Welcome to the Class of 2017The Rockhampton Grammar School Past Students’ Association congratulates the RGS Class of 2017 on completing their Secondary School education. The Association welcomes our newest members. You are a Grammarian forever

The GrammarianThe RGS Past Students’ Association Newsletter DECEMBER 2017

From the President Alaina Kennedy (nee Alroe, RGS 2001)

Congratulations to the 2017 graduating cohort and welcome to the RGS Past Students’ Association. Membership of the Past Students’

Association is a wonderful way for you to keep connected to both your fellow Grammarians and the School community in general and we are excited to have all of you join our alumni.To allow the Past Students’ Association

more scope to fundraise for projects around the School and in our Grammar Community, next year we have decided to partner with the School for our Annual Race Day on Saturday, 5 May. This will be a combined family event for sponsors, families, reunions and our corporate attendees and we look forward to working with the School for this event. The event will be held on the day before Beef 2018 commences and is a fantastic way to catch up with old school mates and industry colleagues in a relaxed, social environment before Beef Week starts. If you are attending Beef Week, make

sure you drop in to the RGS stall and say hello to the RGS Marketing Team and

our Past Student Liaison, Mrs Rachael McDonald; we’d love to hear your news!There are a number of reunions being held

in 2018; which include not only the Race Day, but also the Annual All Years Reunion in Brisbane, the Annual All Years Reunion in Canberra and the All Years Networking Drinks in Rockhampton. If you would like more information about attending or hosting a reunion event in your area/country, please get in touch with Mrs Rachael McDonald at paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au. We have a number of other projects

planned for 2018, so please watch your inbox for more information about these exciting events. If would like to be involved in the planning

of our events and fundraisers, please drop in to our monthly meetings held on the top floor of the Islay Lee Learning Centre (off the Space Frame) on the first Wednesday of every month at 5pm. Merry Christmas from the Past Students’

Association Committee to all of our past students and their families. We look forward to seeing you at an event next year!

RGS past students - 100 years plus

Pages 5 - 8

Save the DateRGS Race DaySaturday, 5 MayCallaghan Park

email: paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au

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Award winning effortsIn between her Occupational Therapist

studies at Rockhampton’s CQUniversity Katie Emmert (RGS 2016) is earning praise for her traineeship efforts.Katie was recently named runner-up in the

Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year Award at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra.“I’m very humbled,’’ said Katie about the

highly regarded award.“I’m also very excited what possibilities

these awards bring for the future.”It follows earlier recognition being named

the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards and Central Queensland Trainee of the Year.Completing a Certificate III in Allied Health

Assistance helped prepare Katie Emmert for her transition from Year 12 into a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. A dedicated and hard working student,

Katie also completed other recognised qualifications while undertaking her school-based allied health traineeship. Starting her Allied Health traineeship at

school and gaining placement at Rockhampton’s Mater Hospital, Katie also competed a Certificate III in Hospitality during her Senior studies.This opportunity to obtain practical

experience and become familiar with several different industries has helped Katie choose her next career move with greater confidence. Katie was drawn to Allied Health as her

grandfather had experienced ill health for a number of years, and he had been fortunate enough to have the support of Allied Health services. He would discuss with Katie how grateful

he felt as a patient receiving the services that kept him mobile and able to live a fruitful life. “He had a lot of health services in his

life,’’ Katie said.It was these interactions and her

traineeship that helped Katie decide that this was the dream career for her.Not only did the national awards provide

an opportunity to attend the gala awards dinner but the finalists, who Katie regarded as “all amazing people” also attended ses-sions on mentoring, coaching and leader-ship.Katie also attended a panel interview.It’s an opportunity for judges and trainers

to look at the whole person - and not only has Katie excelled in her training but also has strong work ethics towards sport and school.

“I really thank RGS for the 12 years of education I had there,’’ Katie said.Katie said she always had an interest in

health.“I was lucky enough to get picked for the

traineeship and I really enjoyed the rehabilitation work,’’ Katie said.“The Mater was brilliant and this

placement also helped bring me out of my shell.”Katie admits it was difficult to time

manage all her commitments (school, work and sport) but was made easier thanks to assistance from RGS staff like long serving RGS teacher, and Head of Senior School Ms Denise Wright.“She (Ms Wright) was amazing,’’ Katie

said.“It’s also good to learn all these steps

going into the real world.”In her spare time Katie is also an

Australian representative outrigger!Katie has represented Australian Junior

and Open outrigging teams. While at RGS Katie also played in the

Magic 1st VII netball team - another task that required strong commitment and time management skills to juggle her busy workload during Year 12.

Katie Emmert’s efforts in her chosen training field, and her positive approach to the profession, are proving a winning combination.

Kurt among Cowboys bestKurt Wiltshire (RGS 2015) was rewarded for his efforts with

the North Queensland Cowboys U20 team in the 2017 season.The Cowboys winger, from western Queensland, beat out a host

of higher profile teammates to be named the Cowboys’ Under-20s player of the year.Kurt played both rugby league and rugby union during his

schooldays at RGS.In 2016 he also played for the Queensland under-18 rugby

league team in a State of Origin curtainraiser.

Jessica Kahl (RGS 2012)The Associate Vice-Chancellor’s

Campus Medal is awarded in recognition of community engagement and academic achievement.In Jessica’s case, she was an obvious

choice after establishing, implementing and touring the Dream Big program, encouraging teen girls to consider careers in Engineering.In 2015, the Dream Big Project was

awarded a ‘High Commendation’ under the Engineers Australia Gender Diversity Awards and the CQUniversity Opal Award for Engaged Service Learning and Excellence in

Engagement.CQUniversity Engineering and

Technology School Dean Professor Col Greensill says that “the Dream Big Project’s vision aligns well with the School and University’s engagement agenda and strategic intention”.“In particular, it supports our aim to

develop a culture of engaged education, research and service by encouraging active participation in engagement activities that contribute to the promotion of educational, social, cultural and economic well-being of our communities.”

The Grammarian Page 3

Helping put CQ on the mapZac Garven (RGS 2001) wears a variety of hats. He works in Marketing and Business Development for The Cassidy Hospitality Group in Rockhampton and is also a civil marriage celebrant at Married by Zac. Previously Zac has worked in events and on radio and he has previously been involved in the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Young Professionals Mentoring Program. This year he was selected for the Queensland Young Tourism Leaders Program.

There is no shortage of enthusiasm and passion for his home town when you catch up with Zac Garven.“I believe it takes a great community to

create a place, and a great place to create a community,’’ Zac said.“I am absolutely passionate about the

region I live in and was ‘born and raised’ here in Rockhampton, and grew up in my family’s local business.”“Having lived in larger metro cities in

Australia and abroad it has highlighted to me just how much Rockhampton and the Tourism Industry has to offer.”Zac is proud to be the Tourism,

Marketing and Business Development Manager of the Empire Apartment Hotel and Edge Apartment Hotel - both part of The Cassidy Hospitality Group located in the CBD Riverfront Precinct of Rockhampton, and has held this position since December 2014. “We have an incredible team I work with

that provide a world class experience to our guests every single day and night, led by my Mentor and Managing Director Grant Cassidy and his wife Rebecca (RGS past parents to Tom (RGS 2014) and Cath-erine (RGS 2016),’’ Zac said.

This energetic leadership was also recognised at a higher level towards the end of the year.“The Minister for Tourism, Education,

Small Business, and the Commonwealth Games, Hon. Kate Jones MP, recognised my leadership and entrepreneurial proficiency in the Tourism Industry and appointed me as a Young Tourism Leader in the State of Queensland,’’ Zac said.“The Young Tourism Leader Program

aims to provide influential and inspiring role models to encourage young people to consider or pursue a career in the tourism industry.” “I get to share my journey and how I got

to where I am, and encourage young people to consider a career path in tourism that can take you anywhere in the world.” “It (tourism) offers a stable and long term

career, a diversity of career opportunities, builds transferable skills, and has flexible hours and work conditions.Here is a link to Zac’s Young Tourism

Leader appointment video: https://vimeo.com/223411457 Zac is also contributing to some award

winning service with his current employer.

In November the Empire was awarded its third and fourth Qld Tourism Awards since opening in December 2014 in the categories of Business Event Venue and Deluxe Accommodation. “Winning a Qld Tourism Award is the most

prestigious and highest level of recognition in the State,’’ Zac said.Empire’s success is also helping Zac

broaden both his own, and his company’s, tourism potential.Last year, Zac was hand selected by

Tourism and Events Queensland to be one of 45 people in the Southern Great Barrier Reef Destination Leaders Program and by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council for their 2016 Young Professionals Mentoring Program, with Peter Savoff of the Emporium Hotels in Brisbane.Previous to Zac’s role with The Cassidy

Group, he enjoyed a great career working for Australia’s largest media company (now Southern Cross Austereo) for over 5 years.He then spent one year internationally

working in the USA (Monticello Media) followed by his role as territory management with Red Bull Australia and Diageo.

Big dreams rewarded

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Joining the Rockhampton Musical Union’s Les Miserables cast were a few people with RGS connections including: Back row: Matthew Dennis (RGS 2009), Dean Netherwood (RGS 2004), Michael Kennedy (RGS 2001), Frazer Baker (RGS 2009), Samuel Smith (RGS 2015);Middle row: Christine Netherwood (RGS Music teacher), Anna Hoy (RGS 2011), Alaina Kennedy (nee Alroe, RGS 2001), Melanie March (RGS Nurse Manager and parent), Kole Kingston (RGS 2016), Daniel Hoolihan (RGS 1994/parent), Elijah March-Hoolihan (RGS Year 8)Front row: Mary Steer (former RGS Music teacher), Ella Giles (RGS Year 7), Catherine Schwarten (RGS 2011), Trinity March-Hoolihan (RGS Year 11) and Michael Robertson (RGS Head of Dance and Drama and the RGS Dance and Musical Theatre Academy).

RGS Les Mis connection

Australian Army officer Neil Grierson (RGS 1990) says he is proof persistence in chasing your dream pays off having served in Afghanistan while deployed on Operation HIGHROAD.The former Rockhampton Grammar School student said he was

told he would not be successful if he applied for the Army, but his persistence to achieve his life dream in 1991 has resulted in multiple deployments over a long career.Currently the Task Group Afghanistan Chief of Staff, Lieutenant

Colonel (LTCOL) Grierson has deployed to a long list of countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Papua New Guinea, England, the United States and more.As the Chief of Staff, LTCOL Grierson is responsible for the

day-to-day running of the task group, comprising approximately 270 personnel deployed around a number of areas in Afghanistan.“I’m responsible for ensuring that personnel deployed to the task

group are able to focus on their key responsibilities, without being concerned that they aren’t being supported locally and at home,” he said.“It’s a mix of utilising my training and experience to assist and

guide those I work with, as well as directly supporting the Commander and contingent to ensure the broader success of Australia’s mission in Afghanistan.“Deploying as an Australian into an operational theatre has many

positives, however working with our deployed Australian Defence Force personnel and our Coalition partners is by far the highlight.“Alongside that, the insight this particular position offers into the

running of a deployed task group, as well as the broader operational and strategic environment we work in, is particularly rewarding.”LTCOL Grierson said he would recommend a career with the ADF

to anyone who was interested.“Defence offers a number of opportunities to grow and develop

as a person and to travel Australia and the world,” he said.“There are other benefits as well. When you join Defence you be-

come part of a larger family and you have the ability to make a difference both at the personal level and as someone who contributes to something important.”At the completion of his deployment in late 2017, LTCOL

Grierson returns home to Canberra to his wife, Rebecca, and their four children, Kaleb, Noah, Arabella and Violet.ADF personnel deployed on Operation HIGHROAD are working as

part of the international community to provide long-term support to the Government of Afghanistan. About 270 ADF personnel are deployed in Kabul and Kandahar

as part of Operation HIGHROAD, Australia’s contribution to the NATO led Resolute Support mission.

Persistence leads to Army career

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RETIRED school teacher EC “Dave” Daniels (RGS 1933) may have one last lesson to share.The Rockhampton man is one of the region’s oldest people and

this week his son Wayne shared the secret to his longevity.And we’ve all heard it before.“I think everything in moderation, if he has two beers that’s a big

day,” Wayne said. “He was always a very physically fit and athletic man and never

abused his body.” Mr Daniels recently celebrated his 103rd birthday. He was born

in Rockhampton at a time when there was only one bridge across the Fitzroy River in the city.The eldest child of a family of six, he spent his early days on

a cattle property in a small town called Gindie which is situated between Emerald and Springsure. The Great Depression hit the Daniels family hard and they were

quite poor in those days.Despite their struggle, Mr Daniels’ father offered to pay for

his son’s schooling and boarding at the Rockhampton Grammar School. After his schooling, he travelled to Brisbane to be trained as a

school teacher. Throughout his career, Mr Daniels taught at a range of schools

in the region.He taught at a little bush school near Mundubbera in the Burnett

region for one to two years where he stayed with Dutch immigrants. His son, Wayne Daniels said his father spoke fondly of that

period of his life. In the late 1930s, Mr Daniels taught and tutored at the

Rockhampton Grammar School, where he had been educated, for two years. “There’s very few fellows that he taught, they would be 93 or

94 years old if they were alive, most of them are now deceased,” Wayne said.Mr Daniels then taught at Keppel Sands from 1940 until the

school closed in 1942, during the war years, as it was deemed too dangerous. In 1946, he became a teacher at the Hamilton Creek School in

Mount Morgan where he taught for about 26 years. In 1948, Wayne was born and grew up in the rich mining town. Mr Daniels’ wife Mary taught at the Mount Morgan Central State

School for many years. “For the last few years before they left Mount Morgan, she was

teaching at the high school where she was the senior mistress,” Wayne said. After teaching at Hamilton Creek, Mr Daniels spent the last eight

or nine years of his career at the Berserker St State School in North Rockhampton. “He finished up when he was about 63 or 64 because my

mother wasn’t well and so he gave up school a little bit early to help look after her,” Wayne said.Throughout his career as a teacher, Mr Daniels was

well-respected within his community.He is still stopped in the street by former students in their 60’s

and 70’s who still call him “Sir”.

EC Daniels celebrates 103rd birthdayHe is still stopped in the street by former students in their 60’s and 70’s who still call him “Sir”

EC “Dave” Daniels celebrated his 103rd birthday on 29 November. He is as much respected today as he was when he was a schoolboy at The Rockhampton Grammar School. The below article appeared in The Morning Bulletin:

Pictured:(top) Dave with two of his children, Sandra and Wayne;(middle) Dave and his late wife Mary;(above) Dave excelled in various sports at RGS.

Photographs contributed

The Grammarian Page 6

RGS School Days with Headmaster Kellow

The Rockhampton Grammar School of the early 1930s was a very different learning environment for David Dunlop (RGS 1933) compared to today’s school.Born on 3 June 1915 and now 102, still

living in his own home in Canberra, David’s memories remain sharp. He remembers his teachers, his subjects, his fellow students and the school grounds.Completing Senior studies back in David

Dunlop’s school days was rare.“In those days a lot of children finished

school at Primary School and that’s when the scholarship examinations happened. Usually at the end of Primary that was the end of their education and they started work,’’ David said.“Cook was the name of the man who ran

the Primary School. He was a very good teacher.”“That (exam) gave me a scholarship.

Money was very scarce in those days. Father was a first class engine driver in the railways. His average wage was about 3 pounds a week (now about $6).” “I passed so the government paid the

fees. Two years as a Junior and I passed that and that gave me an extensive scholarship to do Senior for another two years.”“I did Senior in 1932 and matriculated

to the university, but things were so tough and the School offered an extension scholarship for a year, Patterson was another one (student), to see if things might improve in the economy so 1933 was a repeat year.”They were the days when Headmaster

Henry Arthur Kellow was the real thing – not a name on a house banner or a name written in the pages of history books.“I remember him very, very well. He was

Scotch descent and so was his wife. He had a daughter and son. Every morning we’d line up outside the assembly room and then march in. He sat up on the dais, the third level. The second level the masters sat there and all the students were on the floor,’’ David recalls with a smile. “Anyone that had had a misdemeanour

should be punished. He would do that at

the assembly meeting in front of the whole class. I thought this isn’t done very nice.” “The School had no assistance like the

School has today as I know it. Quite often he’d (Kellow) be called away to a Trustees meeting and instead of us being taught

“He (Kellow) wasn’t so much interest in the

examinations, he was more interested in education.”

he’d say go and pick up stones off the playing field. This was terrible.”“I always remembered one thing.

(Kellow said) I want you to write an es-say on still waters run deep. I remember doing this. Of course they run deep but so what. What can you say about it. I had no imagination. Maths and science were good but I always thought what can I write about that.”“Kellow had written a number of books, I

still have one, but it had nothing to do with the syllabous for the public examinations. He wasn’t so much interested in the examinations, he was more interested in education. And he was right. I think I had 13 subjects and these days they have about six. But it all held me in good stead and I had a base.” “The School had no typewriters or

anything like that. (David’s typing tutor lessons were held at Rockampton Girls Grammar after school hours) Everything was hand written. I still have the records he (Kellow) gave me when I was finishing school.”“The best teacher the School had in

those days was KC Gillam. He concentrated on practical work and he took maths and physics. He gave theory in the classroom on the blackboard and practical work in the physics lab which was next to the teachers’ common room. It stimulated me in maths and physics, I learned about electricity and radio was coming in during those days so we learned how to build a crystal set.”“The question of your early training. You

were taught how to think. One thing Gillam always used to stress was don’t just learn the formula, don’t try to do this and that, learn how to develop the formula. If you forget the formula you’ve had it but if you know how to work it out you’re going to be alright. This was very good advice.”David also has a laugh remembering his

former teacher Cecil Hadgraft.“I remember we went on strike one day

because we were getting too much homework (from Mr Hadgraft) and we couldn’t cope with it. The teacher came back and there was no one in the classroom. We went up to the gardens. We were chastised of course,” David said.“He was a good teacher. I passed Junior

in Latin and French.”David grew up in a Rockhampton with

no electricity, no water system, no septic system and lanterns for evening meals and homework.“Things weren’t easy.”“There was scrub all around the School

except on the western side. There were prickly pear bushes growing in there. If they got in your fingers you had a terrible time getting them out. On the School boundary closer in there were rubber vines, with white liquid, you would get this and rub it in your hands and make a rubber ball and the ball would get bigger and bigger. (continued next page)

“I often think the education I had at the School formed the base for the rest of my life.” - David Dunlop

The Grammarian Page 7RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds attends a past student breakfast in Canberra each November, which coincides with the RGS Year 6 Canberra trip. David advised he was too frail to get himself to the breakfast this year so the Headmaster dropped in to visit David and catch up on his memories of both his school and work life.

(Continued from Page 6)“There was a grandstand and a bottle

tree next to the grandstand. There was a big bank going down to the playing fields. Of course a highlight in those days was getting the septic system and the tank was on the boundary of the School near the scrub. The tennis courts were developed as time went by.”“I remember when they built the

swimming pool. We weren’t allowed to watch the girls (from Girls Grammar) walk to the pool.”David grew up at 32 Connolly Street, on

the corner of Canning Street near the tram depot and the quarry. David’s family also rented a house at Emu Park for a while to help improve his mother’s health.He would catch the train from Emu Park

at 7am. The separate trains from Emu Park and Yeppoon would meet and attach for the final journey to Rockhampton, arriving at Archer Park Station around 8.30am. David was back on the train at 5.30pm and in Emu Park at 7pm.

“By the time you walked from the station to the house, had your dinner, you weren’t ready to do any study. And of course there was no electric lights,’’ David said.

“I remember when they built the swimming pool. We weren’t allowed to watch the girls (from Girls Grammar)

walk to the pool.”After successfully passing his Senior for

a second year in 1933 David moved to Brisbane where he studied a Bachelor of Science at the University of Queensland. Prior to leaving for Brisbane he had also sat the first clerical examination for the Commonwealth Public Service in the December. Results were released in April.“It was the first examination because

before that all the recruits to the Public Service in the third division (clerical) were all war veterans. I passed that (exam) and

got a letter saying there’s only one or two vacancies in Queensland so I had no chance of getting a job in Queensland but said they could offer me a job in Canberra. I knew nothing about Canberra except that it was the capital of Australia,’’ David said.“My mother didn’t want me to go at all

and my father said I’m not going to advise you one way or the other. Whatever you choose to do I’ll support you,’’ David said.Moving to Canberra, David later became

a qualified accountant in 1941 and then relocated to Sydney for the standard three-month military service before that post was prolonged when Japan entered the war. After his two-year duty David dabbled in teaching before returning to Commonwealth Government employment.“All the various things I’ve done, both in

university lecturing, investigation work, worked with Ministers, I always remember School. I often think the education I had at the school formed the base for the rest of my life.”“I have lovely memories.”

Brittany returns for a second termBrittany Lauga (nee McKee,

RGS 2003) has been elected to State Parliament for a second term for the Queensland Labor Party, and also appointed Assistant Minister for Education.This time around will be slightly

different with baby Odette, now also in the mix for Brittany to juggle her busy political commitments.The former RGS School

Captain, speaking to The Morning Bulletin newspaper, said she was very pleased with the result and humbled by the community’s endorsement to continue her work for the people and the region she loves as their local MP.

*Vale - Lindesay Jones (former State Organiser and Assistant Secretary of ALP (Qld)). Page 16.

Stephen Moore (RGS 1993-1996) did not get the final game result he wanted with the Australian rugby union team, but he leaves the international arena with an impressive record and the honour of having represented and captained his country.Stephen played 129 Tests at hooker for Australia, 13 seasons

in the gold jersey that ended with a 53-24 loss against Scotland. It all started when the 22-year-old made his Australian debut off

the bench against Samoa. His career started with a 74-7 victory.Stephen started his passion for rugby union playing club rugby

in the Rockhampton District competition and he also proudly wore the red and black for Rockhampton Grammar before moving to Brisbane where he completed his schooling.

Moore ends Aust rugby career

The Grammarian Page 8

RGS past studentsIf you have caught up with former school friends please send your photos and details to paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au

Catching up for the annual RGS Canberra Breakfast were Ted Baker (RGS 1942), Ra-chel Milnes (nee Trump, RGS 1995), David Deaves (RGS 1985), Chris Scarvell (RGS 1981), John Mathieson (RGS 1976), Peter Enzerink (RGS 1981), Ken Goody (RGS 1957), Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds, Michael Baccon (RGS 1987), Peter Rose (RGS 1964, Jerry Tipping (RGS 1950) and Darren Wright (RGS 1986).

RGS students are making their mark at the University of Queensland’s Kings College. Thomas Cassidy (pictured back row, second right, RGS 2014) was among the Master’s Academic High Achievers in Semester 1 this year while Tom Kele (RGS 2015) was elected to the King’s College Student Club 2018 executive as Internal Affairs Officer.

Andrew Conaghan (RGS 2002) is performing in the London West End production of Les Miserables and had the opportunity to quickly catch up with RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds during the RGS UK Music Tour earlier this year.

Above (left and right): Among the past student supporters at this year’s RGS Music Festival were:(left) Alexandria Baker (RGS 2015); (above) Peter Fay, Will Flockhart, Hamish Cowan and Tess Waller (all RGS 2016).

Left: RGS 1959 Seniors Brian Purdie, Lance Currie and John McDougall catch up for an ice cream.

Megan Kent (Year 12, 2017) caught up with brother Isaac Kent (RGS 2012) at this year’s Ekka in Brisbane.

Greg Purvis (RGS 1985) at the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner with son Joe and wife Rachel.

RGS Director of Boarding Stewart Norford with Kwan Wolsey (RGS 2001).

The Grammarian Page 9

Raleigh International in Nepal

Ella embraces and battles volunteer work

Ella Thompson (RGS 2016) returned home a different person after a volunteer trip to Nepal.Initially Ella was filled with excitement

and the anticipation of meeting new people and meeting a new culture.“When we arrived in Kathmandu it was

crazy the difference. Very simple and small,’’ Ella said.Kathmandu was full of “tiny houses,

crazy traffic, it was dusty and dirty and when I was breathing it felt a bit tight’’, Ella recalled.Then meandering to her Raleigh base

camp in the hills, the land transformed to green hills and humble villages.“The first few days were a bit hard

adjusting and a lot of new things – new food, new people, a new culture, a new place. It was very overwhelming,’’ Ella said.“It hit me when I got there. It was real. I

hoped I’d made the right decision.”After the first few days Ella loved every

minute of her adventure. They were part of a bigger picture in the Baltar district.“We were constructing a water tank for

the villagers because they don’t have access to safe water for cooking, cleaning, drinking. They have to walk half an hour, 45 minutes to get to the closest water source and then carry the water in big jerry cans.”“There were 13 of us. We were doing a

lot of digging. We had an engineer (Ra-leigh employee) and doing the work the villagers needed and wanted. There was good communication between the villagers and us and we integrated well.”“They need this water tank to be

constructed so we were digging,

shovelling for trenches to build a transmission line to the water course.”“Day in day out it was digging, digging,

digging.”“It was completely new. I was very

determined and committed to do the work they needed so I wanted to do as well as I could. But mentally and physically it did get draining. The first few days were the hardest letting it sink in. This is what we’re doing every day for three and a bit weeks. Gosh. I had to keep reminding myself this is what they needed.”“Not having a water supply that is safe

and reliable for them to use is crazy to think about.”“To be able to do something to help

towards that was special.”The work was new for Ella as was the

living conditions, a far cry from her comfortable family home in Rockhampton.“The houses were simple. Lots of

wooden houses, stone floors, it was very green around the village, fires were the main way to cook food. Everyone would sleep in one room. A house was one room for cooking and sleeping. Most of the villages would grow crops, corn and rice, and had their own goats, buffalo and chickens they used to make their living out of,’’ Ella said.Ella shared their diet of a rice dish and

lentil soup. “If we got greens we were lucky,’’ Ella

said.“Eating that twice a day was a bit of a

struggle at the start but I was grateful for getting food and that they were cooking it for us.”

Ella admits she was ready to come home after her first volunteer experience.“I loved it. I learned so much about

myself and the world,’’ Ella said.That included a new appreciation for

home and her family.“I had to adjust to a place with no

electricity, no running water, sleeping on the floor and drop toilets, digging a hole to go to the bathroom and walking half an hour to collect your water, it became normal life,’’ Ella said.“Coming back (home) it hit me a lot

more the things I did take for granted. Being able to turn the tap on and have a normal shower was like wow this is amazing. It felt surreal. One day not having it and suddenly it’s all back.” “Opening the fridge and being able to

eat what I want and knowing they are living off such a simple diet.”The experience also opened new

communication channels for Ella – learning more about working in a team with people who had different beliefs and realising how different people are.“It was a massive lesson,’’ Ella said.“The lesson was being more accepting

and tolerant of others and more appreciative and more grateful. Things I hadn’t thought twice about before.”The project is ongoing and should be

finished early next year as more Raleigh volunteers continue the work required to make life that bit easier for others. Ella will be pursuing the start of her

university studies in Australia in 2018.* Next page - Jack Nicoll experiences

Tanzania.For more information visit https://

raleighinternational.org/

The Grammarian Page 10

Many students look at GAP year options after completing Year 12. For some that involves working or travelling and for others like Jack Nicholl (RGS 2016) they decide to volunteer abroad. Jack travelled to Tanzania and this is his story:

What were your first impressions when you arrived in Tanzania? On my journey to Tanzania I was more

than a little apprehensive. Africa on the whole doesn’t have the safest reputation and I had spent plenty of time reading about all of the things that could go wrong. When I arrived the first thing that struck me was that “Hakuna Matata” is a very real and important philosophy in Tanzania.I realised that whilst I should definitely

keep my wits about me, I should also not let myself be so anxious. What project did you work on and

what did that work involve? How did you cope with the work conditions? I worked on two projects, one was a

NRM (natural resource management) project where we were building a pine

tree nursery high up in the mountains. The second was a SWASH project (Schools, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) where we were building a toilet block at the school in a small village whilst also teaching in the school every day. There was an horrendous amount of digging, but I didn’t mind it too much. I think at first everyone struggled a bit

with the conditions. It was a very different to the luxury we were used to, no running water, no access to the internet and very little access to electricity. But soon we all adapted, I guess the most important thing was that we were all in it together. How did it feel being a part of this

project?Every day a team of villagers, often

outnumbering our own team, would turn up at the project site to take time out of their day and lend a helping hand. This, to me, went far above any welcoming ceremony in showing that they were grateful that we were there and that they were grateful for the work we were doing. That was a really special feeling.

What did you gain personally from tackling this experience? Did it change your outlook on the world? I think I have definitely come back

happier and more motivated. It really was a special experience, and I feel that I have gained a lot, both in tangible skills and slightly more philosophical traits. What are the plans now that you’ve

returned from Tanzania?Well uni next year is the plan. In the long

term though, I hope that I can work with NGO’s in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed the work that I did and the people that I did it with.

Every two years the RGS 1st XI cricket tour of Sydney is held with recent games against Newington College and Waverley College.On this year’s

tour some of the RGS players had the opportunity to find out more about RGS in a different era when billets, including Year 12 graduate Ryan Dellow, were hosted by Brett Burton (RGS 1980).Brett’s son plays cricket for Newington

College and it was a great opportunity to talk all things RGS and cricket.“I played cricket for RGS from Year 8 to

Year 11. I was more of a bowler, however opened the batting on some occasions, and averaged about 25,’’ Brett said.Brett, now leading a team at Westpac

that helps improve customer experiences and business efficiency, said it was a pleasure hosting the RGS cricketers.“They were polite, engaging

and lots of fun,’’ Brett said.“I grew up in Biloela and it was great to

reconnect with RGS lads. It was good to make the connection with boys from Capella and Longreach who had fathers and friends who were at the school when I was there.”It also brought back a few

school memories.“I was in the last class, 1976, that was

there when it was an all boys school. They were surprised to learn that I still had my old blazer and that it was

so similar to the modern version. On reflection, I remembered throwing myself into every activity at RGS, particularly in my last two years,’” Brett said.“Cricket, rugby, basketball, Argus

drama (I was the lead in two productions in Year 12), Boarding House Prefect in Year 11 and Boarding House Captain for Kellow Jardine in Year 12, organising the junior choir, studying for exams.”“There was not much time left over. I

am extremely grateful that the education I received was a springboard to University.” After School Brett attended the

University of Queensland (Bachelor of Science) and then worked for BHP as a metallurgist and returned to full time study and obtained a MBA in 1991. Brett and his wife have two sons who

both attend school at Newington College.

Bowled over by cricket tour opportunity

Volunteering motivates Jack

The Grammarian Page 11

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” Martin Luther King

“Martin Luther King departed this world in April 1968, as did my father, David Rolleston Martin.I was born five months later.Even though I was not fortunate enough to have met my dad,

embraced him or even heard his voice, he is as real to me as any father is to his daughter.For the past 20 years or so, every school day, I have walked the

grounds he once walked. I teach in classrooms and halls where he once learned. I have albums of photographs of my exquisite mother and my handsome father as childhood sweethearts and as bride and groom. Like an intricate, beautiful patchwork, his life, his personage, takes shape through this School, photographs, anecdotes and on the faces of those who so fondly reminisce.Yet, there had always been a gap. Despite being part of our strong RGS community, I held little

hope of discovering my father’s school life. That is, until a chance discussion earlier this year with Rachael McDonald, our School’s Communication and Development Officer. All I gave her was my father’s name and a general idea of when

he finished school. Within days, I received an email from Bob Sayce – a close friend and school buddy of David Martin.In September, I had the honour of meeting Robert and Margaret

Sayce as they called into Rockhampton on their way from their south Queenlsand coastal home to a reunion in Townsville. Bob, Marg and my mother, Mary, and I met in a café in Rockhampton. Our rich, joyful and extraordinary conversation advanced past dusk. Here, another dimension of my father’s life materialised as

Bob and my mother’s recollections were shared in such incredible detail.What I discovered in that meeting is nothing short of a novel in

itself. Being greeted with such warmness, and invited into my father’s

fold of close school friends, is magical. A further reunion – a gathering of this incredible group is in the planning as I write. I feel I am meeting my father’s brothers.Life is certainly a ‘network of mutuality’, as Martin Luther King

once said. So you see, a simple extension of kindness and connection can

make all the difference.“To the RGS Past Student Association, thank you.”

* Julieanne’s son Stuart also graduated second dux at RGS in 2010 and is now a doctor in Cairns.

RGS helps connect the pastJulieanne Harris is the Co-ordinator of Literacy and English teacher at RGS. She is also a past student (1988). Over a casual chat at School one day the connection was made that Julieanne’s dad, David, was also an RGS past student (RGS 1963). Julieanne never had the opportunity to meet her dad after he was killed in an accident before her birth. A few emails later and Julieanne had the opportunity to fill in the blanks of her dad’s schooldays after catching up with his old school friends. This is Julieanne’s story:

Pictured: (top right) Margaret and Bob Sayce with Julieanne Harris and her mum Mary; (above) David, front row second right, with fellow RGS students; (above left) Mary and David at a ball.

A Grammarian Forever: Keep in touch with the RGS community and update your update your contact details by emailing paststudents@rgs.qld.edu.au

The Grammarian Page 12

RGS Reunion - October (Class of 1967)

Chris Manning, Will Woolcock, Les Clarkson and Chris Palmer. Jim Randell, Trevor Bawden,

Phil Hoare and Ray Currie.

Top: John Morris;

Above: Ian Leeson;

Left: Ross Millroy and former RGS teacher Mr Rod Deeth.

RGS Reunion - October (Class of 1977)

Richard Giles, Bruce Edwards, Clem Suttle and John Sturgess.

Ian Becker leads the group past Campion House on the School Tour.

Rod Hay and Lachlan PeaceyFormer Headmaster Mr Arthur Butler and former School Captain Peter Letchford.

Glenda Ford and Jeff Smith Colin Casswell, Trevor Cheetham, Mark Morris, Paul Walker and Jeff Smith.

Above: Peter Young and David Alexander;Left (top): Karen Freeman-Holmes and Donald Kirk; Left: John Hadock and Paul Walker remember their school days.

The Grammarian Page 13

Lachlan Jewell (RGS 2016) is converting a love of learning Industrial Design and Technology studies to teaching his passion to others.The CQUniversity Bachelor of

Education (Secondary) student, majoring in IDT and Mathematics studies, has returned to The Rockhampton Grammar School (RGS) this year, this time blending the role of teacher and student.Lachlan said it was definitely

different being back at School as the teacher and not the student.“It’s strange getting the students

to say Mr Jewell and not Lachlan, as they knew me, and calling my teacher by his first name and not Mr Harmsworth,’’ Lachlan said.Having been a student in the

Grammar School’s IDT classroom Lachlan had to learn more about what happens behind the scenes, with lesson plans, paperwork and reports.A teaching career was not a long term

goal for Lachlan but he admits he has always liked to pass on his knowledge.“I have a lot of cousins who are

younger and when they would come out to [my family’s] property I always loved teaching them to ride bikes and do this or that,’’ Lachlan said.“I never thought of teaching and one

day in the car mum said to me have you ever thought about teaching.”Lachlan is enjoying his early days

of study at CQUniversity, particularly welcoming the opportunity to expand on his IDT interests.“It’s a really hands on subject. I’ve always loved building and designing, and helping people,’’ Lachlan said.

Student to teacher RGS Reunions - October (Class of 1997)

Stacey Stewart (nee Ives), Brett Williams, Deanne Brown (nee Deguara), Clair Fletcher (nee Sambell), Kristy Heelan (nee Sue), Melissa Maxwell (nee Bradbury) and Nina Brown.

David Bath and Lewis Bastin-Byrne.

Corrine Michelle Mehmedovic (nee Rowe) and Samantha Willert (nee Denaro)

From top left: Stephen Mackie, Louise Gill (nee Peckett), Justin Blair and Alysha Palmer (nee Bollington).

Below: Elizabeth Clare (nee Burgess), Amy Daley (nee Howe), Shontae Moran (nee Saal) and Brendan Moran.

Left: Shontae Moran (nee Saal) found an old school uniform for the school tour and found her name on the Captains of Rowing Honour Board;Right: Al and Krista Becker (nee Leach).

For the love of danceMarnie Hungerford (RGS 2014) completed her third year at the

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), majoring in contemporary dance. An additional bonus this year was Marnie at-tending the B12 Berlin Dance Festival is a showcase of professional research, outreach and performance projects: all formats were led by skilled and dedicated teachers and choreographers from all over the world. Over three weeks Marnie collaborated and learned from many established artists who have extensive company experience that they are willing to pass on.

Around the School

Round Square RGS Year 10 student Jasmine Woolley experienced Thailand through a Round Square school exchange with The Regent’s International School in Bangkok. Jasmine studied at the international school from 13 November to 1 December. RGS is a global member school of Round Square, a worldwide network of schools in 50 countries across six continents.

Cricket It was another great year for cricket at RGS. The First XI qualified for the Secondary Schools T20 State Final where they lost to The Southport School while the Primary School T20 side also qualified for their State Final in Brisbane.

School Projects with a Cause RGS textiles students have expanded their classroom studies to the broader community. Students completed two projects, Cape4Kids - where they sewed capes for sick children in

the local Rockhampton Hospital. The textiles students also made colourful dresses for the Dress a Girl Around the World campaign, with the RGS dresses being sent to Pakistan to help brighten the lives of young girls in poor regional communities.

Community PrideRGS School Captain Elizabeth Clarke was one of 12 Queensland students to receive an Order of Australia Association Secondary Schools Citizenship Award for her work with the arts.

RGS TodayThe Grammarian Page 14

2017: Dux Awards Congratulations to the RGS Dux recipients for 2017:

Dux of School - Areeb Mahmood (pictured with Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Brad Beasley (RGS 1975); Year 6 - Ava Tregea (pictured with Head of Primary Geoff Hadwen); Year 7 - Dominique Sleaford; Year 8 - Harshitha Peddireddy; Year 9 - Sansuka De Silva; Year 10 - James Vandeleur; and Year 11 - Pooja Arumugam.

Blocko farewells RGS Students and the staff of The Rockhampton Grammar School gave a rousing rendition of the School song to farewell long-time staff member and RGS stalwart Graham Bloxsom (centre), who has resigned after 27 years of service to the School. Bidding farewell at Assembly, Blocko said:

“There are so many of you who shake my hand, slap my back or give me a friendly hug. It has been a pleasure to receive your friendship over the duration of my employment.”

Blocko was a sports coach, boarding master, bus driver, farm hand, maintenance worker. * However, he was spotted post retirement later in the year helping set up for School events!

The Grammarian Page 15

Life is full highs and lows. Tony Cuming (RGS, 1970) has wonderful memories of his time in boarding at The Rockhampton Grammar School.

His youthful enthusiasm also came to an abrupt halt when he farewelled his best mate at school. Tony, now living in Perth, kindly shares his memories from that era.

RGS memories

The Best Days of my Life

At 8 years and 3 months of age, on a hot late January day in 1960, I started at The Rockhampton Boys Grammar School.My parents and I had travelled from the

rural area of Wowan, and I was to start in year four. After the preliminaries of being shown up

to Red Dorm and Mum making my bed and sheepishly watching the “old boys”, who had done one year or more at Grammar, Mum and Dad said they were off down to Rocky to get some things. I didn’t see them for another 3 months. For at least two weeks every day after school I sat at the main gate waiting for them to return.I was in Grade four and the teacher was

Mr Hayes and he taught grades four to six in the same room. I had made friends with Maxy Barclay, who was the only other boarder in Grade four, and also Johnny Winter who was a day boy. Our classroom was right next to the entrance to the Headmaster’s Office and the entrance to the dining hall. Periodically some miscreant would come to “Boss” Jardine’s door and receive a few “cuts” on the hand from the cane. Watching this exhibition had a real

salutary affect on my behaviour and scared the daylights out of me.

Life was really not that bad. There was some bullying from the “old boys” which wasn’t much, and if you stayed out of their road things were fine. Prep formers as we were known, were kept reasonably separate from the general students. We had our own dorm, had early showers and meals. The showers were overseen by Matron Maude Hennigan and her helper Ena Lawrence. They also did the sick bay duties and most diseases from pneumonia to pleurisy were cured with aspros, painting the throat with some red concoction and gargling with peroxide.Some of the teachers were scary, in

particular Maurie Ivers and I say that as our first encounter ended in tears, mine. Each Saturday morning he would give out the pocket money and on my first Saturday, I had no idea how much to ask for. I sought some advice from Geoff McIntyre who I knew from Wowan. He advised me to ask for five shillings, which I did. The ‘bullfrog” sat back in his chair and bellowed out a repeat of what I asked for. This was like a scene from Oliver Twist and I promptly burst into tears and was given two shillings and sixpence.“Prickle” Ryan was also frightening. He

was young and the school hero due to his athletics ability, but had a deep, loud and frightening voice and didn’t mind giving the odd clout behind the ear when warranted. He also taught some classes in the music room, and we prep formers periodically moved classrooms. We were at some stage in the extension of the assembly hall, near the War Memorial. I liked it here as I was very impressed with the memorial, and that one of the granite blocks was hollow. It was mooted that this contained the remains of TJ Ryan, but to an eight-year-old the stories that his ghost haunted the school was serious stuff. There was even a special night that the ghost roamed the dormitories, which was played up by the “old boys” and scared the living be Jeezes out of the new ones. Even when I got to Year 12 I still revered the ghost of T.J. Ryan.There were lots of games to play and

cowboys and war were the top two. Teams were picked and soon there were battles raging all over the school. Out the front of Campion House, was a storm drain with an iron grate covering it. This was the jail, and the bad guys were stuffed in there and guarded until the captors were “killed” and

the baddies released. We found all sorts of hideouts and tunnels under the school, and sometimes they were used to escape persecution from someone out to get you. After dinner and before prep, huge

games of Bedlam and Red Rover were played down on the “debby”. Just about all the boarding house was there and many injuries occurred when we minnows were trampled by the big boys. Of course we played right up to the prep bell and then it was a race to get sweaty feet into shoes and socks and then we had to sit in prep bathed in sweat.Prep was held in the Assembly Hall and

Maxy and I were amongst all the Senior boys with a Prefect in charge and we were never short of help for our homework. The best entertainment at prep was getting the mosquito coils started as they were hard to light and then after an hour or so we had a snack break which in summer was cold milk and winter was hot/ luke warm cocoa. This usually washed down some cake or biscuits.

“The food at Grammar was not bad. We had delicacies like “dog bones”, “dinosaur

dibs”, “bum nuts” and “bog”.”

The food at Grammar was not bad. We had delicacies like “dog bones”, “dinosaur dibs”, “bum nuts” and “bog”. The beloved CSR Golden Syrup (bog) kept young men alive. We mainly had it on bread, but it was known to go on Weet Bix, on Corn Flakes and in a cuppa. All meals were eaten in the dining room, although on some hot Sundays after church we had lunch in the garden. It usually consisted of meat pies or cold meat and salad but was a good change. Perhaps the highlight of the food saga was “scrape”. This was afternoon tea and was usually vegemite sandwiches. But they were not ordinary sandwiches having been prepared some time in the early afternoon and then put out on a table covered with a plastic sheet. Needless to say by the time we got to them they had

The Grammarian Page 16pretty well “melted”, but we wolfed them down.Nearly everyone had food supplements

from home. Most consisted of tinned goods mainly spaghetti, baked beans and hot packs. The favourite was when someone got a fruit cake and we would pool all the tinned goods and have a midnight cook up. This usually took place down behind the rifle range and was kept very hush hush, as midnight snacks were known to be raided by the bigger boys who would take the booty.The Prefects and senior boys kept an eye

on us and if things got out of hand they usually stepped in. I can remember several times falling asleep in prep and being carried upstairs to bed by the Prefect. I also remember one lunch break riding John Winters bike flat out down the hill beside the new McFarlane Wing and unable to stop I went over the retaining wall and crashed in a heap about six feet down. Big Des Cowie jumped over the railing, about 10 feet high, picked me up and carried me up to sick bay.All the fun and games and excitement

of boarding school life came to an abrupt halt on June 10th, 1960 when I lost my best mate Maxy Barclay in a plane crash at Mackay. He was in company with eight other Grammar Boys going home for the Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

Maxy and I were inseparable as I was the youngest border and he was next, and I seem to remember it was his ninth birthday that weekend or close to it. He was pretty chirpy as his parents were letting him fly home and we would talk about it as our beds were side by side. One night when I had only been there for a short time, I wet the bed and I woke Maxy with my crying and trying to redo the bed in the middle of the night. He gave me a

hand and between the two of us we got it made. I had gone home for the long weekend

and had heard Mum and Dad talking about the plane crash, and I think it was on the holiday Monday that the names were announced. I was very upset and kept saying that it may have been a mistake, but upon getting back to school found out it was no mistake. The “boss” called an assembly and told

all of us the sad news and during the week we went to the Church of England Cathedral where Dean Hazelwood took the service. I never got over it, so much so that my folks moved to Rockhampton and I became a day boy for the next two years.I returned as a border in 1965 and later

in 1969/70 and did my Senior. I had been affected so badly by Maxy’s death that I struggled with schoolwork and had to be back classed. I did have the privilege to be Red Dorm Prefect during that time and had Maxy’s brother Ivan as one of my boys.I spent seven years in the Royal

Australian Navy as a radio tech and then thirty five years in the WA Police Force, twenty of which was as a Prosecuting Sergeant and not many days go by when I don’t reflect on the great days at Rocky Grammar.

Tony Cuming

Patrice Brown (RGS 1978) sees an opportunity and takes it.Patrice (pictured centre), the Founder/

Company Director of CQG Consulting (www.cqgroup.com.au) as well as an owner of two start-up companies, com-mercial property owner with her husband Andrew and a partner with her siblings of a cattle property in Central Queensland, won this year’s Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders Queensland Owner/Entrepreneur.This was followed by an opportunity to

speak at the Australian Women’s Leadership Summit in Brisbane. “These events provide excellent

opportunities for broadening networks and hearing about the wonderful achievements Australians young and old are making in health, education, research, infrastructure and business to name a few sectors,’’ Patrice said.“I’ve also been fortunate enough to

participate in two delegations to Singapore in recent months to help wave the flag for regional business ties with the Singapore Defence forces and companies interested in our agricultural products and services.”“One of the lessons I learnt young in life

that was reinforced at my time at the Rockhampton Grammar was to make the most of opportunities.“Push yourself out of your comfort zone

and into challenging situations be they personal or professional. I have had wonderful opportunities come my way and others I have actively pursued.”“A good education provides a huge leg

up into the saddle of life, if you’re given the chance stay on and make the best of this chance. The chance to ride through life with an ability to learn, an ability to mix with other people, to ask questions, to jump hurdles, to gallop at times and to walk at a slow pace to enjoy the scenery.”“Too many people don’t make it onto the

saddle, others slip off the other side, make sure you jump on and go for it.”Patrice said a mix of skills, an

understanding of politics, the ability to engage with a broad range of people and a passion to make a difference are essential ingredients for a successful career or business.

“My education journey has included an BSc (Chem) through CQUniversity, a Masters in Civil Engineering from the UNSW plus business studies and short courses, all completed while I worked full time. Learning is a part of everyday life and I’m excited about the future advances in artificial intelligence, robotics and health and communication and the types of jobs students of today can pursue and even create themselves,’’ Patrice said.“As a grand-daughter, daughter, sister

and a mother to RGS students and a student myself I have a strong bond with the School and am grateful for the influence the School has had on my family and my life.”Patrice’s sons Jake and Reegan studied

at University of Queensland, and overseas, and her daughter Lucy Brown is studying teaching at CQUniversity.

Taking opportunities opens new possibilities

The Grammarian Page 17

Upcoming Events RGS Annual Brisbane All Years Reunion

Saturday, 21 April

Midday start (until whenever you are finished)

Venue: Transcontinental Hotel (opposite Roma Street Station)

RSVP: Lance Currie (RGS 1959) on 0402 094 912 or email lfcurrie@yahoo.com or Steve Brown (RGS 1979) on 0412 629 791.

(If you’re a sports fan it’s a great weekend to be in Brisbane with the following games on:

Friday - Broncos v Storm Saturday - Reds v Chiefs Sunday - Lions v Suns

• 10 February - RGS Parent Association “Moonlight Ball” (RGS Rowing Club)

• 24 March - RGS Dance and Musical Theatre Academy’s (DMTA) Cocktails and Canapes (Wilby’s Restaurant)

• 4 May - RGS Parent Association Mother’s Day Luncheon (MAH)

• 5 May - RGS Race Day at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park

• 6-12 May - Beef Australia in Rockhampton (visit the RGS pavilion and cattle displays)

• 18-19 May - Callide Dawson Show (Biloela)

• 25-26 May - Capella Show

• 29-30 May - Clermont Show

• 1-2 June - Springsure Show

• 28-30 June - RGS at the AgGrow Field Days in Emerald

• 17-19 August - RGS Secondary School Musical “Strictly Ballroom”

• 14-15 September - RGS Primary School Musical “Madagascar”

Vale

Lindesay Jones (RGS 1954 and 1955) was a former State Organiser and Assistant Secretary of ALP (Qld); and Life Member of the Australian Labor Party and South Brisbane Branch. Lindesay joined the Labor Party in 1959. He stood, unsuccessfully, in 1974 for the seat of

Lockyer, and in 1980 for Toowoomba North. He served as an Alderman on the Toowoomba City Council for six years in the late 1970s. From 1988 Jones worked in various positions in

the ALP including as the State Organiser, and then as Assistant State Secretary, until 1996. Together with his wife Norma Jones they were

key leaders of reform in Toowoomba leading to the 1980 federal intervention in the Queensland branch of the ALP. Lindesay was a true advocate for social justice and an extraordinary campaigner, and in tributes to the late party member, the Queensland Labor Party said “the Party is indebted to him for his loyal and active service on behalf of working people and the Australian Labor Party.”Lindsay Gordon Bauer Jones was born on 19

December 1939 in Blackall, Queensland, where he attended the Blackall Primary School and later Rockhampton Grammar School.Lindesay attended RGS in 1954 and 1955. He

returned to RGS in Term 1 1956 before having to return to the family home in Blackall when the shearers strike occured, a profession his father worked in.In 1959 Lindsay commenced teacher training at

the Kelvin Grove Teachers’ Training College and later completed his Bachelor of Education at the Kelvin Grove College of Advanced Education.

He took up his first teaching post at New Farm State School, before moving to Cannon Hill. In 1963 he was appointed to teach at Toowoomba Grammar School and worked for the Queensland Department of Education 1982-88.Lindsay Jones held many positions in the ALP

including: Member of the QCE; Secretary of the Rules Committee, State Organiser and Assistant State Secretary.He is a Life Member of the ALP and was awarded

a Centenary Medal in 2000 for his contribution to sport in recognition of his involvement in athletics training, fitness, football and hockey.

Vale