Collegian, July 2023

COLLEGIAN

July 2023

The MAGAZINE of Brisbane Boys’ College

COLLEGIAN

JULY 2023

T 07 3309 3500 W bbc.qld.edu.au

A

Marketing and Communications Manager Jo Belford

Editor Lawson Kiehne

Graphic Designer Arnold Chan

Marketing Assistant Angela Doherty

Photography Jonathan O’Rorke Photography

This publication is an initiative of the BBC Community Engagement Department with contributions from College Staff and the wider BBC community. The views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the College. Every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct at time of printing.

To submit content for consideration, please email communications@bbc.qld.edu.au

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

FROM THE HEADMASTER

MR ANDRE CASSON

This phrase had its genesis in a conversation between the College’s 2022 Captains and our Marketing Team. The collective was workshopping concepts that encapsulated the Brisbane Boys’ College experience for the young men who set foot on our campus each day. They were seeking a means to share the magic that is life at our great school in a fashion that is accessible to those who do not enjoy the privilege of this journey themselves. They are ten simple words that, I attest, beautifully summarise what we are trying to achieve with each Gentleman of Honour. We are a school that seeks to provide a myriad of opportunities for each young man to help find his passion. Once this passion is discovered, we create an environment where these boys can soar. Put simply, we want them to THRIVE. As I reflect with humility on the first six months of 2023, which we share in this publication, I would say that we have achieved this ambition.

“There is more than one way to thrive at BBC.”

Notwithstanding the remarkable achievements contained within this edition of the Collegian, the commencement of this year will be forever marked by the passing of a great leader, remarkable educator, and, above all else, loving family man and friend, Mr David Bell. David was a man for others who sought to bring the best out of all fortunate enough to exist within his sphere of influence. Significantly, he had the most time for those boys and colleagues that needed extra attention. The world is a better place thanks to David’s remarkable contribution to education and sport in Queensland. His funeral reflected a life well lived. A life that made a difference for good. I am proud of the manner in which we said goodbye to our great mate and of the tributes contained within this publication. As I have stated in my own recollections of this wonderful man, the greatest way to honour David Bell is to live the best life possible. To be the best version of ourselves. This was his ambition for all of us. This was his goal in his every endeavour. He would be so proud of the reflections within this edition of the Collegian. Rest in peace, my friend.

As with all periods at the College, the commencement of 2023 has been a frenetic time of excitement in which our community continues to thrive. The articles in this magazine serve as a testimony to the work of our entire community in their continued mission to produce outstanding young men ready to take their place in the world. Academically, our teachers continue to offer our students a truly world-class education that seeks not just to prepare them for the ubiquitous final examinations that are an inevitable part of any school but, more significantly, to provide our boys with the skills to be lifelong learners. They embrace those humanistic dispositions of collaboration, communication, and curiosity, to name but three, which will keep our lads one step ahead of evolving technologies such as AI and machine learning. Our successes, celebrated in these pages, are built on the strong bonds between teacher and student – a source of great pride to me.

Beyond the classroom, our students are afforded experiences in which they can develop their leadership and team-building skills. Our Outdoor Education Program challenges each young man to go beyond what they thought possible and move outside their comfort zone. It is in this realm of uncertainty that real growth and development occur. Our community service opportunities allow the boys of BBC to give back to those who may not have had the same advantages afforded to them. The expanded First Nations Program, born out of our partnership with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, continues to create positive links between all members of our community. Clubs such as Amnesty International, Interact, and the Inter-School

Christian Fellowship challenge our boys to consider a different paradigm when examining the affairs of our world. These opportunities are an integral part of the BBC tapestry. Our performing and creative arts programs continue to be a source of brilliance at the College. The awe that I feel each time I enter College Hall for a musical spectacular is an experience that never loses its impact. It is not just the immense quality of performance that is beyond comprehension but also the breadth of our repertoire. We seek to provide a diversity of opportunities for our students to experience, and we personify this goal every day in our Music Program. Our budding thespians continue to deliver excellent performances, exhibiting the passion and determination of teachers and students working in unison. Our Art Department is strengthening connections with the Bisset Gallery to facilitate the work of the boys. This, along with our Artist in Residence Program, affords our lads an opportunity to hone their skills working in real-life scenarios. Of course, our Pipe Band continues to flourish on the world stage. With several Queensland titles already in our possession this year, the band headed to Nova Scotia to share their talents with our Canadian cousins. The Arts are a beacon of excellence at BBC.

The College continues to display distinction across a myriad of sporting endeavours. Our most recent premierships in the foremost competitions in rowing, tennis, and water polo, along with many similar titles in lower grades, are a direct result of a sporting program built on the fundamentals of great coaching aligned with a common purpose. I am always filled with pride when I witness the Green, White, and Black compete for the College; however, I am equally impressed as I witness their preparations for these athletic contests. Our programs in this realm are first class and afford our young men the opportunity to be the best that they can be in their chosen discipline. We need only consider the plethora of Old Collegians who currently fill the ranks of elite sporting teams, not only here in Queensland but throughout the globe, to find proof of that. The right coaches, with the right skills, working with the right students – it’s a recipe for success every time.

The next six months are an exciting time for the College as we prepare to release our new Strategic Plan. It is a plan built on the legacy of our glorious past, with an eye toward an exciting future, yet it is still very much rooted in our present. This is how we will continue to allow the men of BBC to thrive. This plan has been designed after wide consultation with all members of our community, but it will only succeed if we are aligned as one team. I am grateful to all who have invested their time and reflections to help create a blueprint for our future. Central to this manifesto will be the quote with which I commenced this essay – “There is more than one way to thrive at BBC”. This edition of the Collegian provides testimony to demonstrate the reality of this sentiment.

Enjoy the recollections contained within this publication. They are stories of which we all should be immensely proud.

With the passing of our great friend and colleague Mr David Bell this term, I think a lot of people were probably asking themselves a very difficult question: “What do I believe?”

In my Year 10 World Religions class, we considered different beliefs regarding death. Hindus and Buddhists believe in reincarnation and a new life based on karma in the one before. Muslims talk of paradise and hell depending on how well the Five Pillars are kept. Atheists say that when you’re dead –that’s it. And Christians say that if we have faith in Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins and being resurrected, we have eternal life given to us because of God’s grace and not our own works.

They are all very different beliefs and cannot all be true simultaneously. So, we have to explore these questions seriously during our lifetimes. In fact, I would say that the question we were pondering after David’s passing is the most important one in our lives. What do I believe?

FROM THE CHAPLAIN MR STEPHEN WARD

The Bible has this to say on the matter. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Salvation is found in no one else [than Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to the people of the world by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.

1 Peter 1:3-4

These words by Jesus, the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul give us the basic truths of the Christian faith and the hope of heaven that it offers us beyond this life.

If it is true, and I believe it is with all my heart, why would I not share this good news with everyone I care about? This includes the students, staff, and families of BBC. That’s one of the reasons I’m a chaplain.

Just consider you’re never too young or old to ask yourself, “What do I believe?” because the answer you come up with just might save your life.

BBC FEATURE

DAVID BELL IN HONOUR OF

In Term 2, the Brisbane Boys’ College community suffered a profound loss. Mr David Bell, BBC’s much-loved Head of Middle School, passed away suddenly on 5 May, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as an educator, parent, soldier, and human being.

David’s funeral was held in College Hall and was attended in person by over 1,000 people, with almost 3,000 more watching remotely via a livestream.

This magazine does not contain enough pages to truly do justice to David Bell, but with the assistance of his family and friends, we have tried.

David Bell was the quintessential Renaissance man. This description can be defined as ‘a man who has genuine knowledge or proficiency in a variety of disciplines’ or ‘a man who is skilled in all fields of endeavour, including science, art, philosophy, sports, and military history’. In his own words, and always with a twinkle in his eye, David liked to say he knew “a lot of things about a lot of things”. David was an educator, an academic, a sportsman, a philanthropist, an environmentalist, and a wordsmith. His highly popular newsletter articles, discussed at many a BBC family dining table, were born of shrewd observation and offered measured and reflective tips and guidance to all whilst celebrating the weekly achievements and endeavours of both our students and staff. These newsletters now characterise and immortalise our most revered and respected Head of Middle School. There has been and will be no one quite like David Bell. It would be remiss of us to commend his brilliance in our own writing when it is his penmanship that has encapsulated much of what constitutes the Green, White, and Black of our school culture.

From the BBC Newsletter (Term 1, Week 1, 2021):

There is nothing quite like the buzz that envelops a school on the first day of the academic year. Boys arrive refreshed from holiday endeavours imbued with a sense of optimism and positivity in the knowledge that they begin the year with a clean slate behaviourally, academically, socially, and with their co-curricular aspirations. Parents and staff exist to support them on this year’s journey, but ultimately boys make their own choices about how they author their stories. No matter their aspirations, the ultimate truth will be that they are in command of their choices. Their application, one way or another, will determine the relative realisation of those aspirations. Middle School staff look forward to assisting our boys with the construction of their narrative.

David authored his own narrative with us at BBC in a multitude of ways. In ‘choosing his own adventure’, he ensured that we all willingly journeyed with him. His great friend of 35 years, Mr David Grogan, summed this up so well in his eulogy when he said that “Belly was the lead actor in this wonderful and extraordinary performance that was his life, and we were his ensemble”. His presence was undeniable, his counsel unforgettable, his wit unmatchable. David was always there to support and genuinely care for not just the hundreds of students in the Middle School, or the group of boys that were lucky enough to be in his English class but also his loyal staff with whom he selflessly shared his empathy, humility, and wisdom on a daily basis. His office door was rarely shut and, no matter how busy, he would always be available to attend to the steady stream of colleagues who sought out his opinion or advice on one matter or another.

As he said so himself, “To serve is my life.”

For all of us who have had the pleasure to know David and to have spent time with him, we are agreed that, in his company we felt heard, valued, and understood. We are all the better for having been a part of his compelling and immersive narrative.

Vale DSB.

Shona Woodruff

This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognised by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

- George Bernard Shaw

David was my eldest brother, and with less than two years age difference, we were very close. Being the first-born, he understood responsibility. For David, putting others before himself was a privilege, and he was known for his dependability and devotion to his family, friends, and community. Growing up, David was never without a book in his hand. He was a voracious reader, and I remember that when we would visit our grandparents as kids, he would gravitate toward the bookcase and get lost in the biographies of great leaders, prominent military commanders, and war heroes.

Reading these courageous tales as a young boy laid the foundation for what David regarded as a purposeful life. This didn’t equate to a career defined by prestige cars or other materialistic trappings. I remember when David was a teenager, he was given a Lacoste polo shirt as a Christmas present, and he immediately removed the crocodile insignia because he thought it was too showy. However, when it came to the pomp and ceremony of a military parade, it was a different story. David wore his father’s medals with pride and never missed a Dawn Service. David was destined to follow in our dad’s footsteps, both first-born sons, Brisbane Grammar Old Boys, rugby players, soldiers, and lovers of military history. It was also hard to escape all things Scottish, with our dad’s mother and our grandmother, Nellie McDiarmid, retelling the legendary exploits of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace or reciting passages from tartan-wrapped books of Robbie Burns’ poetry. It is no wonder David was so passionate about the BBC Pipe Band; it reflected our cultural heritage and connected him to his ancestral roots. He loved his time in Edinburgh with the school and wore the Pipe Band uniform proudly. He couldn’t wait to

send me a photo of himself dressed in the kilt, and he laughed when I told him he could be the model on a tin of shortbread.

I always admired David’s decision to pursue teaching when he had the brains, discipline, charisma, work ethic, and sense of social justice to have a career in the military, politics, or law. David saw teaching as an admirable profession, one that was rewarding, meaningful, transformative, and aligned with his mantra, “The harder I work, the more I live.” Teaching distilled in the one job all the attributes he embodied and wanted to foster in the young men in his care: leadership, mateship, service, community, duty, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Teaching was a natural fit because David had such a nuanced understanding of how to relate to young men, or anyone for that matter. He earnt respect through leading by example, and he had the ability to identify, nurture, and mentor your ‘superpower’, that unique talent, skill, passion, and potential.

David would often say “Carpe diem” (Latin for ‘seize the day’), another way of saying ‘I rejoice in life for its own sake’. He relished the precious time he spent with his daughters, family, and large circle of treasured friends from every phase of his life. He also loved the camaraderie of team sport, the reverence of an Anzac Day service, the comedic timing of telling the perfect joke, the exhilaration of travel, the gratification of writing and delivering an inspiring speech, the proficiency of crafting a thoughtful haiku, the satisfaction of demolishing a seafood smorgasbord, and the pleasure of getting a thank you card from a parent, student, or colleague to acknowledge that he had helped or made a difference in their lives. These were some of the things that made David’s torch “burn as brightly as possible”. He would want us to not only carry a torch but to be torch-bearers, driven by a mighty purpose. For David, this mighty purpose was to serve the whole community, and this is the splendid burning torch, the shining legacy, that he “handed on to future generations”.

David’s Sister

Associate Professor Catherine Bell

As David's younger brother, my relationship evolved as we grew up. Being younger, I looked up in awe at my older brother and all that he did.

Everything he did, I tried to do. He influenced my choices in books, sports, music, movies, TV, and, to some extent, my sharing of his strange sense of humour. As we got older, these influences became less one-sided and became more of a collaboration as we swapped books and recommendations for TV and movies. We also shared similar adventures in the Army Reserve and while on overseas travel, about which tall tales were exchanged. As our families grew and we began living remotely from each other, we spent the next stage of our lives exchanging stories of our children's developments and their achievements. We would meet for regular curry nights at my mother's house, and we would swap images of our children and tales of their various pursuits. David took great delight in this ritual and seemed to be happiest when talking about his three amazingly talented daughters. Our mother was extremely happy to have her two sons regularly at her home.

Our differing lifestyles and life experiences complemented each other and provided a balanced approach to providing support and care for our widowed mother.

It is only now that he has passed that I am experiencing a completely unknown side of David from the many messages and conversations I have had with people whom he impacted and for whom he made a positive change in their life or direction. He was selfless and humble and always happy to see you.

Mr Robert Bell

David's Brother (the other Belly)

Dave and I went out for ten years before we married in 1997, and then four years later, on Father's Day 2000, I broke to him the beautiful news that we were pregnant. We were naturally thrilled and excited that we were to become a family. Charlie was born in 2001, two years later Mo, then two more years and Rosa came along. All so individual, different, and magnificent. For me, like so many of you reading this, there are countless hilarious and significant memories of Dave. What I have always had a smile about is that he was so male-oriented with his work, sports, and coaching – and here we were with three girls that would melt his heart and turn him into the Pillsbury Doughboy. They softened him and taught him so much. His three daughters were his school of love, and, at times (like us all), they stumped him like a deer in the headlights, but he loved that the girls challenged him.

He has always been a friend first. We provided each other with good counsel and sincerely only wanted happiness for each other. For so long, I believe we brought out the best in each other, and we maintained a strong mutual respect and love that just adapted on a different level.

I am grateful for knowing him, and although our paths went in different directions as a couple, I am proud of how we never lost sight when it came to our girls. We were and will remain a great team, and so I am choosing to say not that we will make him proud but that we will continue to.

RIP, Dave.

Karina Bell

To a ‘stand-up guy’.

When asked to write something for David Bell (Belly), I thought back through my many memories to share something personal and poignant that exemplifies the person he was.

The first memory of Belly that comes to mind is from Year 8. We were both boarders at the time, and one Sunday, he invited me to his grandparents’ for lunch and to have a look around Shorncliffe, as I had not seen much of Brisbane. Now, he didn’t have to do that – we did not really know each other that well – but Belly knew that the Boarding House could be difficult for the boys who came from interstate or overseas like me.

That invite was the beginning of my friendship with Belly. It was 1980. The reason I include this moment is because it resonated with me about how Belly was raised and how he would go on to lead his life. He was always willing to go out of his way for people and was a genuine, good person who valued friendship.

Another memory was at the 2022 Brisbane Premier Rugby Grand Final (which Wests won over University). Belly and I sat together, talking about my last two and a half spent in Italy during COVID. Belly was always interested in what I had been doing since we last saw each other.

That day, he asked me if Italians used the phrase ‘he’s a stand-up guy’, à la Tony Soprano or Vito Corleone from The Godfather (in gangster parlance, meaning he is a ‘trustworthy’ person, one of us). I replied that Italians would say ‘sei una persona in gamba’, which is a very high compliment and has no criminal connotations.

My point is that Belly loved life and the people in his life. He was genuinely interested in other people. He wanted to know about Italy and the Italian language and customs because he never let an opportunity go by where he could learn something new or connect with someone in another way.

I will cherish my memories with Belly and finish by saying: Caro amico mio, stai tranquillo; sei una persona in gamba sempre.

My dear friend, stay tranquil; you are a trustworthy person always.

Mr Alan Edmond Friend and Teammate

I met David in 1994 when he was an Army Reserve Sergeant Instructor, and I was starting my Officer Commissioning Course. Unlike most army instructors, David had the driest wit and subtlest sense of humour I had ever seen, and he put it to good use. A game he often played was during lessons given by other instructors. Sgt Bell would whisper observations about other instructors’ teeth, ear size, parentage, and voice pitch with the intention of making us laugh. This incurred the anger of the other instructors and got us charged for a ‘lack of selfdiscipline’.

But David was not just a joker; he was interested in how we eventually turned out. Over the last five or six years, David would ask me how people in our course had prospered. He was happy that some had been promoted to Colonel while others became leading medical consultants, senior legal partners, and Members of Parliament. David came to a reunion only days before his death and re-connected with people he hadn’t seen for 26 years.

David viewed boys’ education as a vocation and not an occupation. He firmly believed that each boy mattered. Before the Pipe Band trip to the 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, he made time on weekends to meet the players, help with uniform fittings, and get the boys marching in time. This paid off, as the Pipe Band was better at marching than any other civilian band and a couple of military bands as well. David’s illness during the trip didn’t stop him from teaching each day and supporting the band from performance to performance. He read English essays, provided feedback, sent emails to worried parents, and cared for the sick and fatigued. Over the whole six weeks, David made sure the boys were safe, educated, well-fed, and able to perform at the Tattoo, regional competitions, and the World Piping Championships. The Pipe Band winning third place in the world made David so proud. He was really chuffed to accept the trophy on behalf of BBC that day.

Teachers also benefited from David’s care. Stevie, Shona, Brett, and I saw the same sharp wit, awful puns, and love of laughter that I had first encountered in 1994. He believed that humour was essential for a trip or tour to be successful, and we would trade jokes and observations that made us all cry with laughter.

David was a man who genuinely cared for people, be they Army trainees or the boys under his care. He strove to make each person the best version of themselves.

David Fisher Friend of 29 Years and Colleague

Colonel

David was a man of great intellect with an incredible knowledge of history – especially military history, literature, and sport. He was a man of high moral values and standards. He believed in rules for the betterment of everyone, the law, and justice. Then there was Belly, the sportsman, the coach. And then the man we were constantly drawn to – the comedian, the storyteller, the performer.

I recall one great example of this from our time working together at Churchie. Belly was an accomplished coach, and the young men on whom he really made his mark were the Churchie 10D basketball team. Belly had renamed the team Delta Force.

Delta Force may have been the bottom team in Year 10, but that didn’t matter to these boys – under Belly’s care, they felt like Olympians, like the Boomers. And, of course, Belly had given all the members of Delta Force nicknames according to their individual playing strengths. There was Too Tall Wilson, Ninja Smurf Jasper, and Blake the Snake, to name but a few.

Bench players for Delta Force were scarcer than panda triplets. Often, they had to overcome a huge injury toll. One week, Coach Bell listed the wounded as:

• McCown (hit by a meteorite)

• Roati (bitten by a monkey)

• Bendall (infected tattoo)

• You (mistakenly imprisoned in his own Lego creation)

Match reports were a sports journalist’s delight and told of high-altitude training camps in Colorado during the bye week, collective team tattoos, boys performing herculean defensive efforts, shrewd tactical changes, and so on.

Belly’s impact on his students and colleagues was profound. Shortly after his passing, one of his former students met with me. He told me that at Ipswich Grammar in Year 8, he got an E for English. He was a boy with low esteem, low confidence, and, to make matters worse for this lad, a severe stutter. He told me he had Belly in Year 9.

“He took me under his wing, he believed in me, he gave me confidence.”

That man now has a doctorate.

Mr David Grogan Close Friend of 35 Years, Teaching Colleague, and CoCoach

If I could describe Belly to you in only a few short words, it would be loyal friend, caring father, dutiful son, and in possession of an insanely lightning wit. As one GPS Headmaster said to me, “You are completely unarmed when speaking with David Bell.”

David lived life to the fullest and wasn’t afraid to show the world who he really was. Some of Belly’s favourite activities revolved around touring the world and collecting ties – apparently, he acquired over 300, which is only outdone by sporting kit.

Belly had many things to be proud of in his life, but he was most proud of students who simply put in the effort. He gave 100 percent in whatever he did, and he was proud of any boy who did the same.

The wonderful thing about Belly was that he didn’t live for just himself. Helping others and brightening other people’s lives brought him so much joy. He was always helping and encouraging others through his selflessness and willingness to model servant leadership. He led by doing, getting his hands dirty in the act of giving that most valuable commodity, which, in the end, was so limited:

Belly, you were and will remain such an extraordinary and special person to so many people. Your legacy will live on in the beautiful and somewhat hilarious memories you leave for all of us.

Rest easy now, Belly – remembering you loved well and were very well loved!

Close Friend of 30 Years, Colleague, and Co-Coach

Mr Bell was the essence, the soul, the embodiment of a truly good man. His legacy lies in the purity and honesty of his goodness. He did not hold himself above others; he was available. He was the good man that we, as parents and teachers, can only hope our sons and students grow to be. And it isn’t until a time like this that we realise the incredible gift that he has given us. He came to BBC to show us all what a good man can do, and, in his time here, he inspired hundreds of boys to become true Gentlemen of Honour.

His finest attributes were his empathy, grace, humility, and brilliant mind. These noble qualities were shared selflessly with each and every one of us. I envy the boys who had the great fortune of being in his class. You had in front of you an amazing man, a good man, whose passion as an educator was palpable. His thirst for knowledge, love of learning, and quest for understanding were contagious. BBC has lost an incredible icon – a legend, a colossus – whose quiet strength, wisdom, and humility were a constant beacon.

I’ll leave you with this thought. We walk past the portraits, statues, and plaques of great men every day without a second thought. They are simply objects. But good men

leave a lasting and indelible impression. Even when gone, their presence is still felt among us. They are everywhere: in our memories, in the lessons they have left, and in their words of wisdom. Great men do good things, but good men like Mr Bell show them how they are done so that they can go on to be great.

Ms Emily Maegaard Friend and Colleague

There are times in life that shock us into a vague state of existence where reality is suspended. Now seems such a time when we might question whether what has happened is true and think that, surely, when we wake up, we will find it actually isn't.

I, like many of you, I am sure, feel that way now. David Bell was an intelligent, witty, and loyal human being. Moreover, he displayed that rare and cardinal virtue of humility. That is, he did not think less of himself, but rather, he thought of himself less.

He was most assuredly a true Australian man in the best sense. His devotion to being the best father possible, to being the ultimate teacher and leader of young men, and to contributing to Australian society more broadly was inspiring and led me to take significant steps in my life that I would not have otherwise taken.

Friendship between adult men is often misunderstood and underestimated. It is definitely hard to define. But with David Bell, we can perhaps reach toward that definition.

Belly was a true and trusted friend to me, my three brothers, and many more. He was the one who would:

• Listen without judgement.

• Be there in the hard times, not just the good ones.

• Encourage you to reach for the skies and truly

• Enjoy the success you may have achieved but not think less of you if you fell shor t.

I am very grateful and proud that I could call Belly a friend. His loss cannot be replaced or forgotten, and he has enriched our lives beyond measure.

Dr David Walker Fellow Boarding Master and Friend

After David’s passing, the College began the process of creating a condolence book for his loved ones. We received dozens of responses from the BBC community and beyond, including many from David’s current and former students.

Over a career spanning decades, David earned a deserved reputation as a remarkable teacher known for going above and beyond to support the young people in his care. The messages from his students describe a man who was deeply invested in the happiness and success of everybody he taught, that most valuable breed of educator with the compassion, skill, and strength of spirit to change lives for the better.

Included here are just a few of the messages from David’s students, reprinted with the permission of the Bell family and of each contributor.

“Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about serving and caring for those in your charge.”

These are the words Mr Bell said to me last year when I became College Captain, his great hand weighing heavily on my shoulder. I can’t find any words more fitting to describe the leadership of Mr Bell, who we were privileged to have as our Head of Middle School. Mr Bell knew the boys of the Middle School. He knew which of us were struggling. He knew who needed a firm hand and who needed encouragement. And not only did he know, but he cared. Whether it was arranging tutoring, a quiet word with a parent, or asking an older boy to act as a buddy, Mr Bell oversaw the ebb and flow of every school day, teaching us life lessons through a thousand small interactions. Mr Bell’s life lessons, so often wrapped up in a sporting analogy to make them more easily digestible, had a way of seeping in. And week by week, month by month, year by year, Mr Bell and his words of wisdom have made an enormous impression on me, just as they have on the hundreds of boys who have journeyed through the Middle School.

Mr Bell was a giant of a man in many ways – in stature and in his achievements, but mostly through the impact that he had on each and every one of our lives. He was a teacher of the highest calibre, a passionate rugby coach, a caring leader, and an inspiring mentor. He recognised the potential in every boy under his care. The lasting impact that he has had on the College and on each of us is undeniable.

At the start of my Year 7, Mr Bell told the wide-eyed boys on assembly that we were like the parts of a BBC blazer. We were the sleeves, the collar, the pockets. All very different but all equally important. He told us that together we were even greater than the sum of our parts. That together we were BBC. If I can take Mr Bell’s analogy further, then our Middle School Leader was like the thread of that blazer. He pulled us all together and made us stronger. He touched every one of us and let us shine. The College is a poorer place without him, but his legacy will live on through each of us. Thank you, sir, for all you have done.

James Alexander (Year 12) College Captain

Through my journey through the Middle School, there are a number of stories I could recall in order to truly encapsulate who Mr Bell was to me and many others.

In Year 7, he didn’t fail to ensure I and other new Year 7 boys felt at ease with the move to the Middle School. He provided a sense of comfort; in his wide-brimmed hat, carrying his rubbish prong, he would relentlessly tidy the Middle School courtyard.

In Year 8, he selflessly gave up his own time to offer his expertise to my rugby team. He taught us the foundations of a good lineout. Many of his teachings I still employ today and will continue to. I reckon he came to all our games that year. For a team where wins didn’t come easily, he was there, cheering us on.

Most notably, there is the effect he had on me in Year 9. Many take note of Mr Bell’s dry and witty sense of humour, and our Monday Middle School leader meetings were no exception. He would joke (I think it was a joke) about dreaming of making snow angels in the cans and bottles we would collect for the Containers for Change initiative. This became our inside joke: we would name the big sporting event or party we had attended and mourn the number of bottles and cans that would be thrown out. Additionally, Mr Bell would make sure the door was closed, fearing ‘eshays’ would try and break in. He knew how to have a good time and still manage to get things done. He taught us what it meant to be a servant leader. What we achieved that term was beyond what I believed was possible, a testament to Mr Bell’s hard work.

He was more than a teacher. He was a leader, role model, coach, and friend.

Here’s to many more can angels. Rest easy.

Frederick Bromell Year 10 Student

From the very first day of Year 7, you were the first teacher to ask me to put on my boater. It was a simple act, but it spoke volumes about the kind of school we were in. A school where we wouldn’t compromise on our standards, where our honour remained unblemished.

You had faith in me. You believed in my abilities and saw greatness in me. You saw that I could be in the top one percent in the state. Your unwavering belief in me gave me the courage to aim for the stars.

Now, as I bid you farewell, I wish you all the best in a place where there is no suffering, no stress, and no disappointment.

Time may heal wounds. Time may dilute memories. But time can never change the way you changed me.

Thank you, Mr Bell. Your legacy will live on in the countless lives you’ve touched.

May you rest in eternal peace.

Current Student Brisbane Boys’ College

To me and to countless other boys who went to this great school, Mr Bell was an exceptional teacher, a remarkable human being, and an authentic gentleman. Humble, encouraging, and selfless, he always sought to bring out the best in all his students regardless of ability.

A giant of a man, he was an inspiring teacher, mentor, and role model for me, and he had a profound impact on me during my years at the College. His classes were always memorable and engaging, and he often shared stories with us about his rich life experiences, inspiring us to be better human beings.

Even though he was the Head of Middle School, I remember that he always used to help clean up litter in the Middle School courtyard, as a genuine and selfless leader would. He showed us first-hand how it should be done – not only through words but, more importantly, through actions.

This is only a single example of many that highlight David’s character.

David was a true Gentleman of Honour and perfectly exemplified the values of service, humility, and respect. My hope is that I, along with all the other BBC boys who had the privilege of knowing Mr Bell, will remember the great example he has set for us and continue to exhibit the values he has instilled to become the best human beings we possibly can.

God bless his soul, and may he rest in peace.

Mr Jad Khoury Class of 2021, Brisbane Boys' College

Mr Bell was one of the biggest influences on me in my whole life.

I truly would not be the person I am today without him. He was the best role model, teacher, and mentor I ever had. I could go on and on about what he has done for me, but one thing sticks out. Mr Bell taught me how to be an amazing leader, from helping me perfect myself so that I may aspire to be as good a role model as him to teaching me how to properly lead my peers at school and my platoon in my Australian Army Cadet unit.

He taught me some of the most valuable lessons I have ever learnt. Do not make people do something you would not do yourself; act in the way you wish others would act, and they will follow your lead; and be confident in everything you do are just some of the invaluable lessons he passed on to me.

I am truly saddened by his sudden passing, and I hope I can continue to live up to the standards which he set me and forever honour his memory by doing the best I can and being the best I can be.

Joshua Parcell Year 11 Student

Mr Bell (as he then was to me) was one of the first faces I recall when I arrived at Churchie in 2006 for Year 8. He was my English teacher for both Year 8 and Year 9 and also my rugby coach in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

Despite graduating over a decade ago, I have great memories reflecting on the time I was taught and coached by Mr Bell.

One of my earliest memories of Mr Bell was when I had disastrously ignored the very clear task sheet for an English assignment in early Year 8. Mr Bell kindly talked me through how marking criteria worked and the meaning of 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth' (a saying which I still use to this day). This seemingly small but important lesson from Mr Bell set me on a path to vastly improved academics and also invigorated me to strive to do better, as I knew that was what Mr Bell would want.

On the rugby field, Mr Bell lit a fire in me to improve and sparked a long-running interest in rugby union. He was exceptional in his technical knowledge but also knew how to get a unit of eight boys to do more than pack a scrum together. We worked tirelessly for each other, and the results were earned on the field. I recall lineout perfection (with the calls named after his daughters). Every game I now watch (I am long retired from playing), from the Reds games to test matches, makes me reflect on how Mr Bell made complex mauls and lineout moves a work of art. It was a genuine pleasure to be coached by Mr Bell.

In Year 8, Mr Bell told us that upon graduation, he had a story for those in 8G English that was simply too grotesque to share with schoolboys. Sure enough, we all badgered him to share the story then and there, but Mr Bell was steadfast in his secrecy until we were Old Boys.

Five years later, on the evening of graduation, Mr Bell (with printed and annotated copies of the story to hand out) proceeded to gather the Old Boys of 8G around to tell us the aforementioned grotesque story. From memory, it was about a biker eating roadkill. The effort of this wonderful man to share that special moment with all of us has always stayed with me.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Mr Bell's passing. However, I am incredibly grateful that I was fortunate enough to be his student and player for a brief period many years ago. His influence on me was profound, and years later, I reflect with the fondest of memories as to how he shaped me to become the person I am today.

My sincerest condolences to Mr Bell's family.

Mr Patrick Stanhope Class of 2010, Anglican Church Grammar School

BBC NEWS

FROM THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

MRS SUMMA TODD

The Junior School was a hive of activity during Semester 1 as we welcomed many new boys and staff to the College. The spirit of the Junior School continued to grow as the boys were provided with the opportunity to come together as we strengthened the BBC Brotherhood.

BUILDING LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

Our Year 6 boys have demonstrated that they have the skills and passion to lead the gentlemen of the Junior School. They started the year working with Character Builders to bring them together as a year level and leadership team. During the Canberra Tour and Year 6 Camp, the boys stood tall and were praised for their knowledge and behaviour as they represented our College. We look forward to continuing to work with these young Gentlemen of Honour as they continue to lead the boys of the Junior School.

CELEBRATION IS THE KEY

The importance of taking the time to celebrate is an essential element of what brings our Junior School community together. Our boys have had opportunities through our Interhouse Competition to showcase their talents in a variety of offerings, including sports, choral, writing, and War Cry competitions. Each week at Junior School Assembly, our class presentations are highlighted by solo performances from our boys. As we celebrate our learning and talent development, we also acknowledge the support of our parents and community.

International Women’s Day and our Mother’s Day Afternoon gave the young gentlemen of the Junior School the opportunity to celebrate the important women in their lives. Through tokens of appreciation and invitations to join us in celebration, the boys took the time to say thank you and show their love and care.

We look forward to sharing the future successes of the young gentlemen of the Junior School as they go on to demonstrate excellence in their endeavours as the year continues.

FROM THE ACTING HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

MS AMELIA APOGREMIOTIS

Middle School is a critical and transformative period marked by significant physical,cognitive,and socio-emotional changes.

Our Year 7 students negotiate the challenges of moving into a high school setting, developing new skills, and fostering the ability to manage shifting timetables, changing teachers, and more responsibility for their own belongings. Their experiences at our Year 7 retreat at the beginning of the semester started them on their journey, and their confidence and creativity at the Discovery Day at the end of the term demonstrated just how far they have already come. Planning sustainable solutions for a city in 2100, the boys pitched everything from rubbish-eating robots to energy-producing kinetic sidewalks, presenting creative and inspiring models to support their ideas.

As they move through the Middle School growth spurts, an increase in impulsivity or risk-taking behaviour and fluctuations in moods and friendship groups can be obstacles. Often the achievements of boys’ personal development are not celebrated easily through academic or service awards. At the end of each semester, we recognise boys in the Middle School for their efforts. The awards are all made in-house, from recycled wood and laser-designed Perspex off-cuts, by one of our Year 7 Mentors, Ms Claire Follent, a member of our Design and Technology faculty.

A ‘Quiet Achiever’ is noted for his role as a quintessential College Man. He is helpful and supportive of his peers and staff and can be relied upon to follow through on his commitments and to uphold the best traditions of the school with his approach to all he does.

A ‘Turn it Around’ award is presented to a student who may have begun the semester with some challenges, but, with the faithful application of good advice and sincere effort to generate a change, he has seen his trajectory improve so that he is now on the right track, and should be proud of his ownership of his own progress.

THE FOLLOWING BOYS ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR THEIR AWARDS THIS SEMESTER:

Year 7

Quiet Achiever: Flynn Otto

Reach the Next Level: Jack McGown

Year 8

Quiet Achiever: Archie Vinning

Reach the Next Level: Oliver Tesoriero

Year 9

Quiet Achiever: Jules Kleibacker

Turn It Around: Maxwell Boothey

Reach the Next Level: Oliver Marschke

A recipient of the ‘Reach the Next Level’ award is usually already operating at a very solid standard and has lifted his efforts over the course of the semester to take that standard into an even higher category of success.

FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

MR SCOTT MURPHY

Senior School is an exciting time in one’s academic and personal development journey.

In the scope of one’s life, it is merely a blip on the radar, but the Senior years within a secondary setting equip our students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experiences they need to thrive in their future endeavours. As such, it is important to have programs in place that assist our students to be at their best and help them build upon their essential skills to excel in their post-school pathways.

Through our multifaceted and extensive support network, the Tartan+ Wellbeing Model develops, prioritises, and cultivates interpersonal skills (collaboration, leadership, communication, critical thinking, flexibility) so our students can thrive beyond the BBC portals. By further enhancing these skills, our students will have the necessary and desirable tools and skills for navigating a diverse and ever-evolving world. Our role producing Gentlemen of Honour who lead with empathy and build strong and meaningful relationships has never been more important. The Senior School at BBC prioritises these interpersonal skills to ensure that our students can effectively communicate, collaborate, and achieve personal success. Our programs and curriculum ensure that our students can safely engage with the appropriate support and navigate the complexities that they will encounter in the coming years.

With the help of our dedicated and passionate staff, our students will build resilience, form their values and beliefs, and strengthen their social and emotional intelligence with a scaffolded education that will have them thriving in their areas of personal interest and passion.

CLASH OF THE TITANS

The Brisbane Boys’ College Rowing Program has a long tradition at our school. BBC has won more Head of River Championships in the Open First VIII category than any other school in Queensland. Furthermore, we have a history of proud participation at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England, where we became the first Australian crew to win the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup in 1993.

In 2023, on the thirtieth anniversary of that historic win, the BBC First VIII crew travelled back to Henley to compete in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup once more, and our boys performed strongly.

2023 HEAD OF RIVER

The Head of the River regatta was a little intense this year, but what a finish! And what a result for BBC! First place by 0.26 seconds. Back-to-back-to-back Champions. The hallowed threepeat is something unheard of in BBC racing eight history, although we achieved this feat in fours many decades ago in 1951.

Whilst I have heard many people say how unfortunate The Southport School (TSS) was to lose by such a small margin, I would immediately counter them by saying how brave BBC was to do what was needed to ensure victory.

In rowing, there is no truer point to make than the fact that nobody cares who led at 500 metres, nobody cares what you did at a thousand metres, and nobody cares who was in front at the 1500-metre mark. The only thing people care about is who was in front at the 2000-metre mark, and on that Saturday, despite the mighty challenge from TSS, it was BBC who emerged victorious.

The great unknown with any race plan is the opposition for whom you are planning and hope to counter, for they, too, have a plan, and when they bring the heat, you need to adapt and respond.

So whilst our race plan didn’t quite go off without a hitch, it is often the case that a better story unfolds when the script goes out the window. This race became a dogfight with surges and counter-surges right to the finish line. And if anyone wonders what the commentator meant when he said we were rating 47 to 48, he meant 48 strokes per minute – a huge output considering the time it takes to complete a full stroke from catch to drive to finish to recovery. That’s just over a second per stroke, all the while attempting to maintain rhythm while hauling on tonnes of water. Yes, folks, this was a win for the ages. A story of guts, determination, resilience, teamwork, and belief.

This year, unity and teamwork have also delivered a strong second place finish in the Old Boy’s Cup. This is not an easy task, and out of 20 entered crews, we had 13 finish on the podium, earning a combined total of 105 points (only seven points behind TSS in first place).

2023 AUSTRALIAN ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fresh off our now-famous threepeat a fortnight previously, BBC Rowing travelled to Perth to compete in the 2023 Australian Rowing Championships from 27 March to 2 April.

In what was a week of unpredictable weather at the Champion Lakes rowing course, a constant wind put greater emphasis on performance in the heats to gain preferable lane draws. BBC battled bravely, bringing home two team medals and one individual medal.

Our Open First VIII athletes split into bow and stern crews to row in the Male Under 19 Four+ (Coxed Four) and the Male Under 19 Four(Coxless Four) categories early in the week, with the latter, crewed by Year 12 students Matthew and Daniel Cashman, Thomas Stevens, and Mitchell Owen, claiming the gold.

The crew reunited for the prestigious Schoolboy Eight, where dominant races in the heat and semi rounds saw our young men face off against the best schoolboy crews in Australia in the final. Despite leading early, our boys were unable to hold off the St Ignatius’ College Riverview crew from Sydney, ultimately finishing a very strong second. Our boys were satisfied with their own race. They gave it their all but were simply beaten by a better crew on the day.

One young man who earned two medals during the week was Beau Palmer (Year 10), coxswain of the First VIII, who was thrust into the same role for The University of Queensland Boat Club Women’s Under 19 Composite Eight, guiding them through preliminary rounds to take silver in the final.

2023 HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

This year, the BBC First VIII earned the right to travel to England and represent the College at the highest level of school rowing at the Henley Royal Regatta in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. BBC was one of the ranked crews and did not have to row in the qualifying race. The draw was looking good, and the first two heats went well, with BBC winning ‘easily’ against Monmouth School for Boys and Llandaff Rowing Club. On the Thursday of the competition, we had a chance to rest, and the boys were pumped before Friday’s quarter-finals, where we faced off against last year’s cup winner, St Paul’s School. As the race began, BBC started strongly, and by the halfway mark, the crew pushed away for three-quarters of a length, but with constant pressure from St Paul’s, we could not get settled into a good rhythm. 300 metres from the finish line, St Paul’s made their move and came up victorious.

I was very proud of the team as the boys gave everything they had, and we were a match for one of the best school crews in the world.

THE 2023 BBC FIRST VIII AND HENLEY CREW

• Daniel Cashman (Year 12)

• Matthew Cashman (Year 12)

• Liam Crook (Year 12)

• David Granzin (Year 12)

• Mitchell Owen (Year 12)

• Xavier Rubens (Year 12)

• Thomas Stevens (Year 12)

• Joseph Thynne (Year 12)

• Cox: Beau Palmer (Year 10)

• Reserve: Conrad Scott (Year 11)

• Coach: Mr John Pettigrew (OC 1990)

Mr Zoltan Shepherd Director of Rowing

REFLECTIONS FROM THE CAPTAIN OF BOATS

The 2023 Head of the River (HOTR) is a day that members of the Open First VIII will never forget. Backed by the Green, White, and Black brotherhood, the race was a rollercoaster of emotions. As a team, we went from just under a length in front to a length behind and finally to winning it by a bow ball. Over the finish line, people were celebrating, heckling, and marshalling, then, whilst we sat there confused, the College and the crowd became completely still and silent. The race was so close that nobody knew who had won at first. We had to wait while race officials examined the video footage. It was only after we had drifted half a kilometre down the dam and heard the BBC supporters erupt from their station in sheer joy and excitement that we knew we had done it. An undefeated season sealed by a race performance that many dream of. Whilst the surreal moment for us was celebrated by all, other BBC crews managed to bring out their best race on the day. With a special mention to the rest of the Opens team, who almost cleanly swept the division, the shed as a whole managed to achieve second place in the Old Boys’ Cup – only seven points behind first. In the eyes of the Open First VIII, the O’Connor Cup is more like an

obligation, a promise that was made by each crew member at the start of preseason. However, the Old Boys' Cup is something completely different. It measures the commitment, consistency, and respect across the entire shed as each boy works for the same goal. As a Year 12 student who had rowed for his last time in a GPS competition, as a member of the Open First VIII who had ended his five-year journey representing the College, and as the Captain of Boats who had a front row seat to watch each boy turn into a man, it was an utter joy to see that the shed had grown stronger. And with a new round of Year 8s winning the Junior Head of the River, I know that, as an Old Boy, it’ll be exciting to see what the shed will achieve next year and in the years to come.

The Henley Royal Regatta is an international event whose course is 2,112 metres long. As a team, we all had to decide whether we wanted to go since it would require an even deeper level of dedication and tough work. But as a team, we extended the Open First VIII’s season another two to three months. Considering our successes as a crew, being State Champions, undefeated HOTR Champions, U19 Coxless Four Australian Champions, and Schoolboy VIII silver medallists, we saw this event as an opportunity and

an experience to last a lifetime. This decision was also our own. We weren’t pressured with the 30-year legacy left by the 1993 BBC Open First VIII, and we weren’t pressured with any expectations. However, with the help of our sponsors, namely Mr Matt Kesby (OC 1994) from GoTeam, we had set our sights on taking some races from crews around the world. We succeeded in making it all the way to the quarter-finals, where we were pitted against the regatta title holders, St Paul’s School, on our fourth day at Henley. To get to this moment, we had to be better than the ten crews who had been eliminated in the qualifying rounds, as well as Monmouth School for Boys and Llandaff Rowing Club in our one-on-one match-ups on Days One and Two. The press on the day described the race as a battle of titans, and the commentators explained how the race could have easily been the final, and rightfully so. Similar to our HOTR race, both crews rowed through each other twice and showed no sign of backing down until the final 300 metres. We had given it our all, but St Paul’s were better with their extensive knowledge of rowing on the Thames; beatable but better.

The aftermath of the race was gut-wrenching. Yes, we were disappointed in the loss, but it was nowhere near as saddening as knowing that that was the last time we would row together. For five years, we’ve known each other; for five years, we’ve had a brother-like friendship; for five years, we’ve revelled in with each other’s banter; for five years, we’ve been through each other’s ups and downs and those five years had ended in the blink of an eye. Whilst some of us will continue to row and see our brotherhood from time to time, it will never be the same. We’ll go on to represent different colours for different classed boats, or we’ll play a completely different sport. Our coach, Mr John Pettigrew (OC 1990), summed it up nicely when he was saying his goodbyes. “You have this bond that transcends all reason, and I can guarantee you that you’ll just know what and how each other is doing. You could be on the other side of the world and – without messaging or calling them – just understand that they’re doing good.”

Thank you for all the support from parents, Old Boys, and the BBC community for lifting us up to our potential. I hope that this culture, this bond, is not only felt by every BBC boy at the shed but by the GPS community for the years to come. It has shaped the last few years to be the best in my life, and it’s something that I wish upon all who work for it.

Captain

Mitchell Owen (Year 12)

of Boats

HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN A RISK?

Have you ever taken a risk? Or perhaps challenged yourself not knowing what the outcome would be?

The greatest lessons in life do not come from doing what is easy; they come from doing what is hard.

This year, I was privileged enough to stand on the banks of the Thames River at the Henley Royal Regatta to cheer on our remarkable 2023 Henley crew.

30 years after the first crew went to compete in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, BBC can now say that entering this

world-class race is a tradition.

Creating traditions like this takes courage, determination, and some serious faith from all involved. All of these are character qualities that set apart the ordinary from the extraordinary.

On Day 1, the crew was seeded against Monmouth School for Boys. Our crew won the race by multiple lengths.

On Day 2, I joined Coach John Pettigrew (OC 1990) in the officials’ boat and followed the crew along the course from start to finish.

BBC ROWING PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY GOTEAM

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSOR

Making the way up the course in the officials’ boat brought back a flood of memories from the 1993 race. Approaching the starting line and seeing the young men getting ready brought on the excitement and nerves that were always alive inside prior to commencing a race.

Racing against Llandaff Rowing Club, the boys looked formidable. From what I understand, the crew is ten kilograms heavier, ten centimetres taller, and older than the 1993 crew, and I thought to myself, ‘I am glad I am not racing against them!’

As the officials steadied the crews and called the start, the sheer might of the BBC First VIII could be seen and heard as their oars powered the boat out of the water and into a strong lead. It was clear they would dominate this race and go on to a solid win, which they did.

On Day 4, after a rest day, the crew was presented with St Paul’s School and seen to be a strong contender. In an electrifying display of skill and determination, our crew bravely faced off against St Paul’s, who earned silver medals at England’s National Schools’ Regatta.

Right from the start, our crew gained a slight advantage over their opponents. With the teams neck and neck for the majority of the race, spectators were kept on the edge of their seats. Predicting the final outcome seemed like an impossible task, with both crews demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience.

In a jaw-dropping final 300 metres, St Paul’s unleashed a surge, securing first place and going on to come second to

St Edward’s School, who took out the Cup on the final day. It was a truly memorable race, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of both teams. Our young men displayed their grit and tenacity, and I was so proud to be there to see this race first-hand.

There were many feelings and emotions at the end of the race. The ones I would encourage all to hold on to are being grateful and proud!

Be grateful for all wins. On the days you are bested, which will happen in life, always remember that you are not winning or losing; you are winning or learning.

Be proud of the 2023 BBC Henley crew, as they are now amongst the best schoolboy oarsmen in the world (read that again).

To compete like this on the world stage is something that they will take with them for the rest of their days. Even more important are the lessons of hard work, determination, teamwork, and discipline that are the hallmarks of future success in life.

Thank you for inspiring greatness in us all.

Mr Matt Kesby (OC 1994) Member of the 1993 BBC Henley Crew Founder/Chief Technology Officer, GoTeam https://go.team

History of Boarding at Brisbane Boys' College

In Semester 1,BBC celebrated National BoardingWeek, an important opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable part the Boarding House and its residents play in the story of our College.Our Archives document so many incredible moments in the history of BBC Boarding,all of them vital in preserving the spirit of the College in days gone by.These are just a sample.

Helen Jackson Archivist

1900s-1910s – An overseas voyage lasting five terms was the catalyst for BBC founder Mr Arthur ‘Barney’ Rudd to accept his first boarders. Brothers Frank and George Lukin (OC 1912 and OC 1913) were in the Rudds’ care for 15 months beginning in Term 2, 1909, while their parents travelled in Britain and Europe.

1920s – By 1923, boarding numbers had increased by 58 to reach 60. The Boarding House, replete with a dining room, was situated in a Queenslander next door to Mr Rudd’s house in Bayview Terrace, Clayfield.

1930s – When BBC relocated to Toowong in 1931, boarders were housed on the top floor of the Main Administration building. The Senior Dormitory was found directly above today’s Chapel of St Andrew; however, at the time, the chapel was the Assembly Hall.

1950s – Saturday night entertainment for the boarders was lacking on the arrival of BBC’s third Headmaster, Dr T. Ross McKenzie, in 1947. As an accomplished actor and an authoritative student of Shakespeare, he organised rehearsals on Saturday nights in preparation for an October production. In this image, the cast of Twelfth Night is seen backstage.

1940s – During the 1936-7 Christmas holidays, a small weatherboard hut was erected to provide the boys with a suitable place to carry on their various hobbies. It was always a popular place with the boarders. This photo shows the Junior School Boarders with the School Dog in 1946.

1970s – Unlike today, only the overall winning House for the year used to have their photo in the Portal. From the inception of the House system in 1931, Rudd House was regularly recorded as the dominant victor over the two day-boy Houses of Knox and Wesley.

1960s – Boarding numbers fluctuated at around 200 during the 1960s. The original dining room was located on the ground floor of the Main Administration building in the precinct of what is now Mr Murphy’s office. In 1966, the P&F bought new plastic plates, cups, and saucers to replace the aging crockery.

1980s – The camaraderie and school spirit of Rudd House have always been strong and are no more evident than in sporting contests.

1990s – In 1989, the boarders anticipated the completion of construction on the current Boarding House, as well as a new kitchen and dining room complex containing modern commercial Regethermic ovens. In 1999, a young chef named Mr Michael Smith arrived and has since become pivotal in the daily life of the Boarding House.

2023 - We've come a long way since the 1940s, when boarders used to sit in the Assembly Hall on Sunday afternoons penning letters home, or using the newly invented aerogramme to write to their fathers' serving overseas. In 2023, these charging stations hold the contemporary means of immediate contact with family.

2020 – In February 2020, during the uncharted early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the overseas boarders were isolated in a wing of the Boarding House while the remainder of the school worked from home. Fortunately, the dormitories are no longer open as in the 1931 image, when epidemics such as mumps and measles raged, leaving very few untouched.

2023 NATIONAL BOARDING WEEK

Back in May, we celebrated National Boarding Week, which is commemorated across Australia by every boarding school. It is a week to celebrate the 189 boarding schools in Australia and remember the amazing lives that we, as boarders, get to lead.

Among other things, the week included meetings between the leaders of other boarding houses across Brisbane and some special food put on by the Chef. But the highlight of the week was the massive boarding cake made by our amazing House Mum, Bee. National Boarding Week is a time to remember how boarding affects us, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities this Boarding House has given me to live with amazing people from all walks of life.

I come from a little farm just north of Emerald, about 840 kilometres northwest of Toowong. My family breeds stud bulls, and I’m privileged to have grown up on a farm my entire life. My dad’s family have been in the cattle industry for generations, and I’ve loved every minute of growing up on a cattle property.

Living in the country is something I truly cherish and love, but so is the opportunity to be part of the amazing BBC Boarding House. For me, a special memory of the Boarding House was in my first year when I got to put the two of them together. BBC went north to Rockhampton for Beef Week 2021, and I got to represent the school for half of each day while helping my parents with their cattle for the other half. It was an amazing week for everyone who went.

In the Boarding House, we have a multitude of boys from across Australia and around the world. There are blokes like me from farms across Queensland, but there are also boys from places like Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea and even down the street in Brisbane. We all live together, and, as Mr McEwen always says, I reckon we truly are one boarding family. Inside the dorms, it doesn’t matter if you come from the country or city, Australia or Japan; we are all one group of boys living life together.

One of the key things that creates the amazing bond between the boys of Rudd House is the mealtimes. We eat together at breakfast, morning tea, lunch, and dinner, and sitting around the table and talking helps strengthen the brotherhood between us.

The meals are full of variations and ideas, ranging from Tommy packs and chicken teriyaki burgers to Korean and Mexican buffets. For breakfast, plenty of cereal and toast is always available, as well as porridge and congee in the winter terms. Every morning, there’s always a huge selection of hot food ranging from bacon and eggs to chocolate croissants. Some favourite lunches include the infamous Tommy pack or the Seeto Burrito, always supplemented with rice or pasta for those in bulking season. Dinners include anything from the likes of chicken parmi or steak to the buffets on Friday nights, with a range of desserts.

After dinner, we head to prep, our compulsory study time on Monday to Thursday nights. To help us with our studies, teachers and Old Boys come in to tutor us, so there is never an excuse not to do our work. It’s an important system to utilise to help us make the most of our time at school.

The Boarding House joins in many activities throughout the year, including the Anzac Day Dawn Service, which this year

saw around 30 boys brave the early morning to commemorate an important part of Australian history, and the fallen soldiers that died so we could be free.

We always celebrate days such as Mother’s Day as a Boarding House. We reflect on the massive impact our mums have on our lives, even as they are hundreds of kilometres away for most of us.

The rec activities on the weekend are a massive highlight. Even simple activities like touch on the oval or heading to the sports complex with your mates mean that there is never an excuse to be bored on the weekend. Going to the rugby or league games is always a hit, as are activities such as game rooms or escape rooms.

When you’re with the boys, even the simplest activities get turned into a whole lot of fun. Games Night in the common room becomes a fiery competition between mates. Quite often, we will also have visits to or from our sister schools, Clayfield College and Somerville House. These visits are always a lot of fun, and we often play on the oval or at the sports complex together before a chapel service and chats over dinner.

We also participate in community events like mental health walks to raise awareness for issues in and around our community.

For the Year 12s’ very last rec before graduation, the entire cohort goes to paintball together, along with a handful of boarding staff. It is a lot of fun but also an opportunity to settle the scores with the tutors and boarding staff who have been looking out for us for years. It really is one last hurrah before we throw up our shoes and walk out of the dorms for the last time.

Another massive highlight is the themed dinners, which happen once or twice throughout the year. This year, we had the amazing Bogan and Business-themed night, which saw some amazing costumes partnered with a great feed from the Chef.

The end-of-year Christmas celebrations are always a lot of fun. Good food with good blokes makes for a great night in the last couple of weeks of the year.

The most important part of Rudd House is the culture and spirit. This was seen in the absolute demolition of the other Houses in the Interhouse War Cry Competition. But truly, the amazing things I’ve mentioned before pale in comparison to the amazing culture within Rudd.

Carefully crafted by the fantastic work of Mr McEwen, the feeling of living with a group of boys that have your back is something that is completely indescribable. I truly believe that no Boarding House in the world comes close to the bond between the Rudd brothers at BBC. We really are a boarding family, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Jacob Job (Year 12)

Rudd House Captain

CHICRI MAKSOUD MATHEMATICS LABORATORY

Our Mathematics Precinct, honouring the late Mr Chicri Maksoud, was opened on Tuesday, 18 July, in front of Chicri’s family, friends, and colleagues. Chicri’s vision was to create a precinct where staff could work together, boys could work between classes according to their needs, and an environment that inspired mathematical thinking would be fostered.

Since Chicri’s passing, the College has used funds raised in his memory to update the space in the Hamilton and Rudd blocks to reflect his wishes. The mathematics team has been fundamental in ensuring that this new design can lead to the best possible practices to engage student learning.

Key features of the update have included multiple whiteboard spaces to allow students to collaborate and be active in their problem-solving; new paint, blinds, carpets, and classroom furniture; and artwork in the outdoor areas to inspire mathematical thinking. The work is well underway, thanks to

the kind donations made in Chicri’s memory. This work will continue into the future, with additional technology planned for the new rooms and the development of mathematical themes for each of the learning spaces.

Thank you to those who have contributed and to the mathematics team for keeping Chicri’s legacy alive.

Dr Leigh Hobart Deputy Headmaster – Academic Performance and Innovation

2022 RECIPIENT OF THE GRAHAM THOMSON MEDAL

JAMES THOMPSON

The prestigious GrahamThomson Medal is awarded to a current BBC student who exemplifies the exceptional qualities embodied by Mr GrahamThomson,the highly regarded fifth Headmaster of the College.BBC was proud to bestow this award on JamesThompson (Year 12) as its most recent winner.

Throughout James’ tenure at BBC, he has always exhibited a fierce determination to give his best, both academically and in his numerous co-curricular endeavours, including cricket, basketball, and football. James has carried himself at all times with integrity and modesty, leading his peers by example.

As a Senior Student, James has set an example to younger Collegians by way of his presentation and conduct inside and outside of the College. He is a true Gentleman of Honour.

As James continues to pursue his educational journey at BBC, his exceptional achievements and extraordinary qualities undoubtedly mark him as a deserving recipient of the Graham Thomson Medal and a source of inspiration for future generations of students at the College.

GATHERING OF THE CLAN

More than 600 parents and staff attended our annual Gathering of the Clan on Friday, 3 February. The evening provided a fantastic opportunity for our parent community to come together for the first time this year and was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The College extends its thanks to the P&F, everyone involved in organising this event, and all who attended for making this a wonderful night!

Mother’s Day Breakfast

BBC ARTS

The InspectorGeneral

FROM PAGE TO STAGE

“Corruption?! In this little country town?!”

AntonAntonovich is a popular mayor in his small Queensland town.He tends to turn a blind eye to proper procedures,but he gets the job done.Everyone is perfectly happy with his approach – althoughAntonovich doesn’t follow all the rules,surely no federal bigwig is going to inspect their little town?

But,one day,Antonovich receives a letter from the neighbouring town – they are about to receive an unexpected visit from a federal inspector.The only trouble is nobody knows what he looks like.

The College production for 2023, The Inspector General, took the stage on Friday, 14 July, and Saturday, 15 July. In a first for the College, the production was performed at Australia’s first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round: the La Boite Roundhouse Theatre in Kelvin Grove. As one of the first major events of Semester 2, expectations were high. Unsurprisingly, a performance of this magnitude requires extensive rehearsal and preparation. Staff and students worked tirelessly from December 2022 to organise everything.

Transforming the Text: From 1800s Russia to 1980s

Queensland

The Inspector General is an adaptation of Ukrainian-born author Nikolai Gogol’s play, The Government Inspector. Gogol was best known for his short stories, which gained him popularity among his literary counterparts. However, The Government Inspector faced controversy.

The four-act comedy of errors shed light on the political corruption of contemporary Russia, which triggered an extreme reaction from the Imperial bureaucrats. Strangely, it resulted in Tsar Nicholas I personally approving the production. He even attended the opening night at the Alexandrinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on 19 April 1836. Although 187 years have passed since that performance, the themes of the play remain highly relevant today. To give the production an Aussie flavour, I spent the summer transforming the story into a fast-paced, two-act comedy set in 1980s country Queensland.

However, it was not corruption that served as the inspiration for this setting. Country towns can play host to an abundance of larger-than-life characters. Instead of Russian public servants, we have a vibrant cast of characters, including tradies, farmers, bikies, and an array of other individuals with true-blue accents!

Rehearsal Process

Although I am no longer a student, my passion for the theatre is still very much present, and I might not have ever found this passion if it weren’t for the BBC Drama Department. I want to help younger boys find this passion as well.

- Mr Alistair Nicol (OC 2022)

Rehearsals began in Week 1 of Term 1, 2023. Although the script had already been edited to suit the context, it truly began to take shape with the help of the cast. As a director, I believe it is naive to disregard the ideas of your actors. My response to most of the cast’s questions was, “What do you think?”

Whilst creative decisions ultimately rest with the director, the production is filled with elements that were born from student ideas. Senior students were tasked with directing the Junior boys, while Old Collegians were invited back as coaches to assist with direction.

Not being able to rehearse in the Roundhouse Theatre posed a challenge. Its unique shape is daunting for any actor, let alone a student production. To gain insight into the space, three principal cast members and I went on a site visit early in Term 1. This was hugely beneficial as we quickly got a sense of what was possible and how we could utilise our rehearsal space back at school.

By Term 2, we had the framework of the show in place. During this time, we were joined by talented young women from Stuartholme School and Somerville House to complete our 24-strong cast. These ladies brought their own creative flair to the production and quickly formed strong bonds of friendship with everyone involved.

Term 2 proved to be a rollercoaster at the College. We experienced the loss of our esteemed Head of Middle School, Mr David Bell, and rehearsals took a brief hiatus as we mourned the passing of our teacher and friend. The understanding and support from the cast were immeasurable, and I will forever cherish their care and respect towards myself and one another.

As we bid farewell to Term 2, we felt both exhausted and accomplished. The show was ready; all we needed now was an audience.

Dressing the Set – and the Actors!

Despite the large and unique shape of the Roundhouse Theatre, which provides ample opportunities for extravagant set pieces, The Inspector General embraces a surprisingly minimal aesthetic.

With most of the action taking place in Mayor Antonovich’s living room, every set piece plays a pivotal role in creating that world. With the assistance of Ms Sarah Cattoni, Art teacher, and Mr John Willis, Design and Technology teacher, we created a space with bespoke pine tables, scaffolding, and a four-sided stage block – complete with a hand-painted Antonovich family portrait. These set pieces are manipulated by the stage crew, led by Ms Judilyn Bauer, Head of Film and Television, throughout the production to cleverly portray the other settings.

Costuming has been a fun and nostalgic journey: think hi-vis, bad suits, and R.M. boots. With the assistance of Ms Amelia

Apogremiotis, Acting Head of Middle School, we had fun with the ladies’ costumes – they were a bit like Kath & Kim meets high school formal.

Bringing Down the House

The Inspector General was performed to roughly 400 audience members across three performances. The boys conducted themselves exceptionally at La Boite and were an asset to the College. Watching the cast perform was a career highlight; once they got their first laugh, we knew that we had created something special. By closing night, the cast were electrifying, and the show was ten minutes longer than billed. The boys were relishing any opportunity to extend their gags, interact with the audience, and ad-lib. My number one objective with this project was to build confidence and spark joy, and it was obvious that this was achieved. Thank you to the cast, staff, and parents who made The Inspector General a resounding success.

What’s Next for BBC Theatre?

I strive to provide students with real-world opportunities and open their eyes to theatre that they may not usually experience, and adapting a Russian satire for an Aussie audience certainly achieves this. But it is crucial that our young gentlemen (and visiting ladies) understand that theatre is not just about getting into costume and reading from a script – the required effort and stamina match any GPS championship.

And champions they have been – it has been a pleasure to foster the energy and enthusiasm of the entire cast and crew. On to the next one!

Ms Chloe Crichton Master in Charge of Theatre, Drama Teacher

CATCHING UP WITH JET CAMERON

Year 11 student Jet Cameron was the 2022 winner of the Darren Middleton Songwriting Competition (DMSC), the fantastic initiative judged by and conducted alongside songwriter, musician, and BBC alumni Mr Darren Middleton (OC 1988) of Powderfinger fame. As a Year 10 student, Jet presented his song Realise, demonstrating not only his ability to write a lovely ballad but also his fine singing voice and the capacity to accompany himself.

With the help of the generous prize donation from Hutchinson Builders, Jet was able to record Realise and release it on various platforms, including Spotify. Jet has since gone on to record and release two more songs (Ride It and Dirt & Sand) on Spotify and has gained the attention of a number of radio stations.

Jet remembers that he was introduced to music at a young age and has always found it appealing. His earliest influences were his mother and grandfather, who would teach him songs and allow him to tinker on the family piano. His grandfather went on to gift Jet his first guitar, teaching him some basic chords. Jet started taking his music a little more seriously around 2019, writing his first songs in 2021. His musical taste and writing style have been helped along by an interest in artists like Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Sam Fischer, and various R&B artists, but Jet continues to list his family as his primary influence.

Since winning the 2022 Darren Middleton Songwriting Competition, Jet has not only had Realise recorded and mastered but also released a music video on YouTube. He acknowledges that the competition has increased his confidence in performing, be it live or recorded, and he enjoys being interviewed by local radio stations. Jet recognises that entering and winning the DMSC ’22 helped him get his song recorded, produced, and onto streaming platforms.

Jet’s other interests include his involvement in sports, namely rugby union, rugby league, track and field, and swimming. He enjoys competition and going fast, be it on a jet ski or a mountain bike.

Jet would like to thank Darren Middleton, Hutchinson Builders, his recording and producing team, and BBC Instrumental Music Instructor Mr Steve Williamson.

Mr Theo Kotzas Head of Performance Music and Head of Strings

TWILIGHT CONCERT

BBC SPORT

The 2023 GPS Football season was one filled with many highlights on and off the field. One, in particular, was the partnership BBC formed with the Celtic FC Academy. This collaboration provides the boys with world-class football education and the opportunity to progress in their footballing dreams.

The season was one of mixed results, with many teams finishing higher than in their previous year’s rankings. There were also some teams that didn’t quite get over the line in the tight contests. The number of participants was again up on last year, and many teams finished in the top four or five; some even higher.

In the Junior School, there were some very pleasing results and with the continual growth of our junior coaching development, there will no doubt be more success to come. The Year 7 cohort will be all the better next year following a number of unexpected wins across the board against some of the highly rated schools. The Year 8 teams were unlucky for the majority of the season, although they managed to find some success late in the competition. Year 9 footballers achieved several great results in the GPS Competition and external cups; they have a bright future. Several strong performances from the Year 10 boys across all levels sum

the season up as a successful one. The Year 11 cohort finished the season with success across the board, including some strong results that displayed the quality of this year. The Opens, with six teams competing in GPS Football, demonstrated the growing involvement of boys playing the sport at BBC. All Open teams competed with favourable results on many occasions.

This year saw BBC Football compete in external competitions as well as the GPS Competition. It is the first time BBC has had a team compete in both the Bill Turner and Uhlsport Cups in the same season. In the latter, the 15 Years and Under boys made it through to the third round after defeating Cavendish Road State High School, while the First XI have progressed to the quarter-finals.

All things considered, football at BBC is heading in the right direction, with opportunities for boys to thrive on and off the field. The program could not provide these opportunities or run as smoothly as it does without the amazing work of our highly efficient Football Support Group.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BELOW AWARD WINNERS FOR THE 2023 SEASON:

TEAM BEST AND FAIREST MOST IMPROVED

Year 5A Heath Madsen

Year 5B Edward Bell

Year 5C Tom Nguyen

Year 6A Christian Bayett

Year 6B Alex Sanders

Year 6C Robbin Han

Year 7A Felix Forbes

Year 7B Hamish Davies

Year 7C Angus Hassall

Year 7D Claine Underwood

Year 8A Jack Coleman

Year 8B Fraser Longworth

Year 8C Alex Yun

Year 9A Joe Compton

Year 9B Balthazar Basha

Kiyan Jayasuriya

Edward Sherlock

Iggy Martin

Ted White

Austin Ashley

Jack Holmes

Sam Jones-Wilson

Jack Lyster

Alby McCallum

Henry Kent

Ethan Msonga

Henry Page

Cooper Pankhurst

Alex Brewer

Harry Cartwright

Year 9C Vali Asigau Tupac Holloway

Year 9D Hamish Brown

Year 10A D’Arcy Satharasinghe

Year 10B Leo Xu

Year 10C Taylor Magele

Year 10D Archie Stivano

Year 11A Lachlan Rayner

Year 11B George Payne

Year 11C PJ Hansen

Year 11D Josh Parcell

Second XIMitchell Camilleri

Third XI Tom MacDonnell

Fourth XI Aidan King

Fifth XI Hugh Moore

Sixth XI Harry Hodder

Team of the Year 10D (eight wins)

Coach of the Year Mr Jermaine Chiuta College Spirit Award Joe Compton College XI

Ally Henderson

Nate Barnett

Zach Rowley

Angus Hall

Walter Bathern

Ned Wintraaken

Thomas Chalk

James Hann

Alex Baird

Reuben Beier

Guillaume Kronberg

Ollie Humphrey

Hamish Hulme

Liam MacMahon

Joe Compton, Ethan Msonga, Evan Msonga, Sam Liessmann, Jack Harris, Riley Stewart, Chris Slater, Nik Skulic, Lachlan Rayner, D’Arcy Satharasinghe, Max Roberts

First XI Player of the Year Evan Msonga

First XI Players’ Player Evan Msonga

Thank you to all the coaches and staff for their efforts and commitment this year and for working tirelessly to involve themselves in the development of the boys both on and off the field.

The BBC Football Program is eagerly looking forward to extending the successes of 2023 into the 2024 GPS season.

Mr Andrew King Director of Football

Think Income. Think Trilogy Funds .

The aim of the 2022/2023 GPS Cricket season was to focus on the culture of the program and how we can align our values through the parent, coach, and student network. This pertained to both Term 1 and Term 4 via the introduction of the BBC Cricket Curriculum. Looking back at the season, I am proud of the way that our boys went about their training and their games, as well as their behaviour on and off the field. I look forward to building on the culture of the program from year to year and growing the curriculum as we strive to be the benchmark school cricket program within Queensland. During the 2023 GPS season, we had 23 teams involved in the program, with three teams finishing in first place (Third XI, Fourth XI, 9Bs) and two other teams placing in the top three (First XI, 11As).

Reflecting on the pre-season, several highlights come to mind. Firstly, there is the opening of our state-of-the-art facility on Noblet Oval. This momentous occasion meant that BBC cricketers now have 11 lanes that they can train in, netting and synthetic grass that are of an international standard, rubber set down under the bowling crease to reduce the risk of injury, and a facility that the boys can be proud to call their own. The net opening was followed by the inaugural Chicri Maksoud Memorial Match, which saw a Staff XI take on our Achievers XI of 2022. The Nic MacBean Cup continued its tradition of

playing under lights and brought an All-Star XI of ex-students back to the College to take on a Year 12 XI. This event has been a consistent fixture within the BBC Cricket calendar and is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about mental health and educate our boys about how important it is to look after themselves and one another. The BBC Cricket Supporters Test Lunch was a huge success, featuring a starstudded lineup of panellists, including Mr Merv Hughes, Mr Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock, Mr Peter Anderson, Mr Matt Willans (OC 2018), Mr Andrew Courtice (OC 1978), Mr Chris Hartley (OC 1999), and Mr Evan Bancroft.

This season, we have created a strong foundation that we can build on to succeed in our goal of being the benchmark school cricket program in Queensland.

Mr Paul Woodford Director of Cricket

A REMARKABLE TENNIS SEASON AT BBC

The tennis season at Brisbane Boys’ College has been nothing short of extraordinary. With an impressive array of achievements and records broken, the students and coaches have truly excelled in their pursuit of excellence on the court. The success of BBC’s tennis program can be attributed to the exceptional coaching team of Mr Shane Barr, Mr Ben Mitchell, Mr Ryan Hayes, Mr Simon Wright, Mr Leo Prudencio, and Mr Nick Liddy. Their expertise, guidance, and dedication have played a pivotal role in shaping our students into exceptional tennis players.

This season, BBC proudly achieved a record-breaking 17 premierships across Years 5 to 12. The tennis teams across this age range achieved an impressive 82 percent win rate, showcasing the effectiveness of the coaching strategies implemented by the team. Furthermore, our Year 8 to Year 12 teams achieved an outstanding 91 percent win rate. This season marked a series of historic victories for BBC. For the second time in the program’s history, our school emerged

victorious in both the Primary Schools and Secondary Schools State Teams Finals, which was our first victory since 2018 in the latter. BBC’s First IV team achieved another significant milestone this season by winning the premiership for the first time since 2020.

We look forward to building upon this success in the seasons to come and continuing to foster a culture of excellence in tennis at BBC.

Mr Ethan Wilkinson Director of Tennis

THE FIRST EVER ALL-ELECTRIC LEXUS RZ

THE REASON IS READY

Overseas model shown. Australian specifications & features may differ.

SCAN TO DISCOVER

INSIGHT

FROM THE HEAD OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION

DR LEIGH HOBART

So, What Are You Reading Now?

I think it is fair to say that I am a voracious reader – everything from how-to manuals and leadership books to biographies and historical narratives and plenty in between.

Sometimes I read in the traditional sense, and sometimes I listen to audiobooks through formats such as Audible. Reading has given me much. It has allowed me insights into other worlds; permitted me to relax, laugh, and cry; taught me a lot about people, language, and the world around me; and led me to expand my mind to discover what had previously been unknown. My studies and work have required me to read diligently and with purpose, but, by far, my favourite reading is when I am by the beach relaxing with an intriguing fiction –usually Australian.

Reading also holds many memories. My earliest days were spent growing up on a property where my grandparents also lived. My grandmother and I would spend most afternoons in my early years curled up with a good book. Thinking about her reading Mitten the Kitten or Enid Blyton adventures to me brings a feeling of warmth and comfort – shared laughs, love in practice, and the certainty of a familiar story. My first day of school in Year 1 is also a distinct reading memory. With our little desks in straight rows, my wonderful teacher, Mrs Hazel,

had neatly hung charts around the room with words and pictures. I remember looking up and, at five years old, being surprised with my own ability to be familiar with a word on one of the posters – a woman with a baby, alongside the word ‘Mother’. Fast forward many years later, and reading has given me the ability to be informed about the world and develop the foundations of a lifelong career in education, as well as providing an outlet for entertainment and relaxation.

One of the strengths of words is that engagement is different for everyone. It may not surprise you to learn that I am in a couple of book clubs. More happy reading memories. The conversations we have about novels we have read bring a variety of interpretations and perspectives. The different book choices of its members, the way they have engaged with the text, and how they have felt about the contents within have allowed us to share our own lives at a deeper level, fostering friendships that will last beyond the words on a page.

During these most recent holidays, I have been inspired to start reading the books shortlisted for the 2023 Miles Franklin Award. It has been an interesting experience so far, as it has pushed me towards authors and subject matter that may not have been normally on my radar. The first book that I have engaged with is Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran, about an Australian nursing home and the stories of its diverse residents. It's confronting at times, but again challenging in terms of my understanding of others and the history that they bring with them.

One of the most significant legacies I can imagine having in my career is sharing the gift of reading with others. Watching a young person develop as a reader is quite simply a form of magic, and, as any great magician knows, there is plenty happening prior and behind the scenes to allow this to happen.

WHAT DO GOOD READERS DO?

To read, one must master two main concepts – word recognition and language comprehension (NSW Department of Education, 2023). When first learning to read, word recognition dominates. Word recognition incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, and word memory. Phonemic awareness is the ability to understand how words sound and are spoken. Nursery rhymes, familiar stories, and hearing and using words in an interactive way are vital to developing this skill. Over the years, this is a skill that teachers have seen in decline. Screens for the passive entertainment of young children combined with fewer one-to-one conversations with interested adults have a part to play (UNSW, 2019). In the early years, children can be like sponges, and it is here that readers can be nurtured. Talking with your child, modelling correct speech and vocabulary, playing games, introducing rhymes, explaining how the world works, and reading quality picture books all assist in developing this foundational skill. The repetition of words and familiarity with texts, and the positive feelings surrounding reading are key.

At the College, we believe that it is the teacher’s role to explicitly teach reading, so we use a highly regarded synthetic program in the Early Years to ensure boys have the secure letter-sound understanding to unlock the code for reading. Success is key, and getting this correct in Prep through to Year 2 provides the foundation for how boys see themselves as readers. If this one gift can be given during the Early Years, it can provide a strong foundational base for the years of study ahead, including how students perceive themselves as learners in general.

Language comprehension is the second major strand for skilled readers. Background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, reasoning, and literacy knowledge are all elements of this factor. If we were to imagine reading as a continuum from Early to Advanced, then language comprehension, while present consistently, becomes the more prominent element of reading as a student matures into Independent and Advanced reading. Parents have a vital role to play throughout a reader’s journey into the upper Junior, Middle, and Senior years in helping to develop these skills. Using sophisticated vocabulary that creates links between what is known and what is being learned provides hooks for the brain to strengthen neural pathways. While beginning readers can often comprehend the literal information from the text, having a broad understanding of the world developed from discussion, reading, and

experiences allows more independent and advanced readers to develop inferential comprehension. This includes looking beyond the written text, investigating the author’s message, and linking this to the world around them. For the development of critical thinking, this skill is key and relevant to all subjects and stages of life (Australian Education Research Organisation, 2023).

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO SUPPORT THEIR SON AS A READER?

As a teacher, it becomes obvious when reading the work of students which boys have read broadly. Overall, they have a stronger turn of phrase, a more sophisticated vocabulary, and an ability to express their ideas more effectively. They can link their ideas to broader understandings and critically engage with concepts. Reading can take many forms, and as a child’s first teacher, parents have an important role to play in exposing children to words that make them think and grow.

REFERENCES

Australian Education Research Organisation. (2023, July 2). The Science of Reading. Retrieved from https://www.edresearch.edu.au/resources/introductionscience-reading

First Steps. (NA). Parents as Partners. Western Australia: Education Department of Western Australia.

NSW Department of Education. (2023, June). Scarborough's Reading Rope. Retrieved from https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/ curriculum/literacy-and-numeracy/teaching-and-learningresources/literacy/effective-reading-in-the-early-years-ofschool/comprehension

UNSW. (2019, November 11). The first generations of 'digi kids' are struggling with literacy as experts warn against screen time. Retrieved from https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/first-generations-digi-kids-arestruggling-literacy-experts-warn-against-screen-time

FROM THE HEAD OF STUDENT WELLBEING MR SCOTT MURPHY

The pastoral care of our students is paramount to everything we aim to achieve as a school.Understanding how our cognitive,emotional,social,physical,and spiritual wellbeing is all interconnected is an important part of our philosophy.Addressing the holistic wellbeing of our students is imperative as it incorporates a sequential,age-appropriate,and developmental program to build our students’social,emotional,and personal development.

Mentor Groups in the Middle and Senior Schools and the pastoral care staff throughout the Junior School aim to create a safe and inclusive environment where students are valued and respected. Pastoral care at BBC aims to build a sense of belonging in all our students, as this is imperative to their overall wellbeing and academic success. Through positive psychology and a myriad of resources, we aim to prepare students for the road ahead. Our program addresses mental health, coping academically, social pressures, making choices, neuroplasticity of the brain, confidence through competence, and building personal capacity through service opportunities and leadership.

According to Smith (2021), a thorough mental health education is imperative to empowering students to understand, address, and prioritise their own wellbeing. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to foster resilience, promote self-care, and seek the appropriate support when necessary. Collectively as a school, we aim to reduce the stigma of mental health, promote awareness, and provide practical tools for navigating challenges. Our pastoral care becomes an impetus for building a society that values and prioritises wellbeing. As we educate and build a collective understanding, we create a community that positively impacts families and society as a whole.

Our Tartan+ Wellbeing program equips our students with the essential skills needed to thrive in life, such as self-advocacy, conflict resolution, empathy, and the ability to collaborate

effectively. We continually develop and tailor our programs based on the belief that we are always working towards being the best version of ourselves. This includes reflecting on our emotions and experiences, the activities we engage in, significant relationships, our health, our accomplishments, and our contribution to society.

In endeavouring to build the long-term wellbeing of all BBC students, we continue to cultivate our interventions and intentional wellbeing practices, which help students cope with life challenges and allow them to thrive as individuals.

Student Leadership

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

- John F. Kennedy

BBC students develop their leadership capacity and skills throughout their time at school, starting from the Early Years and culminating in Year 12 when they have the opportunity to become Prefects. The College's new student leadership approach, commencing with the class of 2024, includes fifteen Prefects, eleven House Prefects (two for Rudd House), two Vice Captains, and one College Captain. The Prefect groups have seven specific areas of focus and direction for the year, which involve assistance from students in Years 7 to 12 as well as a lead teacher to support each focused initiative. All Prefects have responsibilities such as facilitating

discussion groups, demonstrating exemplary behaviour, and implementing various initiatives and events that enhance the overall College experience and raise awareness that benefits the broader community. At the core of this approach is a moral commitment to engaging boys from all year levels, ensuring that every BBC student feels a strong sense of belonging and connection. This semester, we have seen a greater awareness of mental health through the Push-Up Challenge, the reintroduction of Peer Mentoring across all sub-schools, and, finally, greater inclusion in the Middle and Senior Schools, which was clear and evident in the way our students supported each other through the tragic passing of Mr Bell.

International Women’s Day

Led by our Prefects, BBC celebrated International Women’s Day. This was a whole-school initiative where students watched a video created by student leaders and then wrote cards to significant women in their lives sharing their love and appreciation. The day was to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution, resilience, and achievements of women globally and particularly those of the women in our immediate community. Our Prefects shared and acknowledged the huge amount of work still required to end discrimination but also showed ways in which we can make positive change. The initiative provided the whole student population with an opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by women and our collective effort to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Turkey/Syria Earthquake

Following the devastating and powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rocked large areas of Turkey and neighbouring Syria, killing more than 42,000 people and injuring more than a hundred thousand, our Social Action Prefects, along with students from Amnesty International, immediately sprung to action to raise money and awareness for the disaster. Throughout the term, they sold goods at different events, all with the aim of making a difference to those immediately impacted. All money raised was donated to Emergency Action Alliance, which is made up of 15 Australian-based member charities and uses its reach and resources to save lives around the world.

Year 11 Leadership Forum

At the end of Semester 1, Year 11 students were invited to the PMSA Youth Leaders’ Forum. The Forum is an initiative by the PMSA that brings together our next cohort of leaders from each of the four PMSA schools for a keynote address from unique individuals. In past years this has included notable Australians such as Noel Pearson. This year, the students were treated to an evening with Lucas Patchett and Nic Marchesi, the co-founders of Orange Sky Laundry. Orange Sky is a nonprofit organisation that provides a platform for everyday Australians to connect through a regular laundry and shower service. Throughout the evening, Lucas and Nic were able to share their inspirational story regarding the evolution from their initial concept through to implementation. Their dynamic presentation engaged the students from beginning to end and centred around a key message – the power of conversations.

P.A.R.T.Y. (Year 10)

The P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) Program is an educational yet exciting full-day excursion to The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital designed to educate teenagers about trauma and the potential injury-prone situations that adolescents may find themselves in. The program lets teenagers learn to recognise these dangerous situations, avoid them, and adopt a mindset that prevents these traumatic experiences from occurring in the first place. Some of the activities held throughout the day included meeting emergency health professionals and doctors, visiting the Intensive Care Unit, and chatting with a trauma survivor. Fortunately, BBC had the opportunity to take 22 boys from Year 10 to experience this program.

Interhouse Competition

Interhouse competition has a long history at BBC and plays a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging. It intuitively builds camaraderie, teamwork, and a sense of fun and adds to a healthy rivalry among our ten Houses in the Middle and Senior Schools, as well as the four Houses within the Junior School. The competitions and activities that are organised by our Heads of House and House Prefects to promote a competitive spirit vary greatly in type to incorporate greater inclusivity. These activities provide a platform for individuals and Houses to showcase their talents in various fields, including academics, sports, and the arts. Across all schools this semester, we have seen interhouse contests centred on tug-of-war, War Cries, spirit rallies, painting, and choral performances. These important and fun competitions also help in developing the leadership qualities of our Prefects and building a sense of brotherhood and pride in a boy’s House. Most importantly, they create and add to a long list of memories, all in the name of House spirit while competing for the Interhouse Shield.

PMSA Captains’ Lunch

The PMSA Captains’ Lunch served as a platform for bringing together the Captains and Vice Captains from all four PMSA Schools. The main objective of this event was to foster stronger connections among the leaders of these schools. The lunch provided an excellent opportunity for the captaincy groups to share and compare their goals, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and discuss successful and unsuccessful practices implemented in their respective schools. As a result, the event strengthened the connections between the schools and initiated further discussions and planning for potential school socials and other significant initiatives aimed at enhancing interpersonal connections in future years. This lunch proved highly beneficial for all Captains and Heads of each school, and it is expected to continue facilitating opportunities for growth and collaboration between the schools in the future.

BBC AND HIGHER STUDY

After recently meeting with representatives from The University of Queensland (UQ), we were pleased to learn some interesting statistics about our recent graduates. In 2020 the percentage of Brisbane Boys' College graduates who stayed with their original program in their commencement year at UQ was 92.9 percent (compared to an average of 80.9 percent among students from 16 feeder schools). The percentage of former BBC students who changed programs and fields of education was only 1.8 (as opposed to an average of 8.6 percent). These statistics were reflected in previous years’ data as well. In addition, three years of data showed BBC students hitting well above the norm with their Grade Point Averages (GPAs), averaging a 5.15 GPA in 2021 compared to an average of 4.85.

According to UQ, this was very much the exception as compared with other state, Catholic, independent, and GPS schools. Their advice after presenting this information was to keep doing what we are doing. In an environment of uncertainty, this unsolicited statistic gave us reason to reflect on what it is that we do to ensure that our boys know themselves well enough to be confident in staying the course of their post-schooling studies.

A Depth and Breadth to What Is Learned

Research in educational psychology demonstrates that students’ prior knowledge can directly impact their learning in class. For example, learners who have more extensive K-12 academic preparation tend to have greater academic success in college.

- Yale Poorvu Centre for Teaching and Learning, 2017

The majority of families interviewed about coming to Brisbane Boys’ College identify academic reputation as the main reason for their enrolment. High standards, quality teachers, and extensive curriculum offerings ensure that boys can learn at their best and pursue their passions. While some schools narrow their subject offerings, we have ensured over time that boys have the opportunities that they require to thrive. We believe in a well-rounded education, so English and Mathematics are compulsory throughout the educational journey. This is complemented by a selection of subjects that are piloted in the Junior and Middle Schools and refined as boys reach the Senior Years. Each stage of learning is carefully crafted to ensure that choices are refined throughout the journey.

We also listen to what our boys want to study and try to respond to this. The most popular field of study university students from the College engage in is Business. Over time, we have built this further into our Junior and Middle School offerings through Humanities, and our Introduction to Commerce course in Year 10 is always very popular. Excitingly, this year we will have the opportunity for students to apply to be selected for a Student Entrepreneurship Weekend program from the Aussie Founders Network. Each learning area holds the opportunity for students to engage and learn to extend their passions beyond the classroom. We have Senior courses ranging from Physics to Engineering to Music Extension to Furniture Making to Literature and English Extension – there is something for every boy to learn and conquer. Students have the opportunity to try, explore, and develop skills and refine learning to aim for mastery.

There is no doubt that the best way to build students’ credentials or to help them make an informed choice about a future career is to increase their opportunities to take part in experiential learning opportunities.

-

Mintz, 2019

A broad variety of curriculum offerings is complemented by our co-curricular opportunities, which allow boys to investigate what they love to do and, equally as important, what they don’t. When interviewing new students, they are encouraged to try as many options as appeal to them. They are extremely privileged to have the opportunity to compete at the highest levels – just consider the recent trips to Nova Scotia by the Pipe Band, Henley by our rowers, and Bordeaux by our robotics teams, for example. No matter the interest, there is always a team to suit, even if it is simply to try something for the first time. The young gentlemen in our care are not only exploring their options through co-curricular pursuits; they are also learning essential human skills (such as creativity, communication, and critical thinking) and a mastery of learning that can translate into university studies. Our robotics students are a great example of this. Many of the Old Collegians who come back as coaches and mentors are currently studying in this field, with many reporting that the learning they have had from their competition days at BBC has allowed them to compete comparably with secondand third-year university students during their first year at university.

Planning For Success

[Researchers have] found developing ambitious occupational plans are important for young people, with a strong relationship found between holding these plans and occupying a professional or managerial job by age 25.

- Sophie Keele, 2020

A key component in the success of Old Collegians at university is the Senior Education and Training Planning process. Year 10 students are in the midst of this tradition as we go to print. Students meet with their families and with a senior staff member to discuss possible pathways in order to achieve what they would like to do following their time at the College. While many don’t necessarily know their specific destination at this time, this conversation is vital in guiding families through the options available to access international and Australian universities, Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, or other options. With the recent changes in senior schooling studies in Queensland, this process helps to lower the impact of needing to change subjects during Years 11 and 12, which can potentially impact a student achieving their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). It makes sure that students reflect on what they are good at, what they have had success with, and what they need to consider to achieve their end goals.

Alongside this process, as students reach the critical point of selecting senior subjects, they are offered other opportunities to consider careers. These are many and varied but include university visits, incursions by university students so that the boys can ask questions and hear about what different careers involve, engagement with Morrisby Careers testing, and exploring who they are through programs such as Be Confident Week in the final week of Term 3. Visits by students/ recent graduates of different university backgrounds reveal that a HECS-HELP debt for a student who changes courses part way through is significantly larger than that of a student who continued in the same field of study from beginning to end. Given the changes in indexing to HECS-HELP debts, being unsure or changing courses can create an impact that lasts well into the future.

Grounded in Academic Wellbeing

Wellbeing has a significant impact on students’ academic outcomes. Students with a greater level of wellbeing are more likely to experience improved academic outcomes.

- Australian Institute for Teaching and Learning, 2022

Alongside high standards in academics and co-curricular pursuits, having a wellbeing framework through our Tartan+ model plays an important part in preparing our students for the world beyond the College gates. The ability to monitor and teach positive education strategies to students through the vertical House system, combined with the horizontal Year Team Leaders/Mentor system, based in Christian education, provides boys with a very stable platform for self-exploration. It allows for risk-taking in a supportive environment. While this has a positive impact on academic outcomes within the College context, it seems as though the essential human skills explicitly taught through this program have a far-reaching effect on developing the resilience and capacity of students as they engage with their university surroundings.

Why Is This Important?

Students who are best prepared for the future are change agents. They can have a positive impact on their surroundings; influence the future; understand others’ intentions, actions, and feelings; and anticipate the short- and long-term consequences of what they do.

- OECD, 2018

While further research is required to quantify these reflections, it is worth considering the implications of our original premise that Collegians maintained their initial university studies at a level significantly higher than other schools. According to LinkedIn, Australians are likely to have, on average, 13 jobs during their lifetimes. Acknowledging that the nature of work will continue to change and that retraining is likely for most during their career spans, knowing who they are and who they are not is a great place for the young men in our care to start. This provides them with solid foundations to explore options that they have identified during their time at the College through our curriculum, co-curriculum, careerexploring opportunities, and understanding of their wellbeing. Many of our Old Collegians have provided leadership in a myriad of disciplines. We have proven success in supporting their education, and by providing our current students with a multitude of opportunities to learn and thrive, we will continue to inspire and grow the leaders of tomorrow.

References

Australian Institute for Teaching and Learning. (2022, March). Spotlight - Wellbeing in Schools. Retrieved from AITSL: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/research/spotlights/wellbeing-inaustralian-schools#:~:text=Wellbeing%20has%20a%20 significant%20impact,to%20experience%20improved%20 academic%20outcomes.

Mintz, M. R. (2019, November 14). The 8 Steps Institutions Need to Take to Improve Student Success. Retrieved from Inside Higher Ed:

https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/8steps-institutions-need-take-improve-student-success

OECD. (2018). The Future of Education and Skills 2030: The future we want. Paris, France: OECD.

Sophie Keele, R. S.-S. (2020, March 5). Identifying best practice in career education and development in Australian secondary schools. Australian Journal of Career Development, p. V29 Issue 1.

Yale - Poorvu Centre for Teaching and Learning. (2017, NA NA). Building Upon Students’ Prior Knowledge and Skills Retrieved from https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/StudentsPriorKnowledge

CONNECT

FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR

MR IAN MACPHERSON (OC 1979)

The BBC Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support Brisbane Boys’College as it provides a topquality education in a caring environment where every student can thrive.We have continued to build on this mission during the first half of 2023.

The Foundation Board is pleased to confirm the appointment of investment adviser Koda Capital, which now provides guidance and strategy on the Foundation’s investment portfolio. Koda Capital is an independent investment management company specialising in Australian educational institutions. Their investment philosophy of ‘protect and grow’ aligns with the Foundation’s mandate of preserving the funds and endowments under its supervision to guarantee their effective use. Their work with numerous independent schools and universities has provided them with extensive experience in the handling of school endowments, making them a natural fit for BBC’s student-focused emphasis.

Koda’s appointment follows an extensive review process undertaken by the Foundation’s Finance, Investment, Risk, and Audit Subcommittee to ensure the security and longevity of the funds used to provide bursaries, building works, and other services. Thank you to the subcommittee for their work on this review. We look forward to working closely with Koda to continue to ensure the sensible use and management of all donated funds.

The Foundation Board are also thrilled to announce the launch of a new website for the Foundation – bbcgiving.org.au. The introduction of this website will allow us to further facilitate and manage donations from our BBC community across the globe. I invite you to visit the website to learn more about opportunities to donate and further details regarding our funds’ management.

In June, the Foundation announced a new partnership with the Chapel & York United States of America, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong Foundations to accept international donations. This means that members of our BBC community who

currently reside in these countries are now able to support BBC philanthropically and still receive a tax deduction. Further information on donating via each Foundation can be found on our website.

Tuesday, 18 July, saw the official opening of BBC’s Chicri Maksoud Mathematics Laboratory, named in honour of muchloved and much-missed BBC Mathematics teacher Mr Chicri Maksoud. It is thanks to the generous donations from our community during our 2022 End of Financial Year Appeal that we have been able to bring Chicri’s dream of a specialised mathematics precinct to fruition.

This End of Financial Year, the Foundation launched a new campaign to aid the Perpetual Bush Kids Bursary. This bursary, distinct from the regular Bush Kids Bursary and created in collaboration with Old Collegian Mr Alan ‘Charlie’ Robinson (OC 1962), is designed to further develop BBC’s relationship with the bush and country areas and is solely available to boys in rural or remote locations. As part of the appeal, we were honoured to share the story of Mr Mitch Salisbury (OC 2020), a recipient of the Bush Kids Bursary who, through his time at BBC, developed a passion for rowing, music, and singing that he still pursues to this day. On behalf of the Foundation Board, I would like to extend our thanks to all who donated to this appeal to help country boys thrive at BBC.

MEET OUR BBC FOUNDATION DIRECTORS

Ross is an Old Collegian, having attended BBC from 1975 to 1980. Ross is the father of a current Year 9 student in the Middle School.

Ross is Managing Director and Co-Head of Corporate Finance at Ord Minnett, based in Brisbane. Ross commenced at Ord Minnett in 2014 to build out the Corporate Finance business focused on ex-ASX 100 Companies. Today the Ord Minnett Corporate Finance business provides strategic advice, merger and acquisition advice, and financing solutions across the capital structure, including public and private transactions in Australia and New Zealand.

Ross has over 30 years of experience in investment

Richard attended BBC from 1967 to 1972, and his son Tom (OC 2003) was a boarder from 1999 to 2003.

After four years at The University of Queensland, he returned to a family sheep and cattle property at Barcaldine before moving back to Brisbane in 2004. He has reconnected with the school through coaching rowing which he continues to the present day.

Richard believes strongly in civic service and has taken on numerous local community responsibilities. He has held multiple agri-political roles and has served lengthy board terms for:

Andre joined BBC as the College’s tenth Headmaster in 2022. Prior to his appointment at Brisbane Boys’ College, Andre was the Head of the Australian International School (AIS) in Singapore, where he oversaw the strategic direction and growth of this high-performing institution.

banking, providing advice to financial institutions, corporations, and government. Prior to Ord Minnett, Ross was Managing Director and Head of ECM Syndicate Asia-Pacific for UBS and Credit Suisse in Hong Kong and Sydney.

Ross has been instrumental in delivering and executing over 300 successful capital market transactions, including pre-IPO, privatisations, IPOs, follow-ons, and equity-linked products across all Asia-Pacific markets.

Ross’ reputation and conduct exemplify the highest level of integrity and ethics, serving as the core foundation for building enduring stakeholder and business relationships.

• Queensland Board of the Australian Bicentennial Authority

• Arid Zone Research Institute

• Rural Lands Protection Board

Ian is a Brisbane Boys’ College Old Collegian and former 1979 College Captain.

He spent most of his career in global interest rate markets, working in Sydney, London, and Tokyo. Following this, Ian was a private banker for ten years with both Credit Suisse and Macquarie. He now chairs a fintech platform for advisers and is an active investor in the sector.

Andre graduated from the General Management Program at Harvard Business School, and he has a Diploma in Education from the University of Notre Dame Australia and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia. He has previous experience in the Brisbane GPS school environment, being a former Deputy Head of Senior School at Churchie prior to relocating to Singapore.

Ian has been a board member of the BBC Foundation since April 2020 and Elected Chair since July 2021.

His private interests include surfing and skiing.

MR ROSS BAILDON (OC 1980)

Elected Director; Chair of Finance, Investment, Risk, and Audit Subcommittee

MR RICHARD BELL (OC 1972)

Elected Director, Chair of Bisset Gallery Subcommittee

MR ANDRE CASSON Appointed Director, BBC Headmaster

MR IAN MACPHERSON (OC 1979)

Elected Director, Foundation Chair

As a founding member of Consolidated Properties Group, Don has successfully shaped the business over 40 years to its current $2.3 billion development pipeline.

Don is ranked #5 on The Courier-Mail’s 2022 list of QLD’s 60 Most Powerful Property Players and #29 on QLD’s Top 60 Business Power Players.

Don’s current non-executive directorships are with:

• Surfing Australia, as a member of the Financial Audit and Risk Committee (since 2015)

• Reserve Bank of Australia’s Small Business Finance Advisory Panel

Freya is an experienced solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales with a background in employment law and litigation. Since moving to Queensland, Freya has developed a focus and awareness on community-based planning issues within Brisbane to raise the profile of Queensland heritage and associated matters.

Freya is dedicated to ensuring the Foundation is focused on growing our philanthropic culture with an emphasis on consultation and inclusivity within the College community. She is committed to ensuring best practice with corporate governance standards and upholding the high standard of the Foundation. She brings a background of

Vanessa is a past BBC parent, with her son recently graduating in the Class of 2022 after commencing at the College in Prep in 2010. During her time at BBC, Vanessa has been President of the Junior School Support Group and President of the P&F. Vanessa has been the Appointed P&F Representative Director to the Foundation since 2018.

• Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board

• Member, Better Brisbane Alliance Committee, Brisbane Economic Development Agency

• Director of BBC (Brisbane Boys’ College) Foundation Limited

• Chair of BBC (Brisbane Boys’ College) School Council

Don is also a BBC Old Boy boarder finishing in 1977. He has five sons, three of whom still attend the College as both day and boarding students. His youngest is in Year 8.

leadership and mentoring to the College. The Robertson family is a third-generation member of the BBC Clan. Freya is married to Old Boy and King’s Counsel, Mr Mark Robertson (OC 1984). In her spare time, Freya enjoys running, tennis, and golf.

The Taylor family are passionate about the great school that BBC is, and Vanessa is personally committed to continuing the important work that makes this community special.

Vanessa’s mother and daughter are Somerville House Old Girls, and her husband’s uncle is an Old Collegian of the Class of 1957.

MR DON O’RORKE (OC 1977) Appointed Director, BBC College Council Representative Director

MRS FREYA ROBERTSON Elected Director

MRS VANESSA TAYLOR P&F Representative Director

FROM THE OCA PRESIDENT

MR PETER HUNT-SHARP (OC 1991)

On behalf of the Old Collegians’Association (OCA),I would like to thank all our Old Boys who have reached out and reconnected with our association after a quiet few years.We were able to kick off 2023 in a normal fashion without interruptions,and we have continued to strengthen the bond between our Old Boy community and the College.

During our recent Annual General Meeting held in February, we bid farewell to two valued members of the OCA Executive Committee: Mr Grant Rynne (OC 2000) and Mr Cam Wallace (OC 2012). Their effort and commitment have significantly enriched our community, and we appreciate the time and passion they have invested in these roles.

I congratulate the following elected members of the OCA Executive Committee:

Vice President

• Mr Jonathan Morrow (OC 1995)

Executive Committee Members

• Mr James Cameron (OC 1993)

• Mr Murray McNaught (OC 1992)

• Mr Peter White (OC 2013)

• Mr Glen Wright (OC 2008)

• Mr Joel Packer (OC 1994)

• Mr Peter Nielsen (OC 1981)

• Mr Graham Sagar (OC 1969) – Vintage Collegians Representative

• Mr Mitchell Gr immond (OC 2015) – Young Old Collegians Representative

We are pleased to have managed a very successful first half of the year.

To kick things off, we celebrated with our traditional OCA

President’s Drinks, which saw many Old Boys gather for a fantastic evening. Each year, we conduct a five-year reunion, and we’re especially excited to encourage our younger alumni to join us, reconnect with their fellow classmates, and meet Old Boys in our wider community.

We provided an exciting opportunity for young Old Boys starting university this year by organising tours at The University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology. These tours offered a comprehensive experience, showcasing key locations and providing valuable tips and tricks to navigate the exciting journey into university life. Additionally, we hosted a fun-filled Young Old Boys’ Rugby Evening at the Port Office Hotel, aiming to inspire our younger alumni to actively participate and engage with the OCA.

We hosted two incredibly successful Networking Breakfasts focused on the compelling subjects of Property and Cyber Security. These events were nothing short of amazing, as our panel speakers provided expert insights and our audience engaged in captivating discussions. The combination of expert commentary and lively audience participation created an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. It was an absolute triumph!

We recently hosted an incredibly successful reunion in Sydney, bringing together Old Boys who reside in or were visiting the city. Our Sydney Reunion surpassed all expectations, providing an incredible opportunity for us to reconnect.

Our esteemed Vintage Collegians enjoyed two delightful lunches that brought us all together. One was held inland in Toowoomba, while the other took place seaside in Caloundra.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

BBC Babies

BBC Weddings

George Sheppard (OC 2004) married his wife Kathleen on 13 April 2023.

George, the lead vocalist in the ARIA Awardwinning band Sheppard, recalls, “I wrote the love of my life, Kathleen, a song for our wedding day called Feels Like Home. Paired with footage from the wedding as an official video clip, it’s a very special memento that we have to look back on and remember an incredibly beautiful time in our lives.”

Len Ikitau (OC 2016), former BBC First XV player and current player for the Wallabies, welcomed the birth of his son Lennox. BBC looks forward to seeing baby Lennox follow in his father’s footsteps on Miskin Oval.

Tim Drury (OC 2014) and Kate Pini were married by Reverend Graham Cole on 3 March 2023 in a lovely ceremony conducted at Tim’s family property, Condabri, near Miles.

Graham Packer (OC 1963)

VALE

Mr Ian Victor Olsson (OC 1960)

Mr Geoff Thams (OC 1966)

Mr Robert Peter Green (OC 1970)

Mr Mark Gilbank (OC 1985)

STAY IN TOUCH

www.facebook.com/ BrisbaneBoysCollege OldCollegiansAssociation

@bbc_old_collegians_assoc

It was with great sadness that the school community learnt of the passing of Mr Graham Packer on 18 April 2023. The Packers are a close and supportive family, both of each other and of their extended multigenerational BBC family.

Brisbane Boys’ College Old Collegians’ Association

Graham worked closely with his older brother, Lindsay (OC 1961), in helping to establish a worldwide reputation in sporting, fashion, and luxury leather goods. In the 1980s, when Graham was creating the company’s overseas markets, the merits of kangaroo leather were first appreciated by the founder of Adidas as excellent football-shoe-making material, as it produced the strongest weight-per-weight ratio.

COMMUNITY ACTIVATION PARTNER

Mrs Tanya Bester 07 3309 3526 | tbester@bbc.qld.edu.au

Today, Packer Leather supplies 70 percent of the major international quality specialist footwear brands, including Adidas, Nike, and ASICS, cultivating a market niche as specialists in kangaroo leather. Early successes were established in the United States, Britain, and Germany, followed by an expansion to Asia in countries including Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Update your details

www.oldcollegians.com.au/stay-in-touch

As a leader in high-tech processing, the company supplies consistent quality leather to the fashion market in diverse production areas such as luxury car interiors and aviation seating, fire-retardant gloves used by emergency services, and Grand Prix motorcyclists’ leathers. The Narangba tannery is a supplier to local and interstate companies, namely R.M. Williams, Akubra Hats, and Kookaburra Sport, whose cricket balls and Sherrin AFL footballs necessitate a lengthier, more traditional approach to creating superior cowhide leather.

Community is about connection, so we invite you to share any announcements about yourself or fellow Old Collegians. Announcements may include interest stories, notable achievements, marriages, births, or vale notices.

Please email the details to our BBC Alumni Office at oca@bbc.qld.edu

Graham was a man of strong faith, which permeated his life. He was a board member at Citipointe Christian College and Christian Heritage College. These positions were ones of pride. Coupling his personal ethos with the traditions of the family business, Graham lived his belief, saying, “Our business is not just about profits. Equally, it is about the work ethic – our commitment is to something we have faith in.”

Helen Jackson Archivist

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

HUGH O’DONNELL (OC 2022)

Join us in congratulating Mr Hugh O’Donnell (OC 2022), who has recently been awarded the distinguished TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship for 2023!

Hugh is one of only ten students in Queensland to receive this honour. The criteria for this scholarship state that it is only distributed to students “who display great academic excellence and lead with distinction in their school and local community.”

Well done, Hugh – a worthy recipient indeed!

BAILEY PAGE (OC 2018)

Congratulations to BBC Old Boy Mr Bailey Page (OC 2018), who has won the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Entrepreneurship Award at the 2023 Queensland 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards.

Bailey has distinguished himself as an inventor and businessman, founding ZipZap Chargers shortly after graduating from BBC. The company, for which Bailey also serves as Director, produces a cutting-edge cordless portable charger compatible with iPhones, AirPods, and iPads.

Bailey says, “To think an idea I created from my bedroom is now receiving state recognition leaves me absolutely speechless and with so much gratitude.”

Keep up the good work, Bailey!

JACOB WHITE (OC 2016)

Join us in congratulating Mr Jacob White (OC 2016), who has been selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of Quad Fellows. The Quad Fellowship is a brand-new initiative of the Australian, Indian, Japanese, and American governments intended to foster international ties among scientists and technologists. Jacob journeyed to Washington, DC, for the announcement, where he and the other Quad Fellows were hosted by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

This a fantastic development for Jacob, who moved to America to pursue his research as a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist. He’s currently studying how songbirds master songs to better understand how the brain handles complex behaviours. It is his hope that this research will help lead to a greater understanding of neurological diseases.

Congratulations, Jacob - we are all very proud!

HONOURS LIST

Mr Neil Kendall (OC 1981) has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to the financial planning profession, which have earned him the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Through his work at Tupicoffs, a thriving financial advice practice in Brisbane, Neil has been a force to reckon with. His accomplishments include winning at the Value of Advice awards, being named Money Management’s Financial Planner of the Year, earning a spot in Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisers, and repeatedly qualifying in the Masterclass Top 50.

Beyond his professional achievements, Neil’s compassionate nature shines through. In 2012, he founded Financial Rescue, an organisation aimed at assisting victims of financial fraud in recovering their losses.

Please join us in congratulating Neil on this well-deserved recognition. His commitment to excellence and his dedication to his profession are truly inspiring!

TIMOTHY MEDHURST OAM

Mr Timothy Medhurst (OC 1975) was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List for his sterling service to the community.

Since graduating from BBC, Tim has built a storied career for himself in both the property and not-for-profit sectors. He's currently the owner of Medhurst Consulting and a Director of South Developments, and over the years, he's built his reputation with a range of joint venture projects. Currently, Tim is overseeing the rebuilding of Binna Burra Lodge, which was destroyed in the 2019 bushfires. He even worked as a glaciologist in Antarctica for three years in the 1980s. What a career!

Tim has also played pivotal roles in a variety of community groups focused on helping young people reach their potential, including Outward Bound Australia and International, the Ethos Foundation, the Youth Enterprise Trust, and the Home of Expressive Arts and Learning (HEAL) Foundation. Well done, Tim. This is a much-deserved honour.

Dr Geoffrey Wilson (OC 1987) has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the King's Birthday 2023 Honours List for his unwavering dedication to the community through charitable organisations. Known for his adventurous spirit, Geoff has undertaken numerous fundraising expeditions, including a solo crossing of Antarctica from 2019 to 2020 in support of the McGrath Foundation.

In 2016, Dr Wilson further showcased his passion for making a difference by establishing VetLove, a group of veterinary clinics with seven locations across Queensland and New South Wales.

In 2022, Geoff was honoured with the Australian Geographic Society's prestigious Lifetime of Adventure Award, recognising his extraordinary pursuit of exploration and his contributions to the world. Additionally, in 2015, he was rightfully named the Gold Coast Citizen of the Year, a testament to his remarkable impact on his local community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr Geoff Wilson for his selflessness, adventurous spirit, and unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

Please help us update our Honours List.

If you know of an Old Collegian who doesn’t appear on our Honours lists, please advise College Archivist Helen Jackson at (07) 3309 3629 or by emailing archives@bbc.qld.edu.au

https://oldcollegians.com.au/old-boys-honours-list/

NEIL KENDALL OAM

GEOFFREY WILSON AM

SEMESTER 1 OCA EVENTS SNAPSHOTS

CLASS OF 2003 REUNION

CLASS OF 2013 REUNION

CYBER SECURITY NETWORKING BREAKFAST

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We loved visiting Old Collegians in Sydney this year and we're looking forward to connecting with, and bringing together, any Old Collegians living, residing, or visting Melbourne next year.

SYDNEY REUNION

VINTAGE COLLEGIAN LUNCH CALOUNDRA

VINTAGE COLLEGIAN LUNCH TOOWOOMBA

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HOSTED BY THE OLD COLLEGIANS' ASSOCIATION

September 01

November 03 23

2023 BBC OCA LONG LUNCH

2023 BBC OCA GOLF DAY VINTAGE COLLEGIANS’ END OF YEAR LUNCH

Dates are correct at the time of printing, however, may be subject to change.

Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date with the BBC Alumni Office.

You can do this by visiting stay-in-touch page of the OCA website or emailing oca@bbc.qld.edu.au

ARE YOU A BBC VINTAGE COLLEGIAN?

A Vintage Collegian is a BBC Old Boy who left the school more than 42 years ago. If you graduated in 1981 or earlier, we’d be thrilled to welcome you to our Vintage Collegians Network.

Members of this group assist with the BBC archives and historical publications and connect with current students, formally addressing classes across the College and sharing their own experiences from their time at the school. All Vintage Collegians are welcomed back to the College for a morning tea on the first Tuesday of every month. For those of you who have yet to attend, it is a very informal, social get-together of Old Collegians who would like to stay connected to the College and to one another. These meetings begin at 10:00am and end around 11:30am

In addition to these meetings, we also enjoy lunch with our Vintage Collegians four times a year in various locations in and around Brisbane. The date and location for the final event of 2023 is:

• Thursday, 23 November 2023 - Brisbane Boys’ College

Joining the Vintage Collegians Network gives you the opportunity to stay in touch with friends and stay connected to our great school.

To make sure you don’t miss out on any of our future meetings and events, please make sure to provide current contact details at www.bbc.qld.edu.au/community/old-collegians-association/stay-in-touch/

OLD BOYS, HAVE YOU SIGNED UP TO THE OCA PORTAL?

The Portal is a web-based platform hosted and maintained by the OCA that will give all our BBC Old Boys the opportunity to network and connect. Signing up is easy, with our private LinkedIn API ensuring that your data stays up to date. The OCA Portal is specifically designed to best serve our valued Old Boys. Boasting a suite of terrific features, the OCA Portal will strengthen the bond that BBC fosters among everyone who walks through its doors.

OCA PORTAL

THE FEATURES OF OCA PORTAL INCLUDE:

OCA PORTAL

CONNECT

Find and reminisce with fellow BBC Old Boys, see what they’ve been up to, and stay in touch.

RECONNECT WITH OLD CLASSMATES

The OCA Portal allows you to reconnect with old classmates and utilise the trusted Old Collegians community to expand your professional network.

GIVE BACK

Introduce, employ, and mentor our graduating students and young Old Collegians.

EASY REGISTRATION WITH LINKEDIN

Our private LinkedIn API ensures that your data stays safe, secure, and up-to-date.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Leverage your professional network and connect with others in your industry.

JOB BOARD

Recruit from a vast pool of talent by posting job listings to the OCA Portal’s job board.

EVENTS

College, Foundation, and Alumni events can be managed and promoted within the Portal. It can also be used to manage registrations.

Help Us Keep the History of BBC Alive

Moving, lifestyle changes, and downsizing all mean sorting, making piles, re-sorting, and making more piles, followed by a trip to the tip. If you are in such a situation, please don’t dispense with reminders of your BBC journey. Rather, consider donating them to the Brisbane Boys’ College Archives.

To further authenticate and enlarge the collection, the Archives are always happy to receive new contributions, namely photographs, uniforms, magazines, and memorabilia that were part of your time at BBC. Ephemera, by its very nature, is short-lived, but such things as programs, circulars, reports, dockets, and newspaper cuttings are extremely important as they reflect the era and document the changing flavours of the decades. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your precious photos, I am very happy to scan them and return them immediately.

As the College Archivist, it is my job to conserve, preserve, research, catalogue, and make available the resources of the Archives, which are the collective and historical memory of Brisbane Boys’ College.

Helen Jackson Archivist

LIMITED TIME ENROLMENT OFFER FOR OLD BOYS

We are excited to announce a new Enrolment Offer exclusively for our BBC Old Boys in 2023!

While the normal application fee is $515, we’re pleased to offer our alumni a rate of only $121 when submitting an enrolment application in 2023, our school’s 121st year. We’re happy to confirm that this offer is also valid for any Old Boys applying for their sons to be accepted as international students.

This offer is effective from the start of Term 1, 2023, and applies to boys aged five or under. It is only valid for this calendar year, so we encourage all Old Boys to register their child, grandchild, or dependant as soon as possible to secure a placement and continue their legacy at BBC.

The heritage and traditions of Brisbane Boys’ College

are born from a shared history and culture that no other school can match, and you have played a big part in that as a student and as an Old Collegian. We would be thrilled to have you join us as we write the next chapter of the BBC story.

Please use the discount code BBCOCA to apply your discount.