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Former Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys' Association (BGSOBA) President Ian Whittle died suddenly on Monday 15 April.

Ian was widely acknowledged as a superb athlete while a student. In 1966 he was Track and Field Champion; Cross Country Champion; Captain of Athletics; and a member of the First XV and Swimming team. In 1967 Ian was again Track and Field Champion and Track and Field Captain. Ian was a House Prefect in 1966.

Ian's most significant contribution to the School was as BGSOBA President from 1995 to 1999. The leadership, credibility and personality Ian brought to the role contributed to greater alignment between the School and the BGSOBA.

Ian was proud of what the School was, understood its potential, and was able to determine how the Old Boys' Association could make BGS stronger. Ian has been credited with making the OBA relevant to the School and his legacy continues today.

Aside from his voluntary contribution, which was recognised with the 2016 Betty Howell Award for 'significant and long-standing contribution to the BGS Old Boys' Association', Ian will be remembered for other important initiatives.

The 1966 cohort were among the first to establish a Year Group Bursary, something which is now a part of the cultural fabric of BGS – 'paying it forward' to pass on the privilege and advantages of a BGS education. Funds raised by the 1966 year group provided a boarding bursary for the son of an Old Boy from regional Queensland. 

With John Story AO and Major General John Pearn AO RFD, Ian was Patron of the Great Hall Society, which was established in 1998 to encourage bequests to the School.

The Whittle family have a longstanding association with BGS, as Ian's father, brother and son are Old Boys.

Ian was a passionate and generous supporter of the School and we are greatly saddened by his untimely death.