Our Old Boys have such diverse career paths; we are so proud of the good young men they become and how they make meaningful contributions to their communities. Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as an average student who had no idea what he wanted to do after school. But drawing on the TGS values of hard work, respect and resilience he is now working as a Sound Engineer for Barking Owl in New York City, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and actors. He kindly took some time from his busy schedule for a quick Q&A…
- What is your favourite memory from your time at school - I do think the friends you make at school are your lifelong mates even if you’re too young to realise it at the time.
- How did your time at TGS help you with your career - I really had no idea what I wanted to do after school or what my career would look like. I did a broad range of classes that really didn't steer me towards any particular career path, but gave me a grounding in a variety of subjects and skills. I did learn guitar at TGS and I am still as bad as I was at School.
- How did you become interested in this work and what led to your employment with Barking Owl - I've always loved music and film and I come from a musical family with a strong love of music. Though I didn't really acknowledge it at the time, it was obviously instrumental in forming my interest and skills in this area.
- What’s some of the highlights of your career - I’m still very much on the smaller end of the American industry but in 2022 I completed the sound design and mix for the Pepsi Superbowl trailer with Dr Dre, Snoop and Kendrick Lamar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ2MbmrxVzg.
I have recorded dialogue for feature films such as A Quiet Place 2, DC Super Pets, Under the Skin and Disney’s Jungle Cruise. I've had a song placed on the official Sing 2 soundtrack, as well as mixing Flume's first official documentary. I also get to work alongside notable composers such as Grammy and Oscar-winner Atticus Ross, who works for Barking Owl.
- Did you ever dream you would have these connections or opportunities
- I’m not sure I ever expected to end up in NYC, it's a long way from Toowoomba. I’m lucky that my career has taken me to London and to New York City and each time you just climb a tiny bit further up the ladder. It has a lot to do with luck, the ability to hang in there when the going gets tough and trying to be the last person standing in a really competitive industry. I believe that coming from a small town like Toowoomba does give you the drive to get out there and see the world more so than if you were brought up in a bigger city with everything on your doorstep.
- What’s some of the values that you learnt at TGS that have helped shape you and helped in your life - I enjoyed the social and sport elements of School and staff always encouraged us to get involved in, and experience, a range of activities. Even though I didn’t engage in the Drama or Music programs, I do remember some of the School performances and I believe they opened my eyes to those different aspects of the Arts.
- What’s your advice to current TGS students - I do think working out what you want to do after school is important but there are multiple pathways to success and what you want to achieve. My parents had some unnecessary stress about me finishing school and having no idea what I wanted to do. I would really suggest just trying to work towards getting into university for anything. Even though I didn't get the grades for university and went to the School of Audio Engineering (SAE), I lived on the UQ campus and loved the college lifestyle and the people I met.
College life is a lot of fun!! As cliché as it sounds, you’ll look back on those memories as some of the best years of your life. My advice is to sit down with the Careers Advisor early and have an honest conversation about what you want to achieve after school. If anyone needs advice on how to get into this industry, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.
When you’re at School it seems big and overwhelming, but it really is just such a small blip in your life so try and enjoy it. Seeing the world when you are younger really is a lifechanging experience.
Latest Blog
NZ Rugby Tour success, more than winning matches across the Ditch
The teams were undefeated and it was a trip the players will never forget. This tour was years in the making and heralds a new era of touring and hosting different rugby schools to give our players opportunities for growth as athletes and as people. Head of Sport - Rugby, Mr Lincoln Clapham, explained they selected 46 students to take part in the ten-day tour and began training last year. From Term 1 onwards, the squad trained twice weekly on the oval plus two and sometimes three gym sessions…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Fostering a creative generation and getting exhibited at GoMA
2023 Visual Arts student Ben Rosenberg (TGS 2019-2023) had his film “Mitchell” selected and it's now on display as part of the 2024 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art at GoMA. For 30 years the Awards have recognised and promoted excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland schools. Secondary schools typically enter the work of up to four Senior students. Previous winners from TGS include Sam McCosker (2013) and Austin Reed (2017). Ben is a filmmaker and…
In memory of Light Horse Field Ambulances
Toowoomba Grammar School would like to acknowledge our admiration for the loyalty, service and bravery exhibited by TGS Old Boys who so valiantly served. We are all the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and their selfless actions continue to inspire a spirit of service amongst our current students. Today we focus on the contribution of one TGS Old Boy who made a significant contribution to World War I. Here is some of the incredible story of Major Avery, DSO and if you visit the School Museum…
New Caledonia, new horizons and travel through an educational lens
The opportunity to travel not only opens doors to new experiences but also fosters an increased intercultural understanding and empathy, both essential qualities for navigating and existing within our diverse world. For a group of language students travelling to New Caledonia, our recent French Language and Cultural Tour was a unique opportunity for such experiential learning, where language acquisition went beyond just learning vocabulary and grammar - and instead became a gateway to connect…
