"Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families.

After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by the end of the first term in 2025.

She herself has noted that in deciding to leave “a most special school,” “it is a cruel reality that in our leaving, we have the greatest clarity.”

It was that clarity she leaned upon as the special guest of Toowoomba Grammar School’s 148th Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony at the Empire Theatre last week.

Her prime focus in her address was to examine character, a deliberate stroke of synchronicity aligning with our School’s purpose of “educating boys and developing their good character for life.”

Below is an excerpt from Dr Linda Evans’ address:

"We seek out pinnacle moments, don’t we? Top team. Awards. Prefect. We imagine these achievements will define us, make us whole – through them, we will reach the metaphoric mountaintop. Seductively, in each pinnacle moment – whatever they are, there will be 15 seconds of pure euphoria. But, there always comes the 16th second. There has to. Have no regrets in the 16th second; achieving goals should never be paid for by the lack of attending to character."

“Have no regrets in the 16th second” is the title of the speech Kyle Martin gave at The King’s Academy’s graduation ceremony. He explains that he regrets graduating top of his class because while for 15 seconds it felt really good being named Valedictorian, on the 16th second he thought, “That’s it?!”

Through her eloquent address, Dr Evans put to the audience that it was the idea of how a person dealt with the 16^th second that makes all the difference in life.

She delved into Ancient Greek references on the definition of the word character and then pointed to some investigations of what it means as a description of one’s personal traits and that it can be your lasting legacy.

From quoting New Zealand cricketing star Daniel Vettori’s Italian grandfather’s advice on staying humble, “Keep a small head, Daniel,” and linking it to American entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn’s quote, “Do not pursue success; attract success by the person you become.”

Dr Evans stated that when she thinks of the best of the TGS graduates she has crossed paths with, she believes this is their strength. “Not just in becoming a CEO, medical specialist, media star, although many will do this… but in becoming a person of worth rather than someone seeking accolades of worth: someone of character.”

In her time at Fairholme College, she said there were twelve shared musicals and, of course, many ferocious debates, noting the last win by TGS was still quite fresh. Dr Evans also said she admired particularly Old Boy and Paralympian Jeremy Peacock (2005-09), whose family has a staff connection to Fairholme College and whose whole sporting career has been one of true grit.

She also spoke of the Sony Camp where she simply said she had seen “the best of many.”

Her address told of a recent interaction with a Year 8 student at TGS. He was part of the debating team and was guiding Dr Evans to the right classroom on the night of the grand final between our two schools. She recalled his kindness and respect, as it was evident even though it was apparent he wasn’t aware of her standing as the Fairholme College Principal.

“That’s the point, it didn’t matter - because at his core was good character,” she said.

Dr Evans spoke of her own daughter’s continued friendship with TGS Old Boy Lincoln Humphries (2002-07), a television news anchor, noted emcee, raconteur and compere and his key character traits of being socially adept, confident, and accomplished. She explained that she remembered a young man in her home, sitting at her family’s dining room table in his own 16th second. She said in that moment he was “witty, reflective and at times, uncertain, always respectful, always polite.”

Her recall was then of a man who in his life and work always maintained a strong sense of obligation as he continued to hold a deep interest and care for his peer group from TGS. She said she believes he still feels a depth of responsibility to these men, some now fathers and accomplished in their own careers.

“I have seen them celebrate their 15-second moments but walk with them into their 16th seconds and beyond. Lincoln knows what it means to leave no one behind.”

She spoke of some of her greatest achievements outside her role at Fairholme, including playing touch football for Australia, but noted raising her family with her ‘notoriously patient husband’ was what mattered most. “Above all else, these three people are my greatest loves and my greatest achievements: have no regrets in the 16th second – where life primarily sits.”

One of the sagest pieces of advice from her address was a sporting analogy: “Be the first to set foot on the field in search of your pinnacle moments, they matter, they drive us, they teach us – but also be the last to step off the field – mindful of others around you, behind you – those that need you.”

Her parting advice to students reiterated the quote, “watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”