Old Boy News

In May, we welcomed Michael Thomsett, son of Harold (Harry) Thomsett (192732), to the School. Michael kindly donated his father’s Head of School medals to the TGSOBA Museum. Harry was a high achiever, Dux of the School in 1931 and 1932, and Senior Prefect in 1932. He was also Captain of Cricket in 1932 and, upon graduating, was awarded an Open Scholarship to the University of Queensland.

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Ian Morris (1957-60) visited the TGSOBA Museum on Wednesday, 21 April to donate memorabilia relating to Dramatic Society productions, press clippings and programmes.

In May, Margaret Powell visited the School to donate her grandfather’s serviette ring, which he used whilst at TGS. Her grandfather, Randle Charles (Rah) Houston (1909-15), wrote the words for the School War Cry. Keith Blaikie (1979-84) was appointed principal of St Patrick’s School, Allora, in January 2021. Keith was formerly Head of Downlands College Junior School and held several leadership positions in the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools.

Tim Hawthorne (1992-1996) has become one of the leading equine vets on the Gold Coast with his practice TRH Equine Vets. Tim’s clients include many of the leading racehorse trainers on the Gold Coast.

Ian Morris (1957-60) donates memoribilia to the TGSOBA Museum Margaret Powell with a serviette ring

Callide MP Colin Boyce (1975-79) has won LNP pre-selection to run for the Federal seat of Flynn.

Harry Thomsett’s Head of School medals 1931 & 32

Michael Thomsett son of Old Boy Harry Thomsett (1927-32)

Roderick McDougall and his cousin, Andrea Brooks visited TGS recently catching up with Museum Curator, Denise Miller and Museum Volunteer, Judy Gillies. Mr McDougall was a teacher at TGS from 1980 to 1986. At that time, he was also a Boarding Housemaster for School House and Groom House. A passion for theatre saw Mr McDougall involved in several School plays, including Androcles and the Lion, The Comedy of Errors, Tuff, The Ship of Fools, Ten Little Politically Incorrect Indigenous Persons and The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew.

Mr Roderick McDougall and Ms Andrea Brooks with Mrs Judy Gillies and Mrs Denise Miller

The University of Southern Queensland has established a memorial award and endowment fund in honour of Scott Sargood (1979-80). Scott died in a gyrocopter accident near Charleville in

April 2019. He advocated for rural Australia and became known as the “Mulga Man” for his dedication and fight to save Western Queensland’s Mulga region. The inaugural award recipient was environment and sustainability student Matthew Hollis.

David Graham (1993-96) features on a 2020 calendar that promotes mental health support for people living in droughtaffected communities. It’s been produced by Neami National Health Service and the Darling Downs Public Health Unit. David has also been involved with a youth-at-risk program called “RuffTrack”. He hosted six boys aged 13 to 16 from the Hawkesbury region at his farm in Riverstone to learn dog training and sheep herding skills, and life lessons such as manners and respect for the community.

Mr Martyn Bullock and his wife, Joy visited TGS recently while on holiday from Sydney. Martyn’s father, Harold Bullock (1929-34), is featured on the TGS Old Boys’ Wall of Achievement. Born in 1916, Harold served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II, later joining the Australian Diplomatic Service. He served in Australian embassies in the US, Korea, Philippines, Israel, Pakistan and the Netherlands. Moreover, he was Australia’s Ambassador to Argentina twice and High Commissioner to Fiji, Western Samoa, The Kingdom of Tonga, Tanzania and Pakistan. Harold retired in 1980. His three brothers also attended TGS: Douglas (1936-1937), Leonard (1927-1932) and Leslie (1939-1940). While exploring the Wall of Achievement, Martyn came across a plaque dedicated to his great grandfather, The Honourable Sir Littleton Ernest Groom KCMG KC, who attended TGS from 1879 to 1883. Sir Littleton was the first Federal Member for Darling Downs, Commonwealth Attorney-General, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairman of the inaugural League of Nations Committee in 1924. Greg Chamberlin (1959-62) has received an Order of Australia for services to print journalism. Greg was also honoured in 2015 with a Queensland Clarion Award for leadership in journalism. He has worked at the Toowoomba Chronicle, on a World Press Institute Fellowship in Canberra and the US and was editor of The Courier Mail. During his time as editor, his investigations into corruption within the Queensland Police led to the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

Flight Lieutenant Lincoln Rolfe (201216) commenced operation in June 2021 as the Aircraft Tactical Commander for an operation protecting Australia’s borders. Lincoln was promoted to flight lieutenant earlier this year, but he still finds time to play rugby union and cricket.

Samson Ryan (2016-18) made his AFL debut on Friday, 25 June, for the Richmond Tigers. His match took place at the iconic MCG against St Kilda. The Saints took the points 9-8-62 to 2-10-22.

Isaac Cooper (2019-2020) and Matt Denny (2011-13) were selected for the Australian Olympic team for Tokyo 2021; they competed in backstroke and discus, respectively. Matt’s throw was a personal best but was 5cm short of third place. Isaac also recorded a PB, placing seventh in the semi-finals of the 100m backstroke; Isaac was also part of the bronze-medal winning team in the relay medley.

Lincoln Rolfe (2012-16)

Brothers Will (2011-15) and Jack Jones (2009-13) have come up with a solution to the tedious task of transporting and dispensing feed licks for cattle – a Ute Chute. You load the lick while the chutes are on the ground, use a tractor to lift it onto the ute and then drive it to wherever it needs to be dispensed. Their invention has been hugely popular with farmers across the country. They now plan to design a chute for buggies and trucks.

Malachy (Mal) Sweeney (2009-13) took up the position of NRL Darling Downs Game Development Officer in July. Mal has been an NRL casual team member since 2017 and has worked in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Darling Downs region.

Brendon Whittaker (1991-95) has started his own company, Ataxian Advisory Pty Ltd, based in Toowoomba. Brendon specialises in providing business services advice to rural and SME clients. Brendon consults on a range of services, including income tax, GST, CGT, refinancing, restructuring and cash flow management. He also has experience dealing with self-managed superannuation funds.

In July, Gordon Adams (1992-96) and Dane Houlihan (1993-97) were ushers at a friend’s wedding in England. The gents also attended the Ashes cricket match and found that Aussie attendance was down considerably due to COVID restrictions.

Steve Davison (1979-83) has established a farm stay accommodation called Hamlet Downs in Fentonbury, Tasmania. He’d love to host Old Boys and their families. You can find out more at www.hamletdowns.com.

Congratulations to Hamish Selkirk (201317), who was named 2021’s Downs and Western Apprentice of the Year. Hamish is in the fourth year of his apprenticeship with BBC QLD, which he began whilst at TGS.

Gordon Adams (1992-96) left and Dane Houlihan (1993-97) centre

In July 2021, brothers Richard (199397) and Bryce Capp (1995-99) opened a branch of their elite wallpaper manufacturing business in Toowoomba. The Capp brothers founded Milton & King 12 years ago and are now Australia’s largest wallpaper manufacturer, with a growing international market. They received an e-commerce award for Trade and Investment at the Queensland Export Awards in October.

Diesel fitter Lane Hewett (2015-17) has been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2021 Darling Downs South West Queensland Training Awards. Lane works for Hastings Deering in Toowoomba.

In September, Townsville Grammar School Archivist Mr Chris Wilson visited the TGS Museum on a “reconnaissance” mission. Mr Wilson was here at the suggestion of former TGS Deputy Headmaster and now Townsville Grammar Headmaster, Mr Tim Kelly. Townsville Grammar is about to establish its own school museum, and Mr Kelly hopes to base it on ours. He believes our museum is “one of the best in the country”.

Selwyn Maller (1974-75) of Hamilton Park Wagyu has purchased a butchery in Goomeri to help grow his branded beef business, The Phat Wag. He’s offering a true paddock to plate experience for customers. The Maller family has four cattle properties in the Maranoa region and two irrigation properties in the South Burnett, which allow them to grow their own organic fodder for their cattle. After designing the engagement ring for Australian musician George Sheppard, jeweller Lachlan Hogan’s (2003-08) business is rapidly expanding worldwide. In the past few months, Lachlan has designed pieces for customers in London, Canada and the Netherlands, to name a few.

Colin Morwood OAM (1944-47) was recently featured in a profile story in QWeekend. He outlined his fantastic career as a gymnastics judge for two Olympic games (Melbourne, 1956 and Rome, 1960) and many Australian Championships. He is an inductee in the Australian Gymnastics Judging Hall of Fame. Colin was the first City Electric Light engineering cadet in 1948 and later completed a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Queensland.

Eli Adams (2012-19) made his A-League debut for the Brisbane Roar on Saturday, 5 June, against Sydney FC. Sydney won the match 2-0.

Will Brown (2011-15) has enjoyed a successful season in the Supercars Championship with Erebus Pedders Motorsport. In September, he was ranked tenth on the ladder, with three to five rounds remaining, depending on COVID cancellations.

Professor Craig Baillie (1989-90) is part of USQ’s Centre for Agricultural Engineering. His team is exploring ways to extend menu options for astronauts on space missions. He’s developing technology that ensures fresh vegetables grown on the International Space Station can be better monitored for food safety, which will help increase food options.

After suffering from PTSD upon returning from Afghanistan, Dr Dan Pronk (199093) and his brother Ben (1988-92) have joined forces with another ex-serviceman, Tim Curtis to write The Resilience Shield. The men used their personal experiences of acute stress to create a framework to help others deal with life’s curveballs.

Despite COVID-19 taking Rob Flehr’s (2004-08) employment, he found a positive and drew on his childhood fascination with old books to start a book-binding business through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme. Rob has turned his craft into a viable business in North Hobart, with his books ranging from simple journals to ornate, customised volumes.

Earlier this year, Professor Josh Mylne (1988-92) was appointed as Deputy Director of the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM). Previously, Josh was at UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences. He boasts a prestigious list of achievements, publications and awards. In his new position, he will help lead the execution of research programs and policies that support the research objectives of the CCDM.

Head of Boyce House, Mrs Gabrielle Battersby met Old Boy, Mr Martin Sadler (1964-68) and his wife while visiting the Adelaide Cricket Oval in September. Mr Sadler was a boarder in Taylor House while Groom House was his sporting house. He received Tennis Colours for representing the School in the 1st IV Tennis team. Mr and Mrs Sadler now live in Tambellup, Western Australia.

Lane Hewett (2015-17) with his managers from Hastings Deering

Mr Chris Wilson, Townsville Grammar School Archivist with Mrs Denise Miller Martin Sadler 1964-68, Mrs Sadler and Head of Boyce House, Gabrielle Battersby

ENGAGEMENTS

Luke RADFORD (2003-12) to Megan Hooper in June 2021 Angus McALPINE (2002-10) to Jordan Priest in June 2021

Sam TOMLINSON (2002-04) to Belinda Pratt in June 2021

James BAILEY (2010-14) to Natasha Stevens in September 2021

MARRIAGES

Harry McALPINE (2000-07) to Jane Farrugia in March 2021

BIRTHS

Luke TATZENKO (2012-18) and Emily Hoang, a son, Miles Anton Tatzenko in February 2021