The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003.

Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable lives consistent with the time-honoured values of integrity, loyalty, honesty, compassion, respect for others and recognition of the value of effective teamwork. The School seeks to develop these qualities in the current students so that they will mature into good men.

The current students are also encouraged to aspire to do as well as they can in their chosen fields of endeavour. The various plaques on the Wall of Achievement serve as exemplars, telling students to dream big and show pride in their School and the achievements of its past students.

Amongst the former TGS students listed on the Wall of Achievement are:

  • The inventor of the rapid transit galloping ambulance used during World War One.
  • Rhodes Scholars.
  • The Dental Surgeon by appointment to the Royal Family of the United Kingdom.
  • An internationally acclaimed magician.
  • Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games representatives.
  • Diplomats.
  • An internationally renowned photographer.
  • The Commander of the 5th Light Horse Brigade who was also the first Australian to reach the rank of General.
  • A Commonwealth Attorney-General.
  • A recipient of a United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights award.
  • A recipient of a gold medal for bravery by the Royal Humane Society of England.
  • A Junior Doubles tennis champion at Wimbledon.
  • Founders of international companies.
  • Authors, researchers and academics.
  • A captain of an Australian rugby league team.
  • A world record holder in perpetuity for the professional 440-yard sprint.
  • A captain of an Australian rugby sevens team.
  • Federal, state and local politicians.
  • CEOs of multinational firms.
  • The personal Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to King George VI of England.
  • Engineers of international repute.
  • An international concert pianist.
  • A Queen's Medallion winner for poetry.
  • Actors on the international stage.
  • A member of the World Health Organisation's Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health.
  • A Supreme Court judge.
  • A World Bank consultant.
  • A former Governor of Victoria.
  • A former Governor of New South Wales.
  • Rugby Union internationals.
  • An acting Governor-General of Australia.

All students at Toowoomba Grammar School have every reason to be proud of their School and the achievements of its Old Boys. More importantly, the current students should be proud of all Old Boys who have matured to be good men – men loyal to their family and partners, men who have displayed honesty, kindness, compassion, resilience, respect for others, respect for hard work and who made useful contributions to society.

- Mr Peter Hauser, Headmaster (2003-19)


The Wall of Achievement



Latest Blog

Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 05 Dec 2024

“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…

Read More
Boarding
/
Thursday, 28 Nov 2024

Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks

In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 14 Nov 2024

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…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 07 Nov 2024

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’…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 31 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Sports & Activities
/
Thursday, 24 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Teaching & Learning
/
Thursday, 17 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 10 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Teaching Excellence
/
Thursday, 03 Oct 2024

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…

Read More