“Keep doing what you love and the opportunities will present themselves.”— Clancy Sinnamon
Clancy Sinnamon (2009–2013) is more than just a filmmaker. He’s a chronicler of moments, a weaver of stories and an inspiration for aspiring creatives, particularly those in regional communities.
From his days as a boarding student at Toowoomba Grammar School, where he first dipped his toes into the world of filming GPS sporting events, to his current roles as sports documentarian and founder of the Outback Film Club, Clancy’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.
The echoes of school war cries reverberating around the Chandler Aquatic Centre in 2011 marked the start of Clancy’s cinematic journey. Capturing that moment ignited a spark within him, a passion for storytelling through the lens of a camera. Encouraged by mentors like Student Officer Mr Matthew Harrison, who nurtured his talent and pushed him to perfect his craft, Clancy embarked on a journey leading him to Bond University, where he found a community of like-minded individuals who shared his love for film.
Clancy’s career took flight during a globetrotting stint filming the Australian men’s national cricket team, a dream opportunity for a cricket fanatic like himself. However, the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 brought his adventures to an abrupt halt. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, Clancy found new avenues to explore. He channelled his energy into creating his first feature film, The Smiths, a project that showcased his talent and marked a homecoming to TGS — the original concept for the film was shown at Assembly 10 years earlier.
But Clancy’s ambitions extended beyond his career aspirations; he was determined to pay it forward and inspire the next generation of rural filmmakers. This drive led him back to his roots. He held workshops at Toowoomba Grammar School and eventually founded the Outback Film Club. Through this initiative, Clancy has brought the magic of filmmaking to remote communities across Queensland, empowering over 100 students to explore their creative potential.
For Clancy, filmmaking is more than just a career. It’s a calling, a passion that fuels his resilience in the face of challenges. Whether he’s documenting the Australian men’s national cricket team, making feature films or mentoring young filmmakers in regional Australia, Clancy’s unwavering dedication to his craft serves as an example for aspiring creatives everywhere. As he eagerly awaits the release of Season 3 of The Test on Amazon Prime, Clancy reflects on his journey with gratitude and humility, “I’d like to think that after going through all those difficult times, I’ve come out the other side more resilient.”
Clancy advises students, “Keep doing what you love, and the opportunities will present themselves.” He believes wholeheartedly that non-traditional careers can pay off, “I’m sure that if my teachers reflect on my career choice, they’d know I’ve taken the right path.”
He believes wholeheartedly that non-traditional careers can pay off, “I’m sure that if my teachers reflect on my career choice, they’d know I’ve taken the right path.” In the tapestry of Clancy Sinnamon’s life, each frame tells a story of resilience, determination and unwavering passion — a story that continues to inspire countless others to pursue their dreams, no matter where they may lead.
Latest Blog
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
Pedal Power: The TGS Mountain Bike Club
What started with 12 boys now has 90, with many of the riders racing in the Schools Academy Gravity Enduro Series and other events. We also have a tour of 20 boys going to Thredbo in December this year, where they will tackle some of the most exciting trails in Australia. We thank the wonderful group of parents who support the club. They can often be found driving vehicles up and down the range on a Sunday morning to support the boys. We would not have been as successful as we are without…
Beyond the Blue and Gold
Our focus is to work with each individual student to assist in creating awareness of the world of work, helping students to articulate their interests and identifying what is important to them and their values. We assist the boys in developing the skills to explore the different careers out there. We connect them with employers and industry professionals and help them navigate towards the job or career they are interested in. We work hard to individualise each student’s unique School journey to…
Character and Wellbeing – The Grammar Way
Legacy of Leadership: The Impact of John Mackintosh at Toowoomba Grammar School Toowoomba Grammar School’s first Headmaster, John Mackintosh (1876–1879) led the School with the demeanour of a typical Victorian father figure. His leadership was steadfast and nurturing, with decisions that were definitive and meticulously aimed at creating an environment that was conducive to a boy’s character and learning outcomes. Mackintosh introduced recreational activities such as chess and draughts…
2024 IBSC Conference
It is part of our Strategic Plan's People Pillar which is "build a high-performing culture that supports the wellbeing and development of staff, who exemplify the TGS values and share our commitment to the growth of our boys". In fact, that focus was acknowledged in our receiving The Educator’s 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice award. The Award acknowledges excellence in providing professional development opportunities and nurturing a culture of inclusion and respect. So it was with great pleasure…
Filmmaker, Storyteller and Visionary
From his days as a boarding student at Toowoomba Grammar School, where he first dipped his toes into the world of filming GPS sporting events, to his current roles as sports documentarian and founder of the Outback Film Club, Clancy’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Establishing Outback Film Club has been a real triumph The echoes of school war cries reverberating around the Chandler Aquatic Centre in 2011 marked the start of Clancy’s cinematic journey.…
A Cut Shot Above The Rest
Ben’s sport takes him to the best beaches on the planet, but his love of volleyball began back at Toowoomba Grammar School, inspired after seeing his older brother play. As Ben explains, he was hooked:
