News Feed

​​​​​​The Old Boys’ Association has had a busy year so far. As well as our social events, we’ve been working with the School to develop our online presence alongside the upcoming new BGS website. We’re continuing to engage with the School in the development of an Old Boys’ mentoring network, which will encourage Old Boys, parents and friends of the School to offer their time to mentor younger Old Boys starting out in similar careers. We have also continued to host industry-specific networking and mentoring events to foster connections between younger and older Old Boys within industries.

The Jam

​In June, the Old Boys’ Association hosted our first event welcoming the BGS community as a whole, “The Jam”. This Band Battle was held at The Triffid with the generous support of John 'JC' Collins ’87, and was a brilliant night. Bands with Old Boy musicians spanning more than 50 years, from the Class of 1961 (Bryan McLennan of Deafadders) to the Class of 2015 (the incredible With Blue and Pryde Creek boys), blew us all away. The depth and bre​adth of talent, and the diversity of musical inspiration on display meant that there was something for everyone. Many thanks to Ian Haug ’87 and his Airlock Recording Studios, Andy Wilson ’79 and GYROstream, and Brad Rodgers ’86 and Stone & Wood for their generous support. Special guests Shag Rock rounded out the night with a great set. JC’s sound and lighting crew also deserve special mention for allowing all our bands to shine. We have already started planning next year’s event!

Annual Reunion Dinner

The OBA continues to support individual “milestone” year group reunions, but the Annual Reunion Dinner is still an important event on the calendar, allowing Old Boys to reconnect across the years. In August, Michael Ware ’86 was our guest speaker. Warey has had a fascinating career in journalism, including working as a war correspondent for Time and CNN in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he kept us transfixed with stories from the front lines - from Guadalcanal to Fallujah to LA - some entertaining, some harrowing, all compelling. And it was great to have a big Class of 1986 turnout among a group of Old Boys spanning almost seven decades of year groups. About 25 Old Boys began the night with an afternoon at Northgate supporting a gutsy performance by our First XV against Nudgee. 

I gratefully acknowledge the support of sponsors Stone & Wood, Aurora Pacific Project Management, Howe Ford & Boxer, Morgans, Korn Ferry, TC Clarke & Son, and Bizzell Capital.

Upcoming Events

Our next event is a Professional Networking Evening - Property Industry, on the evening of Wednesday 9 October at the Audi Centre Brisbane. We have an amazing panel of speakers from a variety of careers within the industry. I encourage all Old Boys with an interest in property, especially those considering a career in property or starting their career, to come along. We’re grateful to Audi Centre Brisbane for their continuing support of BGS and our Old Boys’ Association. For further enquiries please contact Carla Hardy, Alumni and Community Relations Officer, on +61 7 3834 5206 or carla.hardy@brisbanegrammar.com.

Volunteering

BGS is actively focusing on the important role volunteerism plays in the advancement of the School’s goals. About one in five boys at BGS have an Old Boy father, and Old Boys are active volunteers at the School. At the recent Moogerah working bee, a large Old Boy contingent returned to Moogerah to contribute to a community-wide effort to develop and maintain the extraordinary facilities. Old Boys are involved across the various support groups for sports and cultural activities, in the P&F, coaching, and through medical support at Northgate. I strongly encourage all interested Old Boys to become more involved in the School through active volunteering, and through contributing to our Year Group Bursary campaign to increase the support the School can give to promising students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access a BGS education.

Vale Rhonda

BGS Old Boys, and in particular the boarding and rowing communities, lost someone very dear to their hearts when Rhonda Cochrane passed away in the early hours of August 10. Rhonda was loved, admired and respected throughout our community, and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Ron and his family. Those wishing to honour Rhonda's memory are encouraged to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation here.  ​

Dr Michael Forrest '87
​President – Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys' Association​