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SEQUAMUR SOCIETY
SEQUAMUR SOCIETY TOP Don and Jill Cameron
The Sequamur Society was established to honour and thank those members of the Brighton Grammar School Community who have confirmed their intention to include BGS in their Will.
CEntre L to R Tim Marshall, Roger Wilson OAM, Michael Talbot
Old Boys championing our Sequamur Society Andy McGuigan (OB 1939) Andy McGuigan, born in 1932 attended BGS from 1938 to 1948 under three Headmasters – Dixon, Green and Wilson. Whilst his father was in the navy, Andy boarded from 1942-44. One of Andy’s most cherished memories was captaining the 1948 BGS Premiership Swimming Team despite competing against Haileybury’s John Marshall who became an Olympic champion. Other highlights were playing the First XVIII, being a member of the Aths team, and digging war-time trenches on the Crowther Oval. On leaving school, Andy joined the accounting firm of ‘McGuigan and Court’ along with fellow old boys Ian Gibson and Gerald Hutchinson. In 1954 Canon Wilson married Andy and Eleanor Fry in St Andrew's. After several years working in Wangaratta, Andy joined COR/BP as Area Manager in Bendigo before being posted to Melbourne as Marketing and Training Manager. On retirement, Andy studied business at Monash and established a consulting business; at the same time he and Eleanor set up a ‘hobby’ antique business. Sadly Eleanor died in May 2007. Andy, always community minded, has been a member of Apex, Rotary, various kindergarten and school committees, sporting and environmental groups and was a foundation member of our BGS ‘Top Enders’. Andy now lives in Mt Martha, plays competition table tennis skippered by his best school-boy friend of 70 years, Jim Macfarlane. Andy is pleased to make a bequest to BGS in recognition for his long and splendid association with the school. In Andy’s words, “It’s been a great journey!”
Colonel Lachlan (Lachie) Thomson AM Lachie Thomson was born in Finley, NSW. He grew up on the family property, Onepah Station, in the far north-west of NSW. At age 10 he entered the boarding house at BGS (1945-51). He played cricket and football for the School and was President of the Rostrum (debating) Club. On leaving BGS, Lachie entered the Royal Military College at Duntroon and in 1955 was commissioned into the Royal Australian Artillery. His Army service included appointments as Aide De Corp to the Governor of Queensland, Staff Officer to the Chief Military Planning Officer at SEATO Headquarters, Bangkok and in 1969 he commanded 105 Field Battery in Vietnam where he was Mentioned-in-Despatches for distinguished service on operations. In his later career, Lachie became a Thailand specialist. An A Grade Interpreter/Translator, he spent almost 15 years in that country and in 1988 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to Australian/Thai relations. After two tours as Australian Defence Attache to Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), he retired in 1990 and settled in Brisbane. Lachie and his American wife, Pat, whom he met in Thailand, have three grown-up children. As a youngster from the bush, suddenly thrust into the “big smoke,” Lachie has often said that whatever he has managed to achieve in his life is due in large measure to his time at BGS. He acknowledges his debt to the school for the wonderful start it gave him.
Celebrating the vision of Jack Wehsack, Richard ParsonS, and Frank and Dorothy Brown
Lower L to R Heather Arendsen, Ken and Elizabeth Pearce
To bequest or not to bequest, that is the question! My first thought when hearing of the establishment of the Sequamur Society was, ‘that’s a great initiative for older OBGS members!’ After all, I was yet to turn 30 and the notion of creating a will and thinking seriously about a division of my assets seemed achingly foreign. As the son of an Old Boy and member of staff for 28 years, and having attended the School alongside my brother, naturally my deep-seeded roots at the school plays a part in my bequest. But the truth behind my decision lies in my belief in the ‘product’ that is Brighton Grammar School. Now a teacher in the Middle School, and regardless of how long I continue to teach at Brighton Grammar School, it will always be a school that I believe in as I have seen first-hand the effect it can have in the lives of young men. Unless I win Tattslotto in coming years (fingers crossed!), my contribution won’t be enough to erect a new building or purchase a parcel of land, but it is a contribution. This is something that sits very comfortably with me as I continue to see boys prosper at the School. Tim Marshall
Annual Cocktail party In March, members of the Sequamur Society and guests enjoyed the ambiance of the School Library for this year’s annual Cocktail Party. During the evening, Chairman of Council, Ian Paroissien, outlined the progress and the teaching strategies to be adopted in the new Middle School, while Monty Stephens gave a most interesting presentation related to the School’s architectural history. Two new members were officially welcomed – Nan Stretton, mother of Geoff (OB 75) and John (OB 78), and former staff member John Arrowsmith.
Sequamur Society members at the 'Top Enders' Lunch LEFT L to R Peter Toms, Keith Robinson, Jim Begg, Wells Eden, Roger Wilson OAM and Andy McGuigan
Frank ‘Sarge’ Brown, the legendary PE teacher, was a strong disciplinarian yet revered father figure to many. Sarge taught at BGS from 1929 to 1947, but belonged to BGS until his death in 1972. Sarge’s dream was to establish a bursary to enable boys to remain at BGS despite their family suffering unexpected financial hardship. For our boys who have benefitted from ‘The Frank and Dorothy Brown Scholarship’, Sarge is a cherished reality. Old Boy Jack Wehsack’s vision was to provide a scholarship to enable teachers to undertake interstate and overseas research the teaching and learning of boys. Over the past seven years, Jack’s bequest has enabled staff to attend and present at conferences throughout Australia and in Sweden, USA, South Africa, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The knowledge and experience gained at these conferences has enriched the education of our boys. Richard Parsons, BGS Dux 1954, was a man with a deep faith and strong community spirit. A former pharmacist, member of the Army Reserve, distinguished yachtsman and devoted parishioner of the Ballarat Cathedral. Richard’s bequest, directed to our Building Fund, has significantly contributed to the reality of our exciting Middle School complex. Are you interested in turning your dream into a reality? Contact Peter Toms at the BGS Development Office 8951 2274, ptoms@brightongrammar.vic.edu.au
OBGS Reunion calendar 2013/2014 Please mark these dates in your diary now for your Class Reunions to be held in the second half of 2013 and the first half of 2014. Invitations are mailed approximately 6 weeks prior to the reunion. REUNION
FUNCTION VENUE
DATE
15 Year Class of 1998
Dinner
Centenary Hall
26 July
20 Year Class of 1993
Dinner
Centenary Hall
2 Aug
Hobart APS Reunion
Cocktails
Hutchins School
21 Aug
Launceston APS Reunion Cocktails
Launceston Church GS 22 Aug
25 Year Class of 1988
Dinner
Centenary Hall
23 Aug
Top Enders
Lunch
Marine Hotel
29 Aug
Sydney Reunion
Cocktails
TBA
6 Sept
Brisbane Reunion
Lunch
TBA
7 Sep
40 Year Class of 1973
Dinner
Centenary Hall
11 Oct
50 Years On
Lunch
Centenary Hall
29 Nov
Top Enders Christmas
Lunch
Marine Hotel
12 Dec
2014 (Indicative dates) 60 Years On Pendennis Chapter
Morning Tea
Memorial Foyer
14 Feb
First Reunion Class of 2013
Happy Hour
Marine Hotel
21 Feb
30 Year Class of 1984
Dinner
Centenary Hall
28 Feb
Meliora Club
Dinner
Centenary Hall
18 Mar*
Top Enders
Lunch
Marine Hotel
24 April 23 May
10 Year Class of 2004
Cocktails
Centenary Hall
5 Year Class of 2009
Happy Hour
Marine Hotel
30 May
Top Enders
Lunch
Marine Hotel
26 June *TBA
NOTICE OF OBGS SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Old Brighton Grammarians’ Society Incorporated will hold a Special General Meeting to consider changes to the Constitution of the Society in order that it complies with the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic). The meeting will be held at Brighton Grammar School on Monday, 7 October, 2013 at 6pm in the Hay Family Lecture Theatre.
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