A century of Toowoomba Grammar School's Old Chemistry Laboratory

It remains a very important and significant building within our School, even a hundred years on. The year 1924, was a little over five years after the end of the World War I, Australia’s Prime Minister was Stanley Bruce, the Queensland Premier was Ted Theodore and the State’s Governor was on hand for TGS’s prize giving and to officiate the start of works on the new chemistry lab.

The School had 174 students and after a highly satisfactory Inspector’s report, it was printed in the ‘Toowoomba Grammar School Magazine and Old Boys’ Register’ that TGS had established itself as a leading school.

Another excerpt from the School’s magazine detailed the much-anticipated laying of the foundation stone for the New Chemistry Laboratory.

“The Laboratory was to be of brick and would cost some £1200, half of which the Government had promised to supply later on. The School authorities desired the citizens to regard it as their possession and to utilise it. It was hoped that its benefits would extend not only to Old Boys but to any in the town who wished to prosecute further their study of Chemistry.

His Excellency, in declaring the stone well and truly laid, expressed the hope that the foundation stone would be symbolic of the foundation of increased knowledge in science and of increased prosperity throughout Queensland. He accepted the silver trowel with interest and gratitude.

The magazine also noted that several hundred were present in beautiful weather to witness Sir Matthew speak of the hope that the laboratory would “set a distinct scientific seal on the Toowoomba Grammar School and that in the second half century of its existence it may be known as a training ground of the best scientific thought of the State, whence young men will go on to our Queensland University to become great chemists and physicists and so help to secure pre-eminence in our Australian industries”.

The building is now the home to the Museum and Archives, a wonderful and meticulously curated collection of the history of TGS. The refurbishment of this building for the purpose of preserving our history was made possible by the generosity TGS Old Boys’ Association.

2006

"A major objective of the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association over the next two years is the conversion of the building which is situated adjacent to Old Hall and known as the 'Old Chem Lab' or 'Q Store' to a School Museum.

A small structure will be constructed adjacent to this building to store the School's archival material. In all things relating to the history of the School, I rely on the knowledge of ex-teacher Mr John Winn, fondly known by Old Boys from the years 1963-1997 as 'Jungie'.

As the School's part-time archivist, Mr Winn provides me with a wonderful link to the School's past. Its practices and its values.

The OBA has committed to funding the refurbishment of the Old Chemistry Laboratory into a School Museum so that the history of the School can be appropriately displayed for visiting Old Boys and to provide an appreciation of the School's history to both our current boys and the general public.

Construction will begin in early 2007 and we have already started to prepare the School's collection of archives for preservation and display. The Association was successful in obtaining a Federal Community Heritage Grant which will assist in the identification and preservation of our nationally and locally significant heritage collection."

2007

"A major project of the Old Boys' Association for 2007 has been the planning for the construction of a storage building to house the School archive collection and the refurbishment of the old Jubilee Chemistry Laboratory behind Old Hall into the School Museum.

The members of the Management Committee of the Old Boys are to be congratulated on their commitment to this project. Mrs Ellen Morosini who works in the School's Development and Enrolments Office was successful in preparing a submission to the Australian National Library for a community heritage grant.

The OBA was successful for a second year in a row in obtaining a Federal Community Heritage Grant from the National Library in Canberra. This Grant will finance the purchase of archive storage material and the running of workshops for volunteers to learn how to preserve and catalogue the Collection. We will be looking for volunteers next year to attend these workshops and to help with the transfer of the Collection from its current home in the School Library to the new Museum."

2008

"The fine work (of the new Old Boys' Building, which incorporates the School Museum) is being accomplished by a team of dedicated volunteers who visit on a weekly basis, and often far more frequently, to assist in the preservation of our memorabilia. These volunteers have completed courses conducted by a Queensland Museum representative, Mrs Vicki Warden, who has trained them in preservation procedures which are relevant to such items as School photographs and publications.

One can readily appreciate the extent of their work when it is realised that every page of every publication housed in this building must be individually and carefully dusted down prior to storage.

During the year I had the pleasure of appointing Mrs Denise Miller to the position of part-time Curator of the School Museum, in company with staff member Mrs Ellen Morosini who has contributed much to this project, our Queensland Museum representative and the keen and productive team of volunteers.

I am pleased to report that construction, internal fitting-out and landscaping have been completed and the myriad of School Archives have been moved into the building.

Mrs Miller is currently overseeing a dedicated band of volunteers who are cleaning, cataloguing and accessioning items to be displayed. Our aim is to have an Official Opening of the Museum on Sunday, 31 May 2009, coinciding with Old Boys' Weekend.

Our complete set of School Magazines is also being digitised so they will be available for reproduction in future years."

2009

"A major achievement of the Old Boys' Association this year was the opening of the School Museum and Old Boys' Building on Sunday, 31 May. A number of distinguished guests were present including Mr Hugh Rose, Mrs Marion Dent and some of the Dent children. The granddaughter of Headmaster Charles Corfe (1890-1900) was also present, as were three granddaughters of our seventh Headmaster George Pitty Barbour (1910-35).

Mrs Miller retired several years ago but is now the part-time Curator of the Museum.

Her extensive knowledge of the School and its history, combined with her love of the School, have contributed to her managing one of the best school museums in the country. She has been ably assisted in the task by an enthusiastic and dedicated band of volunteers who all share close ties to the School as either Old Boys, past mothers, or past members of staff.

Upon the opening of the Old Boys' Building, the Old Boys' Association noted it as a triumph.

"Undoubtedly the highlight of our achievements this year would be the completion and opening of the Old Boys' Building, a building which features the School Museum and Archives. Built with funds provided by our Association, Toowoomba Grammar School now has a unique state-of-the-art facility to display memorabilia of our past and to store the growing collection that history brings to us."

Special thanks go to some very talented TGS staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to ensure this facility's success. Old Boys, when you visit the Old Boys' Building you will be suitably impressed by what has been achieved.

Volunteers

• July 2007 Margaret Jones, Russell Gillies, John Handley, Leona Morton, Jack Doyle, Don Trenerry and Sue Palmer
• 2008 Ross Jurgs
• 2009 Laura Vandersee
• 2013 Judy Gillies and Lin O'Sullivan
• 2021 Ann Hallam
• 2024 Margaret Jones, John Handley, Sue Palmer, Judy Gillies, Lin O'Sullivan and Ann Hallam

We are forever thankful for the time and effort spent by our wonderful volunteers who continue to care for our School's archives and historical memorabilia, it's more than an undertaking, it's a passion.

Head of Department - Science, Mr Andrew Fogarty, himself a TGS Old Boy (1997-03) leads a team of exceptional teachers and today's Senior Science laboratory is a modern teaching facility with state-of-the-art equipment.

To give you a taste of Chemistry in 2024 here's the subject summary from our Curriculum Handbook 2025-26.

Chemistry is the study of materials and their properties and structure.

Students study atomic theory, chemical bonding, and the structure and properties of elements and compounds. They explore intermolecular forces, gases, aqueous solutions, acidity and rates of reaction. They study equilibrium processes and redox reactions.

They explore organic chemistry, synthesis and design to examine the characteristic chemical properties and chemical reactions displayed by different classes of organic compounds.

Students develop their appreciation of chemistry and its usefulness; understanding of chemical theories, models and chemical systems; expertise in conducting scientific investigations. They critically evaluate and debate scientific arguments and claims in order to solve problems and generate informed, responsible and ethical conclusions, and communicate chemical understanding and findings through the use of appropriate representations, language and nomenclature.

Students learn and apply aspects of the knowledge and skills of the discipline (thinking, experimentation, problem-solving and research skills), understand how it works and how it may impact society.

A course of study in Chemistry can establish a basis for further education and employment in the fields of forensic science, environmental science, engineering, medicine, pharmacy and sports science.

Objectives:

• investigate phenomena
• evaluate conclusions, claims and processes
• describe ideas and findings
• apply understanding
• analyse data
• interpret evidence.

With a century since the Old Chem Lab's foundation stone was laid, we continue to seek to provide our students with excellent facilities and the current works at our campus are a testament to that.

Our current Senior Science laboratories give our students the chance to achieve their very best and offer even more opportunities with a plethora of state-of-the-art spaces for our boys to learn.