Obituaries

SYDNEY (SYD) GARDNER

(at TGS 1947-50)

Syd was born in Ingham on 19 November 1932 and commenced at Toowoomba Grammar School in 1947. He absolutely loved his school days, and all that TGS offered. According to his daughter, he had very fond memories of his time here. He was heavily involved with the TGSOBA and loved the reunion events.

Syd had his National Service deferred until 1954 and completed a pharmacy course in Brisbane, registering to practise in 1955. He returned home to Ingham soon after to run his recently deceased father’s pharmacy before retiring in 1984. He was President of both the State and Federal Pharmacy Student Organisation and co-editor of “The Draught”, which the University of Queensland published.

Syd married Patricia Hilary Gent in 1957; he always said it was the best thing he ever did. They had three daughters (sorry TGS, Syd would laugh), all St Margaret’s boarders.

Syd completed his National Service obligations, joining the ‘C’ Coy 31st Battalion, Kennedy Regiment as a private soldier from 1955-72. Syd retired at the rank of Major but continued editing the 31st Battalion Association Bulletin.

He was also involved in numerous community service activities during his life, including as a founding member of Jaycees and Apex and as a founding Board Member and Board President of the Development Bureau Hinchinbrook and Cardwell Shires.

Syd was also the author of 60 Years Ready, a history of the ambulance service in the district, editor of The Queensland Ambulance Review from 1989-94, member of the Committee of the Ageing, Welfare Council and Blue Nurses, and on the Ambulance Committee for 33 years.

From 1972-95, Syd ran a massive cattle property at Ingham producing Brafords. He and Patricia moved to Caloundra in 1996 to be closer to family. In 2014, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent treatment. He cared for Patricia for several years when she became ill before she passed away in May 2019.

Syd passed away peacefully on Saturday, 8 May 2021 at the age of 88.

RAYMOND (RAY) SWAN

(at TGS 1953-56)

Raymond Gregory Swan was born on 15 October 1938. His family was from Nambour, and he commenced at TGS in 1953.

In many moving tributes from TGS Old Boys, Ray has been remembered as one of the best all-around athletes during his four years at the School. He was Captain of Rugby, Cricket and Athletics, and represented GPS in both cricket and rugby. He was revered as a bowler, opening the 1st XI bowling for four years. Many Old Boys recount their terror of facing him in training and their awe as he claimed wicket after wicket in matches. TGS Old Boy Ivan Board stated, “If there had not been so many matches washed out during the 1950s, Ray’s bowling record would no doubt have been substantially greater than the recorded figures.”

Ray was held in great esteem by his peers. He was School Prefect in 1956 and was considered a wonderful mentor by the younger boys. Ray was a gifted athlete whose competitiveness continued in both rugby league and cricket after graduating from TGS. He was proud to win a premiership with Brisbane Easts Rugby League Club.

Ray returned to TGS to teach bookkeeping from 1961-63 and was the 1st XI Cricket Coach in 1961 and ‘62. Upon leaving TGS, he was employed at North State School, Toowoomba State High School, Downlands College and Ipswich Grammar School from 1992-2004. At IGS, Ray was a cricket coach from 1994-98 and coached their 1996 and 1997 teams to GPS runners up.

Ray passed away in November 2020. He had battled multi-system atrophy, a combination of Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and other diseases, for more than two years. In the words of so many TGS Old Boys, Ray was a very decent, humble, competitive, reliable man and was always a true TGS Old Boy.

COLIN DOUGLAS DAY

(at TGS 1961-62)

Colin (Col) Douglas Day (13/7/1945 - 29/6/2021) was born in Toowoomba but grew up in nearby Crows Nest where his mother ran the local Chic Shoe Store, which is still operating! After completing Junior at Gatton College, he arrived at TGS for his two senior years. A good sportsman, he was awarded colours in swimming and shooting. Col was well liked for his unassuming manner, dry sense of humour and sly little chuckle.

Colin went on to Johns College, University of Queensland with seven of his classmates, earning degrees in education and science. He initially taught at Goondiwindi, and then as Science Master at Kepnock High in Bundaberg for thirty years.

Col was a gifted teacher who understood that learning didn’t stop at 3:30 pm. His group excursions to the Brisbane Science Week, stargazing nights and many school camps with the school’s Army Cadet Corps served his pupils well.

He was also a committed, hard-working environmental practitioner. As Vice Chairman of the Kinkuna National Park Committee, he achieved the gazettal of the new Kinkuna National Park. As the Burnett Coast Protection Group treasurer, he persuaded the government to defer the Burnett Coast coal port. He also served as a judge for Keep Australia Beautiful and on various other environmental working groups. He’s best remembered, however, as a “planter”, personally planting thousands of Coastal Fir and Pandanus Palms to protect and strengthen his beloved Coonarr Beach.

Col made a difference and will be sorely missed. His wife Ann survives him.

- Submitted by his cousin, Brian Blinco (1959-62)