Toowoomba Grammar 150 Gala Dinner

Member for Toowoomba North, Mr Trevor Watts MP; Federal Member for Groom, Mr Garth Hamilton MP; Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Geoff McDonald and Councillors; Toowoomba Grammar School Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr Barry O’Sullivan; Principal, Dr John Kinniburgh; current and former staff; G150 Chair, Mr Bronte Smith; parents and carers, students and supporters; distinguished guests. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we are gathered, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this evening. 

I am delighted to be with you tonight, to celebrate the remarkable 150-year anniversary of Toowoomba Grammar School, which holds such a special place in the development of education in our state.  

When, on the 5th of August 1875 Justice Lilley attended the laying of the school’s foundation stone, he remarked that “the greatest gift that could be bestowed upon a nation was education”. 

The community, too, saw a real need to establish a local day and boarding school that could provide a quality, holistic Grammar education to the growing population, especially where distance made such schooling inaccessible. 

They understood that the boys it benefitted would have an immense influence on the future prosperity of the entire state.  
Very soon after the school’s founding, an article in The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser stated that “in no other instance in the whole history of the colony has any cause been so nobly supported”. 

There can be no doubt that Toowoomba Grammar School has ensured that generations of boys have left here not only well-equipped academically, but as capable young men who are ready to take on this ever-changing world. 

A vibrant spirit of community is among the key traditions that has made this school so successful.  

TGS was built on the vision and actions of local people—with graziers, business and townspeople contributing generously to the call to raise funds to see it realised.  

Through changing times and fortunes, TGS has remained true to its foundational objectives, and is renowned for providing excellence in education, in a welcoming and nurturing environment, where boys—from far and wide—are given diverse opportunities to develop both their skills and their sense of self, as they move from Prep to Year 12.  

Under the expert guidance of its 16 Headmasters, past and present—a number of whom are with us this evening—and overseen by its dedicated Executive, Board of Trustees and many incredible teachers, TGS has always innovated to ensure students are better prepared for the future. 

To this end, next year will see the opening of two new state-of-the-art buildings—the Design, Engineering and Technology Centre, and the Agriculture and Industry Centre. 

Both of these facilities—along with the launch of the visionary TGX education program—will deliver industry-relevant and future-focussed learning, that encourages entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and the ability to address real-world challenges.  

I am sure you are looking forward to seeing these projects come to life, just as, back in February 1877, those first 44 students must have been so excited to walk through the doors of the newly completed School House. 

This evening, while I commend all who have worked for the school, I also acknowledge the enthusiasm and passion of the Old Boys, the Parents and Friends’ Association and Supporters’ Groups, families nationwide, and the generous sponsors and donors in the community who are champions for TGS and what it represents. 

It is this tremendous sense of fellowship that has kept this school strong, and which will continue to see TGS deliver the “great gift of education” to many more generations of boys.  
Congratulations everyone, and enjoy your evening!