within our School, now, as it has always been.

In this 135th anniversary of our School, I would like to also reflect on our community engagement. Since before its establishment in 1888, this School has been about community.

Indeed, it was a group of local business people who lobbied and raised the one thousand pounds required by the state government to build the school on the North Ward site.

This year our Past Grammarians Association hosted a reunion event in Brisbane in May, as well as the major annual reunion at the School in August. The Brisbane event was very well attended, and we plan to host this on an annual basis, on the last Saturday evening in May, and encourage our SE Queensland-based alumni to help us spread the word.

Our Strategic Intent 2021-2024 captures this sentiment perfectly:

On Founders’ Day this year (Sunday, 16 April), to honour our 135th anniversary, our School Captains, Brian Gali and Freya Boggild, planted the first tree in what will become an avenue of trees inside the historic War Memorial gates on Paxton Street. By the School’s 150th year, the avenue will be fully formed with 15 trees, each featuring a plaque to mark the year of planting.

Ours is a story of endurance, resilience and community.

Ours is a story of determination and endeavour.

Ours is a story of hope, compassion and contribution.

Ours is a story of an enduring commitment to a Grammar education.

Today, our community engagement remains strong and spread across six key stakeholder groups – students, parents, boarding, staff, alumni and the wider community. We work extensively across each of these areas and engage with a lengthy list of organisations in delivering purposeful educational outcomes for our students and in contributing to our wider communities.

Our community service program is an area of which I am particularly proud. Service is one of the hallmarks of a Grammar education, and we believe it is vital that our young people learn to adopt a service-mindset. This achieves two things – firstly, the development of a worldview wider than their own; and secondly, the development of personal wellbeing. Our students are introduced to community service in the Junior School and opportunities for service engagement increase as they progress through secondary.

A wonderful and fitting example of our service program is the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp. In September 2023, we hosted our sixth Sony Camp for children with special needs.

This event has become extremely popular with our Year 11s who train throughout the year to be companions to a group of children who stay in our boarding house for the three-day, two-night program. Our Year 11 students are responsible for their campers for the duration of the event, in what is often a challenging and confronting, but ultimately, rewarding experience. So popular has this service opportunity become, that in the past few years, our Year 12s have returned to take part in Sony Camp as mentors to the Year 11s. This is an exceptional, life-giving service opportunity and, in some instances, has been life-changing for those involved.

The development of our Past Grammarians Association and the important engagement work that takes place in this area is vital to the future of this School. With the re-opening of School House, the development of the TGS Museum and the reinvigoration of the Past Grammarians Association, there are many opportunities for our Past Grammarians to engage with our School community. Whether it be simply dropping by to visit, getting involved in the Past Grammarian’s Association events and reunions, or supporting projects within the School, the invitation is warmly extended.

2023 School Captains, Brian Gali and Freya Boggild plant the first tree in the 'Avenue of Trees' to mark the School's 135th anniversary.

For 135 years Townsville Grammar School has been proudly serving the communities of north and north-west Queensland, providing an exceptional education and boarding program. We continue to remember our founders and acknowledge their vision and commitment to establishing this great school, of which we are the current custodians - remaining faithful to Bonus Intra Melior Exi Enter Good, Exit Better.

TIMOTHY KELLY PRINCIPAL

Principal, Timothy Kelly, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Carl Valentine, and Deputy Chair, Bev Price

NEW CHAIR - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Townsville Grammar School’s Board of Trustees has appointed a new Chair, Mr Carl Valentine, who takes on the role from Judge Stuart Durward AM KC GAICD, who has held the position for 25 years, having been a Trustee for 27 years. Mrs Bev Price, a third generation Past Grammarian, has been appointed as Deputy Chair.

Mr Valentine, who was appointed to the Board in 2021, is the Managing Partner of PVW Partners, with more than 25 years’ experience in taxation, accounting, business advisory matters and business strategy.

Mr Valentine reflected, “It is humbling to have taken on the role of Chair of an organisation that has an incredible 135year history and immense amount to offer the families and community of regional Queensland. I am excited to be applying my experience and expertise to this incredible school that my children attend, and to be part of building the future of North Queensland’s very own Grammar School, one of only eight Grammar Schools in Queensland.

“Our School is governed by a fully volunteer Board of Trustees, with each member of the Board having a strong connection to the School and community, and who each bring unique skills and experiences. Our Board supports a wonderful leadership team, teaching staff and support staff, all of whom are focused on our students entering good and exiting better, as per the motto, Bonus Intra Melior Exi.” Principal of Townsville Grammar School, Mr Timothy Kelly, said the School community has been delighted to welcome Mr Valentine in this capacity as Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Mrs Bev Price as Deputy Chair, who is a third generation Past Grammarian, past TGS parent and has served on the Board since 2021.

Retiring Chair of the Board of Trustees, Judge Stuart Durward AM KC GAICD and his wife, Noela.

“Mr Valentine’s appointment is a significant event in our School’s story,” said Mr Kelly. “It is fitting that we have also just re-opened the historic School House, the original building on the North Ward heritage site, built in 1888. Judge Durward was instrumental in this redevelopment project, and it is wonderful to see it come to fruition as he ends his tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

“Our School community remains indebted to Judge Durward for his incredible service spanning more than 25 years, governing the School through times of change and challenge.

“We have warmly welcomed Mr Valentine and Mrs Price in their appointed roles as Chair and Deputy Chair, and very much look forward to the next chapter of the story of this great School under their governance,” said Mr Kelly.

Members of the Past Grammarians Association at the North Ward Campus Open Day, 2023

PAST GRAMMARIANS ASSOCIATION

2023 has seen our Past Grammarians Association go from strength to strength as we continue to work toward the engagement of the Past Grammarians community, in this, our School's 135th anniversary.

This year we hosted several Past Grammarians events, including the highly successful Brisbane Catch-Up on Saturday, 27 May, attended by Past Grammarians from 1953-2022.

We also hosted the first in what we hope will be a series of Business Breakfasts in the newly restored School House. We welcomed the CEO of the North Queensland Cowboys, Mr Jeff Reibel, as our guest speaker. Jeff spoke beautifully about the correlation between Townsville Grammar School’s motto, Bonus Intra Melior Exi – Enter Good, Exit Better – and the mission of the North Queensland Cowboys and their Cowboys House program.

Our 2023 Reunion was another wonderful occasion where we welcomed Past Grammarians from across the decades, this year with a special focus on the gradating classes of years ending in 3.

We have a spread of photos included in this publication from this event.

The Past Grammarians Association committee supported several of the School’s events in 2023, including the North Ward Campus Open Day, the ANZAC service, Rugby@Home day as part of the Reunion weekend, and they will again attend the Year 12 Graduation ceremony and present the senior cohort with a Past Grammarians pin and other memorabilia, in the spirit of welcoming them as the newest group of Past Grammarians.

This year the Association welcomed two new members to the committee, Karl Geiger (2015) and Gemma Vollmerhause (2017), and they are thanked for their energy and contribution.

This year there are two main projects - the publication of a book of essays by William (Bill) Muller, and funding toward the development of the TGS Museum in the newly restored School House, both fitting tributes to our 135th anniversary.

Past Grammarians Business Breakfast in School House, May 2023

All Past Grammarians are invited to be involved in the Association, either by joining the committee, helping with events, engaging with social media channels, or providing contacts and suggestions for development. The Association is working towards growing in both scope and engagement and we hope you can help us in achieving this goal.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us via email if you would like to find out more about what we do as an Association and how you can become involved.

Our email address is: pastgrammariansassoc@tgs.qld.edu.au Our Past Grammarians Association committee meets regularly on the first Wednesday evening of each month during term time. A list of dates of our meetings is available online at www.tgs.qld.edu.au/pastgrammarians.

JOHN SHORT PRESIDENT - PAST GRAMMARIANS ASSOCIATION

REUNION 2023

Our 2023 Past Grammarians Reunion took place on Saturday, 12 August, this year with a special focus on the graduating years ending in 3. We welcomed Past Grammarians from 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, and the '70s and '60s. Save the date for the 2024 Reunion Saturday, 10 August - see the back page of this publication for details. Visit our Facebook group for more photos from the Reunion.

- BRISBANE SATURDAY 25 MAY 2024

BRISBANE CATCH-UP

We welcomed Past Grammarians from 1953-2022 to our Brisbane Catch-Up, held on Saturday, 27 May 2023. We plan to host this event on the same weekend in May each year, and in 2024, it will be held on Saturday, 25 May. Invitations will be available in early 2024 via the Past Grammarians Facebook group, the website (www.tgs.qld.edu.au/pastgrammarians), and email, providing we have your email address. Please email marketing@tgs.qld.edu.au to provide us with your contact details or to ensure we have up-to-date information.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP PAST GRAMMARIANS ASSOCIATION

OUR PLACE, OUR PEOPLE, OUR STORIES - BILL'S BOOK

At this year's Past Grammarians’ Reunion we presented an Honorary Life Membership to BC (Brian) Christensen who was a teacher at TGS from 1973-2007 and has remained enthusiastically engaged with the School and the Past Grammarians Association. The criteria for this honour, as is listed in the Past Grammarians Association Constitution, states:

The Past Grammarians Association has published a collection of essays written by the late William (Bill) Muller, and edited by our Archivist, Chris Wilson. 'Our Place, Our People, Our Stories - A Collection of Essays' is a wonderful trip down memory lane, as the writer shares reflections, stories and historical accounts of the School. The Past Grammarians Association hopes to produce a series of publications over time.

"To be considered for Honorary Life Membership, a nominee should have provided a significant service to the School as a member of the Board, teacher, administrator, coach, staff member, volunteer, or in other ways, such that they are considered to have made a significant contribution the School or the Association”.

BC joins the late Bill Muller and Judge Stuart Durward who were the inaugural recipients of this award in 2022.

BC (Brian) Christensen was awarded an Honorary Life Membership to the Past Grammarians Association

'Our Places, Our People, Our Stories,' was launched at the 2023 Reunion on Saturday, 12 August, by Bill's son, Liam Muller(1993).

HOW TO ORDER:

Copies are available for purchase ($30+ postage) via www.tgs.qld.edu.au/pastgrammarians

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The School has a new archive centre where our Archivist, Chris Wilson, has the mammoth task of sorting through hundreds of boxes of memorabilia as we prepare for the establishment of the TGS Museum. We will gratefully accept donations of items of TGS memorabilia and will duly acknowledge all donors.

FROM OUR ARCHIVIST

Townsville Grammar School has a rich and deep history. A history that is far richer and deeper than bricks and mortar, a tapestry of people and their stories.

The late Bill Muller, a passionate historian, began the task of categorising and organising the School archives. He also wrote a huge number of essays on aspects of the School's history.

The first tranche of these essays have been compiled, edited and published by the Past Grammarians Association under the title of ‘Our Place, Our People, Our Stories’.

A dedicated space in the restored School House, in and adjacent to the Hartley Room, has been allocated for the development of a Museum to celebrate our history.

Whilst the School holds a fairly comprehensive collection of historical photographs and images, we have unfortunately lost many irreplaceable artifacts over the years due to natural disasters and other events.

If any of our Past Grammarians or their children have and are willing to donate or loan the School photographs, images or artifacts we would gratefully accept them and acknowledge the donors.

They will, I am sure, greatly enhance the history of ‘Our Place, Our People and Our Stories’.

CHRIS WILSON ARCHIVIST

SYDNEY DUNFORD 1966

A very big thank you to Past Grammarian, Sydney Dunford, who donated his 1st XIII jersey from 1966, and the painting (featured at the top of this page) to the School. The painting was created by his arts teacher, at his request, upon leaving the School in 1966.

TGS MUSEUM

The Past Grammarians Association is supporting the development of the TGS Museum, located on the top floor of the newly restored School House.

The top floor of School House also features a function room and kitchen, which is available for both school and wider community events. The Past Grammarians Association hosted the first event in this space with the inaugural Past Grammarians Business Breakfast in May 2023.

The upstairs room, the Hartley Room (named after Past Grammarian, Effie Hartley 1905), features two display cases designed to showcase significant memorabilia.

One display case currently features Commonwealth Games and Australian Swimming Championship medals of Pamela Sergeant (1969), along with some incredible memorabilia of this time (see top photo adjacent).

The other display case is dedicated to the six Past Grammarians who lost their lives in Gallipoli. (see bottom photo adjacent). It also features a WWI rifle which belonged to George Foot, one of four Foot brothers who served. Descendants of the Foot family donated the rifle to the School in 2021. These two display cases have been thoughtfully designed and curated by Archivist, Chris Wilson.

Past Grammarians are always welcome to visit the North Ward Campus, especially to see School House and the development of the Museum. The School is gratefully accepting donations towards the ongoing development of the Museum.

WELCOME TO SCHOOL HOUSE

The newly restored School House is now a mixed-use space, with a boardroom, meeting space, function room and the TGS Museum. The following photos showcase the beautiful restoration of this iconic building. Past Grammarians are always welcome to call in and have a look around the building and the campus.

DOWNSTAIRS LEVEL: Foyer - featuring a didgeridoo, crafted by TGS students and visiting students from Doomadgee State School (2022). The timbers used were sourced from Lawn Hill Station, a part of Waanyi land, and Gangalidda land, around Hells Gate.

Principal's Office Durward Boardroom - named in honour of Judge Stuart Durward AM KC LLB GAICD, Chairman of the TGS Board of Trustees (1997-2022) Roberts Room - Named in honour of Past Grammarian, Gladys Roberts (1905)

“Just imagine if you could put your hand on one of the walls somewhere and have the building tell you about its life since 1888 – and know you were part of the story.”

JACK CALLCOTT – FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE PAST GRAMMARIANS ASSOCIATION

UPSTAIRS LEVEL: Hartley Room - Named in honour of Past Grammarian, Effie Hartley, the first female Dux and Prefect (1905) TGS Museum - currently under development

CLASS OF 2022

ACADEMIC PATHWAYS

We celebrated the academic achievements of our Class of 2022 at our annual Scholars Assembly on Monday, 6 February 2023, welcoming back 41 of our students and their family and friends, and announcing our 2022 Academic Awards.*

Congratulations

Dux: Nandan Kumar Proxime Accessit: Lily Roehr

Here is a snapshot of the academic pathways of our ATAR/IB students, based on information available in February 2023.

QTAC University offers (Qld): 97% students TAC University offers (Qld and Interstate): 233 offers International University offers (UK and USA): 5 offers QTAC offers by study area (Qld):

Director of Curriculum, Dr Carolyn Moores, said this is her favourite assembly of the year.

“This is our chance to celebrate the hard work and diligence of our students and to wish them well as they embark on their various pathways. It is always evident that working hard and striving for personal best equates to choice when it comes to all post-school options. It is fantastic to see students embarking on a wide range of tertiary courses covering all study areas, indicating that the broad, liberal education provided at TGS prepares our students for increasingly diverse careers paths.

"It was fantastic to see and talk to so many students and their parents who expressed their genuine appreciation of their time at TGS. Regardless of their score or the offer, their gratitude for their teachers and the school is just wonderful."

Health 32 – with 17 offered Medicine at JCU Society & Culture 20 Sciences 14 Engineering 11 Education 5 Law & Creative Arts 5 Architecture & Building 5 Management & Commerce 5 Information Technology 3 Music 2 Agriculture, Environmental 1

Congratulations to our Class of 2022 ATAR & IB OUTCOMES 99.40

95+

90+

87.60

35

TOP ATAR

27.8% OF STUDENTS ATAR & IB EQUIVALENT

42.6% OF STUDENTS ATAR & IB EQUIVALENT

MEDIAN ATAR

MEDIAN IB SCORE

Principal, Timothy Kelly with the Dux and Proxime Accessit recipients of Years 7-11 All Dux and Proxime Accessit recipients from Years 6-12 are listed below

ACADEMIC AWARDS PRESENTED TO YEARS 6-11 AT SPEECH DAY, 2022 YEAR 12 (Presented in February 2023) Nandan Kumar Mary Foley-Elliott Memorial Prize for Dux of the School Lily Roehr Laurence Edward Wilkins Prize for Proxime Accessit

YEAR 8 Luke Broadfoot Past Grammarians’ Association Prize for Dux Sophie Andrews Parents & Friends Association Prize for Proxime Accessit

YEAR 11 Freya Boggild T.A. Gulliver Memorial Prize for Dux Phillipa Dowling C.H. Hodges Memorial Prize for Proxime Accessit

YEAR 7 Annabelle Brown Past Grammarians’ Association Prize for Dux Poppy Morris Ladies Auxiliary Association Prize for Proxime Accessit

YEAR 10 Naomi Kutash Charlotte To

YEAR 6 Shaarika Senthil Ladies Auxiliary Association Prize for Dux Suravi Pandey Parents & Friends Association Prize for Proxime Accessit

P.F. Rowland Memorial Prize for Dux Professor Ian Yang Prize for Proxime Accessit

YEAR 9 Sophia (Winnie) P.F. Rowland Memorial Prize for Dux Shaw Gemma Morris Yang Family Prize for Proxime Accessit

ALAN D MORWOOD AWARDS - PRESENTED AT CUM LAUDE AWARDS 2023 The Alan D Morwood Academic Awards are presented to Year 12 students who have achieved a Cum Laude Award in each of their six years at Townsville Grammar School (Years 7-12).

Congratulations to our 2023 Alan D Morwood Academic Academic award recipients: *Denotes those who have received a Maxima Cum Laude consecutively from Years 7-12

2023 Alan D Morwood Award recipients

Freya Boggild* Sienna Caniato* Nils Cumming Phillipa Dowling* Saachi Hira* Srhea Joshi

Tara Kelly Alexander Lane Harper Muller David Nugent Arjun Prakash Thomas Rimmer

Aimee Segal Alex Tao Shreya Urkude Ella Wachenfeld Maher Zulfiquer

69th annual McKimmin Mile

SCHOOL TRADITIONS IN HONOUR OF PAST GRAMMARIANS 69TH ANNUAL MCKIMMIN MILE

2023 saw the 69th running of the annual McKimmon Mile, an event that has been held since 1954, in memory of Past Grammarian, Alan McKimmin who died in 1945, aged 17.

TWEDDELL LEADERSHIP DINNER

The McKimmin Mile was initiated by Headmaster, Maurie Blank, to commemorate the memory of Alan, who was the seventh member of the family enrolled at Townsville Grammar School - the first McKimmin was enrolled in 1902. Today the race is no longer an actual mile, but the spirit of the event lives on in the life of the School. Congratulations to our 2023 McKimmin Mile winners: Middle School: Girls – Majella Jerome Boys – Ethan Kwa

Senior School: Girls – Erica Round Boys – Angus Richardson

COLIN BINGHAM MEDALLISTS

The Junior School Writing Competition has been taking place since 2010 for students from Year 3 to Year 6. The winning writers are awarded the Colin Bingham Medal, presented at the annual Writing Competition Assembly. The Medal is named in honour of Past Grammarian, Colin Bingham, 2023 Medalists join the Colin Bingham Medalists Honour Roll.

Year 3 Driti Myla and Yardenn Keret Year 4 Kate John and Tien Yew Chan Year 5 Alexandra Reddie and Zach Langtree Year 6 Tien Ern Chan and Yannai Keret

JILLIAN'S DAY

The inaugural Tweddell Leadership Dinner took place in 2021 as an opportunity for Townsville’s Year 6 and Year 12 students to come together, share experiences, and learn about leadership as a community of young leaders.

The dinner is named in honour of Mr Bill Tweddell, Past Grammarian (1967), recently retired Chancellor of James Cook University and recognised as one of JCU’s outstanding alumni. Mr Tweddell was the guest speaker at the inaugural Tweddell Leadership Dinner and has attended the event as a special guest each year since. In 2023 we welcomed Past Grammarian, Mrs Sally McCutcheon (1997) who spoke about the less obvious signs of leadership - the quiet acts of service that exemplify leadership in action. Sally McCutcheon and Bill Tweddell are pictured above.

There are other occasions during the year when our School community engages in activities in honour of Past Grammarians, including Jillian's Day where students across the three campuses have a free dress 'sun safe' day, in honour of Jillian Hardy who died of melanoma in 1998, with funds raised donated to the Queensland Cancer Council.

LEST WE FORGET ANZAC SERVICE

GARDEN OF HONOUR

Thank you to special guest, Aircraftman Brodie De Giovanni, No 383 Squadron RAAF, and to our visiting dignitaries and invited guests, flag bearers, Cadets, performers, staff and students who gathered for this occasion where we remembered those who serve, and who have served, in particular the 60 Past Grammarians who lost their lives in service in WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War.

The garden is located next to the newly renovated School House, in the historic Quad where ANZAC services have been held for many decades.

Our School community again gathered in the Quad for our 2023 ANZAC service, in front of the historic School House, where such ceremonies have been held throughout the School's 135-year history.

Ahead of this year's School ANZAC service at the North Ward Campus, our Principal, Mr Tim Kelly and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mr Carl Valentine, joined our Defence School Mentor, Mary Gunn and students to plant rosemary in a special garden in honour of our defence community and Past Grammarians who served.

Our boarding community of 2023 on the stairs of the newly restored School House

BOARDING

FAREWELL TO OUR DIRECTOR OF BOARDING We farewelled Jaye Beutel at the end of Term 2, sincerely thanking him for his four and a half years of service to TGS as Director of Boarding. Jaye has been instrumental in developing our boarding program and he will be missed by our boarding and wider school community. We presented Jaye with a framed boarder shirt and photos of each of his boarding cohorts.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

We welcomed Dan Fox at the beginning of Term 3 as the new Director of Boarding. Dan and his family moved to TGS from the Gold Coast where he was at The Southport School. Dan has worked in many schools in South East Queensland in a range of boarding contexts and is looking forward to fully engaging in the life of our School.

BISCUITS FOR GULF FAMILIES

JOSEPH ACTON PERPETUAL SHIELD

This is the twelfth year that TGS has proudly sponsored the Joseph Acton Perpetual Shield for the Julia Creek Campdraft, Junior Camp Draft Champion. Joseph Acton was the third of the Acton boys to board at Townsville Grammar, following in the footsteps of his brothers Robert and Phillip. The boys hailed from Millungurra Station, in the Julia Creek District. Joe graduated in 2006, remaining in Townsville to complete his trade. During his time at school, and after school, Joe forged deep and meaningful relationships with his boarder mates and was a stalwart of the North Ward Old Boys Rugby Union Club. Joe was tragically killed in an accident in 2011.

2023 Club Sport Captains L-R Club Rowing Captain, Astin McClelland Club Rugby Captain, Justin Crane Club Netball Captain, Sasha-May Flegler

2023 Junior School Sports Tour to the Gold Coast

SPORT

CLUB SPORT

Our tourists travelled to the Gold Coast again this year for the 2023 Junior School Sports Tour, playing netball in the Gretel Tippett Trophy and rugby in the KNK Cup against Emmanuel College and All Saints College (pictured below).

NETBALL TOUR - CANBERRA

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS TOUR

AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES

Sasha-May Flegler - Australian Netball team, Commonwealth Youth Games - Trinidad Tobago - Gold medallist Julia Fulton - Australian School Girls Nationals, Softball Alexandra Holt - World Aquathon Championships - Spain Angus Richardson - National Track & Field Titles Jessica Carrington, Dakota Baxter, Ava Arnabaldi, Maria Gundorova and Caden White - Australian Swimming Age Championships

Club Sport continues in 2023, with TGS having four teams in Rugby, Netball, Rowing and Touch. Three Rugby@Home games were scheduled at the North Ward Campus this year, with the final on the weekend of the TGS Reunion.

Our Netball Tour to Canberra was a great experience, with our team competing against Radford College and Daramalan College in Canberra, as well as taking in some of the sights of our Capital.

U10s CURTAIN-RAISER QLD REDS

Our U10s had a fantastic opportunity to play in the curtain-raiser against North Ward at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the Qld Reds v Wellington Hurricanes game. A wonderful game played in great spirit - an experience they will always remember.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS FROM THE DIRECTOR

Putting together a production is an enormously challenging task, and one that I am honoured to have be given the chance to do this year. As someone who has always loved the theatre – having worked on over 20 shows both onstage and behind the scenes, and an entire bookshelf dedicated to the theatrical programs that I have collected over the years – I could not wait to sink my teeth (pun intended) into this delightfully dark musical and to share my love of the theatre with the 110 eager students who comprise our talented cast and crew.

Musical theatre provides a unique way to express yourself, as well as the opportunity to make friends with people of all ages, and to create something incredibly fulfilling while appreciating the value of camaraderie, teamwork, practice and hard work. Musical Theatre is a place where extremes are the norm, be it tragedy or comedy, and it is the ultimate way to express emotions you wouldn’t normally speak aloud. It may sound cliché, but, when things are too difficult to say… sing! Watching students discover their voices and develop the skills to express what a scene demands is extremely gratifying.

As a teacher, it is a privilege working with young people, as they see the world in a way in which grown-ups can’t. They provide new life, endless enthusiasm and have helped me stay up to date with the latest TikTok trends. For this, I am eternally grateful.

I’d also like to thank my support team for always encouraging my ideas, bringing me lots of coffee and pushing me forward when I needed a boost. You are the reason I have made it this far.

Every person in a musical, both onstage and backstage, has a vital role to play and we all grow, staff and students alike, from working towards a larger goal. What makes theatre so incredibly special is that it simply cannot be created in isolation. Art brings people together.

SARAH BINDER | DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS (PAST GRAMMARIAN 2012)

"ALL BECAUSE OF THAT STRANGE LITTLE PLANT OVER THERE!"

"don't feed the plants!"

Past Grammarian staff of Townsville Grammar School

PAST GRAMMARIAN NEWS TGS PAST GRAMMARIAN STAFF 2023

It is wonderful to have so many Past Grammarians on staff across our three campuses, pictured above:

FRONT ROW L-R: Sasha Lea-Rowell (2021), Sarah Binder (2012) Carolyn Moores (1986), Rachel Harte (2005), Chloe Beauchamp (2011) BACK ROW L-R: Jake Vaiciulevicius (2011), Brendan Young (2001), Regan Leong (2012), Lauren Todd (2016), Roop Barring (2018) ABSENT: Mia Ohlin (2009), Kerrina Corrigan (1986), Karin Poole (1986), Susan Case (1990), Helen Garner (1989), Jenna Fielder (2004), Angela Woodward (2001), Caitlin Ainsworth (2021).

CLASS OF 2040

Past Grammarians, Mia Ohlin (2012) and Rachel Harte (2005) who are teachers at TGS, have recently welcomed their babies, along with teachers, Kelly McBean and Stephanie Devine. The Class of 2040 is taking shape!

EMERITUS PROFESSOR MAT DARVENIZA AO 1948

Principal Tim Kelly welcomed Past Grammarian boarder, Emeritus Professor Mat Darvenizi (1948) to the School in 2023.

A distinguished University of Queensland Electrical Engineering Professor, Emeritus Professor Darveniza is a graduate of the Universities of Queensland (BE 1953, DEng 1980), London (PhD 1959) and Chalmers University (Hon DSc Eng 1990).

Emeritus Professor Darveniza was appointed an Officer of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO citation – “for service to electrical engineering, particularly through research on lightning protection of electrical equipment and as Chairman of Standards Australia committee on lightning protection of structures and to professional education”).

In 2003, he received the Centenary Medal awarded by the Governor General in the category of the General List (citation –“for service to Australian society in electrical engineering and education”). In December 2004, the Queensland Government appointed him Director ENERGEX Board. In 2008, he was elected to the IEAust Qld Hall of Fame. (source: www.arresterworks.com)

Chelsea Smith (2021) commanding for the CDF Parade, March 2023

CHELSEA & AIMEE SMITH 2020-21

On Saturday, 25 March, the Australian Defence Force Academy held the 2023 Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Parade, celebrating the end of Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT).

Past Grammarian Officer Cadet Chelsea Smith (12/2020) joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2021 and was named Academy Cadet Captain (ACC) for 2023 at ADFA. As ACC, Officer Cadet Smith was the Parade Commander for the CDF Parade which also included her sister, and Past Grammarian, Officer Cadet Aimee Smith (12/2021) who celebrated the end of YOFT. Officer Cadet Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2022. (Pictured above)

CAITLIN AINSWORTH 2021

Past Grammarian, Caitlin Ainsworth (2021) has joined TGS this year as a Dance Instructor, whilst studying her Bachelor of Education. Caitlin has trained with the Townsville Academy of Performing Arts and recently travelled to London where she completed workshops at prestigious dance schools such as Pineapple Studios.

MYKENZIE MOLLER 2022 PATRICIA WELFORD (NEE CAREW-HOPKINS) 1973

Patricia attended TGS from Form 1-4, finishing in 1973 to move to Perth where she attended boarding school for the remainder of her schooling. Patricia called in to the North Ward campus hoping to find a way to reconnect with her school friends (who would have finished Form 6 in 1975). She enjoyed a tour of the school and shared stories about dances held in the top floor of the Maurie Blank Administration Building. Patricia remembers standing on the stairs with the other girls in her class, having the length of their skirts measured from the ground to ensure they were long enough!

Our wander around the campus brought back happy memories for Patricia, and she shared some wonderful insights into the way school was in 1973.

Past Grammarian boarder (2022) Mykenzie Moller has started a position with the Australian Boarding Schools Association as the Training & Communications Assistant and is studying a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) at Griffith University. Having grown up in the bush attending school of the air through Charters Towers, she is passionate about finding opportunities and support for boarding students. source: www.boarding.org.au

JENNIFER SLATER 1992

Squadron Leader Jennifer Slater (Lehmann) is an air traffic controller with the RAAF and is presently on deployment with the UN in South Sudan.

DARRIN WILSON 1980

Darrin Wilson called in to the North Ward Campus during a visit to Townsville for a tour around the school. Darrin boarded at TGS for his final years of school, 1979-1980. He is standing on the School House verandah where his bed was once located - no airconditioning back then!

KEITH MCLEAN 1956

We were delighted to welcome back Keith, who visited the North Ward Campus with his son, Geoff. Keith was born in Wau in PNG and boarded at TGS from Years 4-12 (1948-1956). On completion of Year 12 he relocated to Melbourne where he became a property valuer.

Keith and Geoff had a wonderful time exploring the campus and sharing stories.

Keith tells the story of how he and a group of mates (boarders) snuck out a few times at night, escaped through the creek and climbed Castle Hill. "It was great fun", he said, "unless you got caught!"

BILL TWEDDELL 1967

We congratulate Bill Tweddell (pictured left) on his retirement this year as Chancellor of James Cook University.

Mr Tweddell has been a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade. He was Australian Ambassador to the Philippines and Vietnam, Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau, High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and Deputy High Commissioner to India, with earlier postings to Greece and Bangladesh.

He was also Chief of Staff and Principal Adviser to the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer.

Past Grammarians at the Burdekin Growers Race Day

BURDEKIN GROWERS RACE DAY

TGS Principal, Tim Kelly and Past Grammarians Association President, John Short, caught up with some Past Grammarians at this year's Burdekin Growers Race Day, an event the School sponsors each year in support of our Burdekin-based boarding families (see above).

HARRIET DYER 2006

Congratulations to Harriet Dyer, winning a silver logie for Most Outstanding Actress at the 2023 Logie Awards.

GEMMA HEAFT 2009

Congratulations to Gemma Heaft, Community Manager of the Townsville Fire WNBL, who was award ‘Club Person of the Year’ at the 2023 Townsville Fire Awards.

The award represents the person within the organisation who exemplifies the club’s core values and culture, and who has gone over and above for the club.

JOHNTY O'BRIEN 2018

Congratulations to Past Grammarian and Head Boarder (2018), Johnty O’Brien, who was presented with the Young Citizen of the Year award at the Carpentaria Shire Australia Day Awards (pictured right).

VALE PAST GRAMMARIANS

ROWAN CARR 1967

Thank you to Robyn Murray, a friend in Rowan’s graduating class of 1967 (a class of just 31 students) for forwarding this information.

Rowan was a long-time former Qantas worker (in Townsville) before moving to the Sunshine Coast where he was an avid and popular mountain biker and surf lifesaver. Rowan died in a mountain bike crash while riding in Caloundra on 12 May. Rowan was a great athlete, winning the cross country at Grammar and has been remembered by fellow Grammarians as "such a lovely cheerful person".

DAVID CRADDOCK 1954

Dr David Craddock was the Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital from 1977 until his retirement in 2001.

He was awarded the Cunningham and Scartwarter Scholarships to attend Townsville Grammar School from where he matriculated in 1954 with five first class and three second class honours.

In 1960 he graduated from Medical School at the University of Queensland; while a student David completed his National Service.

Early medical training was at the Royal Brisbane and Brisbane Children's Hospitals. He then undertook further surgical training in the United Kingdom, obtaining Fellowships in the Edinburgh and London Colleges of Surgeons, both in 1966.

In 1966 he was appointed Senior Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, at that time one of the pre-eminent cardiothoracic surgical units in Britain. In 1968, after a tour of North American Cardiothoracic Centres of Excellence, he returned to Australia and was appointed as a consultant surgeon to the Royal Adelaide Hospital's Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit. In 1968 he obtained his Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.

He was elected to the State Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in the early 1980s and then was elected its Chairman and served in this role with distinction from 1986 to 1988. He was elected Chairman of the Royal Adelaide Hospital Staff Society for the years 1987-1989; he was an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 1978-1988, and served on the Board of the Cardiothoracic Society.

David was a Director of the Board of the National Heart Foundation from 1979 - 1993 and a member of the Professional Education Committee from 1981-1989. David was Patron of Heartbeat - a fund raising group which started in Whyalla in 1981 by an ex-patient.

Heartbeat has raised nearly one million dollars for equipment and care of cardiac patients in South Australia.

During his career, in spite of the incredibly large clinical load he took on, David Craddock also made contributions to the profession at large. His publications span his whole career.

Scan here to read more: source: www.drdavidrobertcraddock.com

PETER CARRINGTON

Ronald Peter Carrington was born in Hughenden on 27 April, 1959, the son of Ronald and Bessie Carrington. Narollah Station at Corfield was their home and both boys were home schooled there, as well as attending the local state school in Corfield. Peter then continued his education at Townsville Grammar School, before completing it at Toowoomba High, following the family’s relocation.

Scan here to read Peter’s story, Vale Peter Carrington, Rondel Droughtmasters, March 2023 edition.

"He was a true gentleman. A man who deliberately chose kindness where and when he could. He touched so many and the world is now infinitely poorer for his passing. He loved and was loved, and in the end that is all that matters." source: The Rondel Droughtmaster March 2023

VALE PAST GRAMMARIANS GEOFF NOTT 1961

An email received from Lloyd Honeycombe, 15/7/23 A student at TGS 1958 – 1961 Head Prefect 1961

Geoff came to the Grammar from Hermit Park School in 1958 and graduated, after four years, as a shining example of the Townsville Grammar School product of the early 1960s.

I am sure, if Maurie Blank, the Principal of the School in our time there, was asked to comment on Geoff he would have said: “Bonus Intra Melior Exi”– translated “Entered well and emerged better”.

As a Past Grammarian myself, this is high praise - Maurie was a very demanding Principal.

Geoff excelled in academia, many sports, athletics and chess and developed the sound basic leadership skills that he employed as a Project Manager of major projects in Australia and around the World.

Geoff’s sporting achievements are amazing - he represented the School in rugby as a ‘winger’, athletics as a ‘sprinter’, cricket as an ‘allrounder,’ and tennis as a ‘successful, hard and fast’ player. He always credited Maurie Blank with teaching him chess in which he competed successfully for the School.

We were both in the School Army Cadet Company.

In 1961, his leadership potential was recognised, by the Australian Army, when he was awarded the ‘Sam Brown Belt and Strap’.

Geoff and I had many differences and several similarities Our first two years at Grammar 1958-59 (sub-Junior and Junior) we were in different Classes. For our last two years 1960 and 1961 we were in the same class – Geoff excelled in all subjects – I only managed to attend and pass all.

On the sporting field – in any event - under 800 metres Geoff ‘left me in his dust’. In the long distance events, including the cross country, I managed to get ahead of him. Fortunately he did not swim – Richard Herald dominated the pool. Bat and ball sports – tennis and cricket – were dominated by Geoff, Rod Jalland and Richard Herald.

In 1962 Geoff attended James Cook University College – where he obtained a Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Queensland and as a mature aged student he completed a Masters in Business Administration at UQ. Through University of Sydney he obtained an Order of Merit in the Company Directors Graduate Diploma.

From 1990-1995 he was a Reader/Associate Professor in Project Management at the University of Queensland and developed core subjects for both the Postgraduate MBA and METM Masters Programs. He also lectured in similar specialties at Queensland University of Technology.

Geoff has managed and directed major projects for 46 years – for 22 of those years he was actively engaged with Rio Tinto.

For three years from 1989, as Director of Geoff Nott Associates, he was appointed Project Director by Queensland Electricity Commission for the then $100M Tully Millstream Project. Prior to this, he also worked on an extensive number of Projects such as Woodlawn Mines, Tarong Coal Stages 1 & 2 and NZAS and Boyne Island Projects.

In the years 1997–1999 he was Chief Consultant to Rio Tinto’s Project Management Unit to provide advice on their major International projects that had a capital value of US$5,000 million.

In 2007-08 Geoff advised and reviewed the US$ 2.5B Sohar Aluminium Project in Oman. Finally from 2010–2012 Geoff was retained by the Port Waratah Coal Services as Independent Chairman of Terminal 4 Board Sub-Committee liaising with large coal suppliers in the Hunter Valley in NSW. He then retired in late 2012.

Geoff retained his relationship with the School and his class mates after he left and made the effort to join reunions when possible. He and Pam travelled to Townsville in 2018 when 20 of our 1958 class and many of the partners gathered for three days to commemorate 60 years since we joined our Alma Mater. Tales were told – girls in our class blushed and wives of the boys in the class frowned. A great time was had by all.

Since 2018, as lifting of lockdowns permitted, Geoff and Pam travelled to meet with class mates from southern Queensland at Maleny on a number of occasions. At these gatherings, Geoff displayed the smiling, quiet, delightful manner that he developed so long ago and we are grateful for those few hours together.

Geoff passed away 25 November 2022 and is missed by us all Australia has lost a great Engineer/Project Manager.

By Lloyd Honeycombe

An email received from Rolando Taviani, 28/11/22 It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of one of our proud FUGS members, Geoff Nott. Geoff passed away on the Sunshine Coast on Friday, 25 November. Geoff played on the wing for the Uni Blues team from 1962-65 as well as playing Foley Shield Football for Whitsunday in 1966. He was a big bustling winger and was instrumental in finishing off many a back line move in those very successful years for Uni in the 1960s. Geoff also assisted Joe Baker with coaching duties in the early 1970s.

Geoff was one of the first FUGS to jump on board the ‘Reunion Train’ of 2011.

Geoff grew up in Townsville and attended Townsville Grammar School and then enrolled at the Townsville University College. He was elected President of the Student Council and graduated as a Civil Engineer and then worked for NORQEB in Collinsville. He completed an MBA at the University of Queensland. In later years he became a very successful consultant to large international engineering projects as well as a Company Director in Australia.

He retired to Mt Mee on the Sunshine Coast.

Geoff is survived by his wife Pam, two children and four grandchildren. He will be sadly missed, particularly by six of his former team mates and their wives who meet regularly on the Sunshine Coast for many a long lunch.

Farewell Geoff - Be proud of a life well lived and well played.

By Roland Taviani

Reunion 2024

SATURDAY, 10 AUGUST 2024 A Reunion event for all Past Grammarians, with a special focus on the graduating years ending in 4.

Saturday afternoon - TGS Rugby@Home afternoon on the Morwood/ Muller Ovals Saturday evening - Tour + Reunion Cocktail Function Information and tickets will be available early 2024 via the website, Facebook group and Instagram - see below

PAST GRAMMARIANS ASSOCIATION 45 Paxton Street, North Ward Qld 4810 pastgrammariansassoc@tgs.qld.edu.au

WWW.TGS.QLD.EDU.AU/PASTGRAMMARIANS