You will often hear our TGS Old Boys say how important their TGS connections are.

They will tell tales of meeting someone on the other side of the world whom they spotted wearing a TGS cap. It led to an instant connection. Of getting their dream job by simply proudly sporting a TGS Old Boy tie at the interview. It led to an instant connection.

There is no denying that Toowoomba Grammar School students share a special bond. We celebrate it with our annual Old Boys’ Sons and Grandsons photo and our Old Boys’ Generations Gathering dinner. You see it in the playground at lunchtime, as the boys walk together, having a laugh and enjoying the day. You see it on the sporting field and the sidelines, when they cheer encouragement and celebrate the victories with the war cries that have been passed down from generation to generation, or when they support their mates so compassionately in defeat. You see it at assemblies when boys are applauded like rockstars for an amazing academic achievement.

This connection is like an unspoken code, where the boys of the Blue and Gold look out for one another well beyond the school gates. They are proud of where they have come from and of the history and traditions that they have shared. Watching the young boys on a daily basis and then listening to the stories of the Old Boys, it is true that the Blue and Gold runs through their veins.

It comes as no surprise then that the heritage and connections of Year 11 boarder, George Swanson rate a special mention. He is the great-great-great grandson of George “Pitty” Barbour, who was the longest serving Headmaster at TGS from 1910 to 1935. Mr Barbour was credited with making substantial new improvements to the School’s facilities, including a swimming pool, new ovals and science laboratories. TGS became part of the GPS Association in 1918, which started the School’s sporting achievement. The boys’ academic successes also improved under his leadership and he supported many of the boys and the local community through World War I.

Young George’s claim to fame doesn’t stop there. He’s also related by marriage to another one of the School’s most notable students, General Sir Henry (Harry) Chauvel (1880-82). Sir Henry is one of Australia’s most lauded military figures. He fought at Gallipoli and in the Middle East during World War I and was the
first Australian to attain the rank of Lieutenant General and later General. He was also the first Australian to lead a corps, the Desert Mounted Corps. They were responsible for the Battle of Beersheba, one of the most decisive victories in Australian military history. And what does George think of these special connections?

Well, like most typical 16-year-olds, he doesn’t have much to say except to grin humbly and say, “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

The Barbour/Chauvel Family Tree


Latest Blog

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Thursday, 11 July 2024

Correcting our School's official record commemorating World War I and World War II

On the eve of our 150th year, we're calling on the School's alumni, parents, past parents and greater community to aid us in correcting the record of our involvement in two watershed geopolitical events of the 20th century. For the last four years Toowoomba Grammar School Museum Volunteers, Mrs Ann Hallam and Mrs Sue Palmer, have been updating the School records on Old Boys, staff and Trustees for the World War I and World War II theatres of war. Over the years several staff and volunteers have…

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Monday, 01 July 2024

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Thursday, 13 June 2024

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Thursday, 06 June 2024

Aussie Teen Reading Habits Revealed

I was recently sent an article, summarising some research from Deakin University around the reading habits of teens in 2024. Some of it was, as the title suggests, surprising. Some was not. However, all of it was built around the importance of reading, and supporting our teens to read, which is something that every one of us should do. While we tend to see our teens as digital natives, recent research from Deakin University suggests that the average Aussie teen reader would rather flick through…

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Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Now More Than Ever

The one-of-a-kind Indigenous artwork is emblazoned across the shirts for the First IV Tennis team, jerseys for the First XI Football team and First XV Rugby team and First V Basketball team's singlets. National Reconciliation Week is a significant date on the calendar for all Australians, running from Monday, 27 May to Monday, 3 June. The incorporation of this Indigenous design in our uniforms is a significant milestone for our School, especially for our 47 Aboriginal and Torres Strait…

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Thursday, 23 May 2024

It's a numbers game, making mathematics mainstream

Term 2 has been a busy one in the Mathematics department; from multiple year levels having extended assessment tasks to competitions run inside and outside the School. Using mathematical equations to recreate artwork The Year 11 Mathematical Methods students got a chance to be very creative with their assessment - using numbers to reproduce artwork. The boys visited the 2024 Grammar Art Show in Term 1 and were given the task to reproduce a chosen work using their knowledge of mathematical…

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Boarding
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Thursday, 16 May 2024

Bucolic beginnings, boarding and becoming a bowel surgeon

Coming from a cattle property near Injune I was in awe of the School’s ovals with lush, green grass and immaculate facilities. I found being able to throw yourself around and not risk skin cuts and grazes quite novel. Sharing the same field where many Old Boys and past heroes trotted was inspirational. I found the comradery among the boarders my most overwhelming memory. It was like having 60 brothers with similar interests all living under the same roof. There was always someone around to kick…

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Wednesday, 08 May 2024

Our Other Mother

Meet Ms Janelle Fletcher, the House Mum of Corfe, whose journey at TGS began back in 1992 as an instrumental music teacher. Her story is one of deep connections, love for the arts and an unshakeable bond with the students of TGS. From the time that Janelle first stepped onto campus and shared her musical talents with young minds to now creating her own “mum moments” in Corfe — she has nurtured a profound sense of community and established connections that have lasted through generations. Her…

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The Arts
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Wednesday, 01 May 2024

Fostering a creative generation and getting exhibited at GoMA

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