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Distinguished Past Grammarians
Effie Hartley
Effie Hartley
The 2024 Past Grammarian Reunion was held in the ‘old dormitory’ on the first floor of School House. After the comprehensive restoration of School House, this space was officially opened and named for Effie Hartley, in October 2023.
The top floor of School House has been home to hundreds of boarders between 1888 and 2011 (see images below). It is now a wonderful open function room which can be used for both private and official functions.
The first three Headmasters of the school (Hodges, Miller & Rowland) had not been supportive of co-education.
However, in 1905, Effie Cairns Hartley was named as the first girl Dux of School. Her achievement proved to be a catalyst for change at our School. Then headmaster, Boss Rowland, shifted his reticence to enrolling girls and requested that the Board of Trustees increase the number of places available for girl students.
Mr PF Rowland is on record as stating:
“There were several girls’ schools in Townsville, and we discouraged the attendance of girls who were not ready to work. The arrangement, as a whole, proved satisfactory. Discipline was easier and with few exceptions, if boys were inclined to love affairs, the object of their affection were usually girls at other schools. It is not easy to be in love with a girl who is beating you in the class places every fortnight.”
It is clear that Townsville Grammar School owes much to the influence of Miss Hartley. As PF Rowland remarked in 1905, the gracious influence of Effie Hartley and Gladys Roberts would become a tradition in the School.
Although Effie Hartley achieved excellent results in the then Sydney University Senior Examinations (there was no University in Queensland at that time), it is unclear whether she attended University. Sydney was a long way for a girl to travel in 1906. What is known that she married Townsend Guy Pennefather Ryan in 1913 and lived on Melton Hill.
In his 1905 Speech Day report, PF Rowland, commenting on Effie Hartley said:
“In her the School offers a very real loss. No one has done more than she to render it possible the large increase in the number of girls attending this School should take place without impairing the efficiency of the work or the discipline of the playground. May her gracious influence long live as a tradition.” [sic]
The Effie Hartley Room is adjacent to our Museum Space and currently houses two archival displays:
The achievements of Pamela Sergeant, who represented Australia at the 1962 Empire Games in Perth, breaking the world record for the Women’s 100 yards backstroke. She was also swam the backstroke leg for the record breaking Australian 4 x 100 yard medley relay in a team which included Australian icon, Dawn Fraser.
The other display honours the six Past Grammarians who lost their lives on the beaches at Gallipoli in1915.
Alexander Madden Foot, Henry Daintree Foot, John Inglis Smith, Donald Neil MacGregor, Henry William Tillidge and John Francis Walsh, all paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Gallipoli campaign. Also included in that display is the Lee-Enfield rifle used by Alexander and Henry Foots brother, George Pierce Foot. The rifle was donated to the School in 2021 by the Wilton family.
If any Past Grammarians have information to share regarding Effie Hartley, Gladys Roberts, Pam Sergeant or other interesting past students, we would be most grateful. Please email to [email protected]
Past Grammarians who would like to visit/revisit the School Museum, the Effie Hartley Room (to see the current displays or their old boarding dormitory) are invited to contact Dee Kirkman on 07 4722 4910 to make an appointment.
Evan Fisher
Evan Fisher, who had enrolled in 1953, was appointed a prefect in 1958, the year Greg Hayden was the Head Prefect. Also in his class was Keith DeLacy, Peter Wetherell and John Sourrys. I am sure that they and others will remember Evan and his poem.
Evan remembers that, during the course of 1958, Headmaster Maurie Blank suspended all the prefects for “being too rowdy in the showers after Gym”.
The very first cyclone that was tracked on radar was Cyclone Agnes which passed over Townsville on 06/03/1956. Evan was a Form IV boarder in that year and recalls that when the cyclone hit
“We were having lunch in the old dining room, the veranda of which was blown away. As the eye of the storm passed over the School, we all rushed to the dormitory (School House) where one kid, Sheeny, smashed all the windows so we would not get cut by flying glass”
It is, however, a parody of ‘The Man from Snowy River’ (all 26 verses) that Evan wrote that will really mark his place in the history of Townsville Grammar School.
The Man From Proserpine- by Evan Fisher 1958
There was movement in the kitchen, for the word had passed around
That the mince for Friday week had got away,
And had run from in the kitchen, we’ll starve if it’s not found
But Mrs. Cook won’t let it get away.
She gathered every boarder from every dormit’ry
They spread across the school-ground wide,
Mrs. Cook watches glumly from the side.
There was Pearson II, who makes a try at anything we get,
A boarder of the age-old, standard type,
And few can eat beside him when he gets properly set,
He’ll eat the rice or even stew that’s slightly over-ripe.
A better eater never sat a tea,
And a meal that wouldn’t turn him no-one else could ever stand,
He learnt to eat in pig-styes, so we see.
And one was there, a stripling, with a small and pigeon-chest,
He was something like a mouse but under-sized
With a touch of Mongolian, three parts Aussie at the best,
And such as are by boarders never praised.
There was madness in his quick impatient glance-
He bore the badge of “boarder” by the dragging of his tread
And the nervousness and mistrust in his stance.
But still so slightly and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay
And Mrs. Cook said, “Boy you’ll never do
For such a dangerous mission you’d best call it a day,
That mince is far too strong for such as you.”
So he waited, sad and hungry, only Hindsy stood his friend,
“I think we ought to let him come,” he said,
“I warrant he’ll be with us at the feasting at the end
For he too is a boarder and he too is seldom fed.
He comed from Proserpine, down along the coast away,
Where conditions are as bad and more than rough,
Where the food is chained at nightfall to ensure it doesn’t stray,
And the man who isn’t sick is good enough.
And the man who inhabitants on this stuff make their meal-
Where the food to be believed, has to be seen-
I have seen full many eaters from Yass to Cammoweal,
But never yet such eaters have I seen.
So he went. They found the angry mince down by the mini-range,
It raced away towards great Castle Hill,
Mrs. Cook gave out her orders ”Try working for a change?”
And Hayden, you stop loafing-lazy dill.
And Brosman you must wheel it, try and wheel it to the right,
Run gamely lad and never fear the smell,
For never yet was a boarder could keep the mince in sight,
If once it gained the shelter of the Townsville water well.
So Brosman ran to wheel it, he was racing on the wing,
Where the hungriest of boarders take their place,
He race right up And past it, and he made the echoes ring
With the rattle of a ladle, as he met it face to face.
It halted for a moment, it saw the ladle, cursed,
But it saw the hill-side also full in view,
It raced around the ladle, in tricks it was well-versed,
And off to Stanley Street it swiftly flew.
And fast the boarders followed, and Mrs. Cook was wild,
Because she thought she’d never get it back,
The boarders woke up Morrie, and he was really wild,
He told them they’d be gated if they didn’t find its track.
And flowing, rolling, slopping, the wild mince held its lead,
Along the road and up the scenic drive,
And Mrs. Cook said fiercely, “The boarders shall not feed,
No man can catch that mince while its alive.”
When they reached the slopes of Castle Hill, even Brosman sadly stopped,
The smell would make the bravest hold their breath.
The spinifex grew thickly and the ground holes were stopped.
With wild–rissole traps and every slip was death.
But Dudley Smith of Proserpine let hunger get the best,
And he yodelled as he swung his ladle round,
As he saw the mince escaping he raced before the rest,
With long loping strides he ran across the ground.
He frightened all the rissoles but they didn’t int’rest him,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
With a wild colonial yodel that was his battle hymn,
Dude Smith raced up the rugged mountain side;
Through the gagging smell of mince-meat, the killer of many men,
Up the slope he carelessly did go,
He was close behind the mince, he was nearly master then –
If dude could master anything you’d never know.
He was rolling the gravy as he went down the other slope,
And the boarders on the hill-side, standing mute,
Saw him ply the ladle fiercely, but they almost gave up hope,
As off he raced again in hard pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment in the haze of meat and dust
At the bottom – but a final glimpse reveals,
On a dim and distant mud flat, with his ladle and a crust,
Dude Smith behind the mince, then on its heels.
And he ran it single-handed till it was less than grease,
He followed like a boarder on its track,
Till it halted, stale and dusty – we knew that it must cease,
But then Dude Smith, the fool, he brought it back.
The boarders were not happy, they thought him just a clot,
For he brought back the stuff they wouldn’t eat.
He was covered in the gravy, his ladle burned red-hot,
And the smell that rose would knock you off your feet.
And now at Townsville Grammar, where the boarders clank their chains,
And the food is just as bad, or even worse,
The boarders talk of murder – done best in darkened lanes –
And even then they spare Dude Smith a curse,
For the mince was later punished by three weeks in solit’ry,
By then it had regained its strength, and twice as strong,
And if you don’t believe it, just come tonight for tea,
But brother, if you’re wise, you won’t stay long.
Disclaimer:- This is thankfully not the same Mrs Cook (RIP), nor a relative, who served as our Catering Supervisor/Manager from 2002 - 2015. The fare she served the boarders and the food served today is of a far, far higher quality.
It is so important for us to record and share the rich history of our school. It is important that our history is not lost. We welcome Past Grammarians to share their stories, especially those that are uplifting. Please feel free to send in your recollections to [email protected] so your history becomes a part of our history.
Agnes McWhinney
Every year Townsville Grammar School awards the Agnes McWhinney Prize for Legal Studies - an award named for a significant woman in the history of Townsville Grammar School and the Queensland law fraternity.
The Queensland Law Society also has an annual award named after her. The Agnes McWhinney Award is named after Queensland’s first admitted female solicitor, a Townsville Grammar School graduate. The award recognises a female lawyer who has forged new pathways for themselves, their peers and/or those that they serve through a commitment to excellence, equity, professionalism, and service to the community. A fitting tribute this amazing young woman and a trail blazer in the law profession.
From Ravenswood Junction (now Mingela), Agnes McWhinney enrolled at Townsville Grammar School in 1906, along with only two other girls (JW Bell & FE Masterton). Very little is known about her school career. Agnes won the egg and spoon race at the 1906 Sports Carnival but there is no record of her winning any academic prizes or participating in school cultural pursuits. She must, however, have been a good student. She desperately wanted to study medicine when she graduated from school however the nearest medical school was in Sydney and travel, accommodation and tuition were very expensive.
Agnes was convinced by her brother to pursue law. In 1910, Wilson and Ryan accepted her as an articled clerk, a revolutionary appointment.
In 1910 the local law firm of Wilson, Ryan and Grose took the radical step of admitting Agnes as an articled clerk. She repaid the faith the firm had shown in her by being admitted to the bar on the 7th of December, 1915. This in itself is a remarkable achievement as the Queensland Act allowing women to practice had been passed in 1905. It took ten years for the first woman to reach that level.
Dr Gibson-Wilde, in her history of Wilson, Ryan and Grose, writes that Agnes was a remarkable and strong-minded young woman with confidence in her own ability. Her decision to enter the legal profession met with opposition from a wide variety of sources and there were attempts to obstruct her admission to the bar. In spite of this opposition her drive and determination prevailed, and she won through.
Agnes McWhinney was admitted to practise as a solicitor on 7 December 1915 as the first ‘Lady Solicitor’ in Queensland despite the fact that Justice (Pope Cooper) of the Northern Supreme Court of Queensland disliked the idea of women entering the legal profession.
Townsville Grammar School is justifiably proud of the achievements of so many of its graduates and especially those who have chosen to challenge themselves and conventions to change their communities, professions, and the world they live it.
In 1920 Agnes married Lowell Mason Osborne and moved to life on a farm. She never practiced law again. She became heavily involved in community affairs for the rest of her life. She died in 1985, aged 94.
Past Grammarians are encouraged to add stories to the rich tapestry that is the history of Townsville Grammar School. Please feel free to share stories about people, places and events with us. You are welcome to visit your alma mater, contact the Marketing and Engagement Department (4722 4910) to arrange a tour of the school.
Information and stories can be emailed to [email protected]
Gertrude Pohlmeyer (Polly)
Polly - Townsville Grammar Schools first feminist?
Life at Townsville Grammar School for girls was, in the early years, tough according to Kim Allen (author of History of Townsville Grammar School 1888 – 1988) and Bill Muller (School Archivist 2005 - 2019). Not surprisingly, there was resistance to some of the norms of the time.
Gertrude Pohlmeyer, better known as ‘Polly’ or ‘Gertie,’ was one of a handful of girls who were enrolled during the late 1920s and early 1930s. She became the bane of legendary Headmaster Boss Rowland’s life, with her questioning of his decisions and her ongoing ‘resistance’ pranks. Boss Rowlands always admired students with spirit, and he admitted to having a grudging respect for this strong-willed young lady.
Gertrude was the daughter of Dutch parents who had fled The Netherlands in 1915. They enrolled their daughter at TGS on arrival in Townsville. Polly graduated in 1931 and was the Senior Girl Prefect in that year. She was a talented sportswoman and dramatist - and therein lay the issue. Options for participation in sport, in particular, were very restricted. Organised sport for girls was not on the agenda and facilities such as the tennis court was only available to them when not required by the boys. When using the Gym, there were no mats for the girls - in Polly’s words, “who cared if we broke our wretched little necks”. The oval was also out-of-bounds to the girls, except on ‘Colour Days’ and the annual Sports carnival.
One of Polly’s more outlandish pranks was to organise for every girl in the school to wear pink bloomers to Gym class. She was, as you may imagine, severely chastised by Boss Rowlands her part in this ‘uprising’.
The Dovecot, a building for the girls to retreat to during school breaks was particularly disliked by Polly. “… that rotten little Dovecot, about ten by eight feet … had to accommodate at least 16 girls, a wooden table and two wooden benches! We brought our own water heater for a hot drink at lunchtime”.
Polly, when addressing a school assembly in the 1980s, recounted stories about other special arrangements for the girls and their uniforms. “Our uniform? Dark blue tobralco tunics with white blouses, AND blue tobralco bloomers, AND grey ribbed cotton stockings held up by garters….” She recounted that one girl was recorded as having carried nineteen different objects stuffed into the legs her bloomers. “And we had to walk to and from the classrooms by a special roundabout way, so we would not distract the boys!”
After a year pursuing a nursing career, Polly decided that teaching was more suited to her temperament. An excellent linguist with an outgoing personality, she was to become an inspiration to the thousands of pupils she taught. Except for a few years teaching in Port Moresby, Ingham and Winton, Polly taught for nearly forty years in Townsville. The war years were spent at South Townsville, but most of her teaching career was spent at Central State School where she taught from 1956 until her retirement in 1978.
Polly was trained in the education of disabled children and regularly helped at The Endeavour Centre.
Polly, who never married, involved herself in a wide variety of cultural activities. She was a most successful actor and director of plays and became involved in the local Eisteddfod, judging and donating prizes on an annual basis. She was also an ardent supporter of the Chamber of Music and the National Trust of Australia. She donated her beautiful pewter collection to the Trust before her death. She supported local artists, buying their paintings and presenting them to southern galleries.
She was well known for her antique collection and for her hats and stylish clothing. Students taught by Polly remember clearly that she always seemed to be at the forefront of fashion and that she set a standard for others in Townsville to follow.
Gertrude Pohlmeyer passed away peacefully in Townsville in 2004. Given her love for champagne, it was fitting that a champagne flute was the centrepiece of her coffin.
Past Grammarians are encouraged to add stories to the rich tapestry that is the history of Townsville Grammar School. Please feel free to share stories about people, places and events with us. You are welcome to visit your alma mater, contact the Marketing and Engagement Department (4722 4910) to arrange a tour of the school.
Information and stories can be emailed to [email protected]
Neville Hines
I wonder how many Past Grammarians are aware that the first ever recipient of the Churchill Fellowship for engineering at JCU is a Past Grammarian? Neville may be better known to locals, especially those with military connections, as the President of the National Servicemen’s Association in Townsville.
Neville Hines attended TGS in early 1960s. After leaving school, he received a cadetship and worked for the Main Roads Department for 10 years. He was then offered a position with JCU as a Technical Officer in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, to work in their Geomechanic Laboratory. It was there that his work with Piezocone Penetrometers was recognised. Neville travelled to the USA, Canada, the UK and Netherlands in 1990. The objective was to advance the use of technology in Australia. The obvious benefits were economic in that both the time and development costs of soil exploration would be reduced.
Neville proudly served in the military reserve for 12 years (31st Battalion) and is currently President of the National Servicemen’s Association in Townsville.
Past Grammarians and others who were ex-National Servicemen are invited to contact him to join the Townsville Branch of Association for fellowship and for guidance with their welfare. Neville has visited his ‘old school’ on numerous occasions and recently introduced the concept of Post Cards of Honour to our students, a project that the school has embraced.
There are so many Past Grammarians who have, and who continue to contribute to their communities and society in diverse ways. The school is endeavoring to recognise these contributions and welcomes input from Past Grammarians.
Please feel free to email [email protected] should you have any comments or suggestions in this regard.
Malcolm Graeme Brown
One of our oldest living Past Grammarians shares his recollections. (May 2024)
Malcolm Graeme Brown (known as Graeme), is one of our oldest living Grammarians - and does he have a story to tell!
It was the influence of a new principal and the diligence of an Ingham mate and future dentist that steered Graeme Brown towards academia and a future as an electrical engineer.
Malcolm Graeme Brown, was born on 29th June 1933, and grew up in El Arish where his father Don, a former soldier, was the head-teacher at the local state school.
Three years after the end of World War II in 1948, Graeme was sent to the Townsville Grammar School for his secondary schooling.
“Enrolment in 1948 was probably about 50 boys, including six boarders and about 50-day girls,’’ Graeme recalled.
Other boarders and mates of Graeme were Eddie Keir, the top student at Tully State School, George Castriges, Saxon Maingay, Sam De Bella and Neville Healy all from Tully. From Ingham there was Syd Rovera, Roberto Cantatore and Wally Costanzo. John Craddock and John White, both from Townsville were other good mates of Graeme.
In his first year at the Grammar School in ‘48, it was all about sport for Graeme.
“The tennis court had been neglected during WWII. Crushed ant bed was delivered and spread over the surface,’’ he said. “The ant bed was watered on Friday afternoons; the court was rolled through a sheet of hessian which was progressively moved across the court. This was a Saturday morning job for matches in the afternoon.’’
Graeme and Neville Healy, (his son Ian Healy was wicket keeper for Australia), were the Tully doubles tennis champions the year before they attended the TGS, at age 13.
But it wasn’t just tennis that Graeme enjoyed.
“Soon after the start of Term 1, I attended the council sports reserve to see to former TGS student Arthur Mc Dermott play first grade cricket. It was Inspiring!’’ Graeme said.
Soon after, Arthur joined the Army after being selected for Duntroon.
“I would have probably joined the Army too if dad had encouraged it.“
Graeme and his mates John Craddick, Roberto Cantatore excelled at cricket and were chosen in the Townsville Secondary Schools rep team in 1949.
Besides cricket and tennis, Graeme also played rugby league.
“Football training was held at Queens Park across Burke Street from School House. Several of the team played in the local competition and represented Townsville at senior level.’’
After the sudden departure of Graeme’s first principal Mr Logan, (which was shrouded in rumours and was confusing for young students) a new principal, Mr Blank was appointed.
“Mr Blank was a very good teacher of maths and science subjects which is what I needed for a career in engineering,’’ Graeme said.
Mr Blank was also the rugby league coach and used to run alongside the students in training.
“The new headmaster, Mr Blank, was a blessing. In my first year at TGS, I was more interested in sport than study. ‘’
In his second year at the school, 1949, Graeme was made boarder prefect but with no previous incumbent to learn from, his new role “was somewhat a mystery to me,” he said.
“My enlightenment moment came in 2nd year; I noticed that Syd Roveda spent time on weekends studying and revising. I asked myself “Is that what I need to do?’” Graeme said.
Graeme decided to follow Syd’s example and it certainly paid off for him.
At the end of Junior exams (Grade 10) he won a Scartwater scholarship (for offspring of returned soldiers) for his senior years. Graeme was named as Dux of the school in 1951.
Besides sport, Graeme was also a keen Army Cadet whilst at Grammar.
“In 1948, TGS attended a camp at Kissing Point Barracks (Jezzine). Later camps were held at Selheim Army Camp near Charters Towers,’’ he said.
Graeme went on to attend cadet promotion camps held in Wacol Brisbane in 1948 for Corporal, 1949 for Sergeant and 1950 for Cadet Officer.
In Graeme’s time at the school the dormitory was located on the top floor of School House. Each student had a pipe framed bed and a clothes cabinet.
Every Sunday the students walked to church at St James Cathedral and were able to go to Flinders Street if they needed to shop.
After graduating from TGS, Graeme studied electrical engineering at UQ.
“Emmanual College at UQ became the preferred location for university study after TGS. At least ten former students made that move during my time at TGS and EC. All of us were good friends. "
Past Grammarians are encouraged to add stories to the rich tapestry that is the history of Townsville Grammar School. Please feel free to share stories about people, places and events with us. You are welcome to visit your alma mater, contact the Marketing and Engagement Department (4722 4910) to arrange a tour of the school.
Information and stories can be emailed to [email protected]
Wade Forster
By School Archivist (and former Head of Boarding) Chris Wilson.
It has been all over the news and on social media, but the achievements of recent Past Grammarian Wade Forster deserve special mention.
Wade's first contact with Townsville Grammar School was in 2010 at the Julia Creek Camp Draft. He confidently strode up to me (I was then the Head of Boarding), stuck out this hand, and with a smile on his face and a glit in his eye, stated in his western twang “G’day Sir, my name is Wade Forster and I am coming to board with you at Townsville Grammar next year”. Wade was always a naughty, cheeky boarder, never too far from trouble, but always the first to put up his hand and accept the consequences of his actions (and all too often, the behaviour of others). His last action, when he was due to graduate, was to head to the Design and Technology Centre and spend his time constructing a coffee table for the rec room in McConachy House.
Wade was born and raised in outback Queensland on country music and a cowboy lifestyle. On leaving school Wade worked as a cowboy and started to travel around Australia to pursue his passion for rodeo. In 2017 he left the family property near Winton and enrolled in a refrigeration apprenticeship in Mount Isa. One lonely night he bought himself a $50 guitar and started to teach himself to play. The rest is history. Wade began singing at rodeos. In 2021 he released a cover of ‘Oneida’ on Facebook. He released his debut album ‘The Beginning’ in 2022. Wade enrolled in and graduated from the Academy of country music.
In 2023 he was honoured to play at the opening of the Tamworth Country Music Festival and, in 2024, the 25-year-old was nominated as one of 10 finalists in the Toyota Star Maker competition. On 21 January this year, he was crowned as the 44th Toyota Star Maker, following the footsteps of country music household names like Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Keith Urban, Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole and many others.
At the time of writing, Wade's single, Rodeo Romeo, had reached #1 on the 2TM Country Music Chart.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to make us aware of other Past Grammarians that we could feature in this series of snippets.
Peter Burge
Did you know that the current Director of High Performance at the Hawthorne AFL club is a past-Grammarian?
Did you know that Peter Scott Burge was a talented cricketer whist at TGS, but really excelled as an elite athlete, an elite long and triple jumper?
Peter represented Australia at the very highest level at the
- World u/20 International Championships 1992 (Triple Jump 6th)
- Commonwealth Games 1998
- Olympic Games 2000
- World Indoor Championships 2001 (Long Jump 4th)
Peter was also selected to represent Australia at both the 1999 & 2001 World Championships but had to withdraw due to injury.
Peter Burge has held a number of distinguished sporting performance positions since his retirement from competitive athletics. These including roles as a strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Rugby Union (2003/4). He then worked in a similar role at the Hawthorne Football Club (2004 – 2011).
He served as the High Performance Manager at both the St Kilda Football Club, and Richmond Football Club for the next 10 years, being part of three AFL premiership winning teams (2017, 2019 & 2020). Peter moved back to Hawthorne last year.
Whilst we belief that Peter Burge is the only Past Grammarian to represent Australia (Track and Field) at the Olympics, would love to be corrected.
If you have any interesting stories about Peter or other sports-related stories, we would be very grateful if you were willing to share them so we can add them to our collections in our archives.
We intend to feature Past Grammarians who have achieved at the highest level across all categories in these snippets, and do we have a long list to work through.
Please feel free to suggest other Past Grammarians who you believe we should include in these snippets. We intend to feature Past Students across all areas of achievement and eras. Please email any ideas to [email protected]
Harriet Dwyer
Harriet Dyer graduated from TGS in 2005, before attending the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. She completed the full-time acting course at the Actor's Centre Australia, graduating in 2011.
Harriet was the TGS Music Captain in 2005 and her prodigious talent across the debating, dance, music, drama, and performance spectrum was regularly recognised - she was no stranger to the stage.
She starred in the TGS production of ‘Kiss Me Kate’ in 2005 as both Lois Lane and Bianca Minola.
I am certain that Harriet’s contemporaries remember this production with fondness and are as proud of what Harriet has gone on to achieve as we are.
Professionally, Harriet is best known for starring in the television series Love Child (2014–2017) and No Activity (2015–2018). She has also appeared in a number of films, most notably The Invisible Man (2020). Alongside her husband, Patrick Brammall, Harriet is the co-creator, co-writer, and co-star of the comedy series Colin from Accounts (2022). She has also commanded roles in such Australian favourites as Packed to the Rafters, Rake, The InBetween, Kiki and Kitty, and Janet King.
Harriet’s exceptional talent has earned her the Logie for the Most Outstanding Actress in 2023 (as well four other Logie nominations).
We are aware of the achievements of many of our alumni but are mindful that there are many quiet achievers that we do not know about. We would really appreciate input from Past Grammarians in this regard.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to make us aware of distinguished past pupils.
William Crews
How many Past Grammarians remember this remarkable man and have stories to share about him?
William David Crews must surely be one of Townsville Grammar School's most distinguished Past Grammarians. ‘Reverend Bill’ attended TGS in 1959 and 1960 before heading to Sydney to complete his schooling and Electrical Engineering studies.
Despite a bright future beckoning him in the field of engineering, Bill chose a very different path. Whilst at university he volunteered at the Wayside Mission in Kings Cross providing aid to many disadvantaged people in the area. Bill made a courageous decision to to leave Engineering and make community service and the church the focus of his future.
In 1983 Bill Crews enrolled to study Theology. On graduating, he became a minister in the Uniting Church and set up the Exodus Foundation (to aid the poor, the needy, the homeless and the hopeless)
The list of of the awards recognising his contribution is long and distinguished and include the following:-
1. 1992 - Australian Father of the Year
2. 1992 - Australian Humanitarian of the Year
3. 1998 -Top 100, Australian Living Treasures
4. 1999 - Order of Australia (AM) services to the disadvantaged
5. 2001 - Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary International)
6. 2007 - Top 100, Most Influential Australians
7. 2015 - NSW Human Rights Award
William David Crews regards the Dalai Lama as a good friend and appeared as a guest judge with him on Masterchef (2010).
Please email our Archivist, Chris Wilson [email protected] if you would like to make us aware of other Past Grammarians that we could feature in this series of snippets.
RDK Reye
Did you know that that world renowned pathologist RDK Reye was a Past Grammarian?
Described as a ‘giant’ in the field of pathology, Dr Douglas Reye identified Nemaline Myopathy, which was subsequently named Reye Syndrome.
Dr Reye (05/04/1912 – 16/07/1977) attended Townsville Grammar School in the 1930s.
He studied further at the University of Sydney and was awarded his MBBS in 1937. He spent his career working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. He passed away just 24hrs after he retired from the RAHC. However, his research and contribution to modern medicine has ensured that his name will never be forgotten.
For more information please visit:
https://adb.anu.edu.au/.../reye-ralph-douglas-kenneth-11511
Grateful thanks to Dr Ian Reddie (class of 1987) for drawing our attention to this noteworthy Past Grammarian.
We are busy compiling a register of distinguished Past-Grammarians who we will be recognising in a number of ways. We welcome information and stories of Past Grammarians (historical and contemporary).
Please email details to our Archivist, [email protected]
Rear Admiral GJH Woolrych
Rear Admiral GJH Woolrych
Townsville Grammar School has a long and deep connection with the Australian Defence Forces. This history dates back to the Boer War (from 1899) and continued through both world wars and subsequent conflicts. The names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice are remembered on the many honour boards and memorials around the school.
In addition to those who lost their lives in combat, there are many others Past Grammarians who have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the defence of Australia. We can also boast many graduates who, on leaving school, are selected to further their education at The Australian Defence Forces Academy in Canberra to earn tertiary qualifications through the University of New South Wales before continuing their careers in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
A notable Past Grammarian who was promoted to the earn the rank of Rear Admiral in the Australian Navy, was Geoffrey John Humphry Woolrych.
He completed his schooling at Townsville Grammar School in 1942 before entered the Royal Australian Naval College in Jervis Bay, graduating from the college in 1947. Whilst at the RAN college, Geoffrey was awarded sporting colours for Rugby.
Before he began his distinguished career in the Royal Australian Navy, he undertook further training with the Royal Navy between 1947 and 1951. He returned to Australia to an appointment on HMAS Anzac (Korean War), earning a promotion to Lieutenant on HMAS Australia. In the early 1960s, Geoffrey was selected for a two-year exchange posting with the United States Navy, serving at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare School before returning to Australia to join the crew of HMAS Vendetta. He was promoted to Commander in late 1964.
GJH Woolrych served with distinction in the Navy in both the Korean and Malay conflicts. His outstanding leadership was recognised, and he captained both the Derwent and Vampire earning a promotion to Captain in 1970. The original design of the now iconic ‘White ensign’ was submitted by the then Commander GJH Woolrych in 1971. He moved to shore-based leadership positions in the mid 70s and was promoted to the rank of Commodore during 1977. A further promotion to Rear Admiral in 1981 recognised his naval leadership.
The sailors who served under him found him to be 'a thorough gentleman … one of the first senior officers to appear human’. His superiors describe him as ‘a forceful, quick witted officer, but also as excellent entertainer who, with the support of his family, excelled in the social aspects of naval life’.
At his retirement, Geoff Woolrych was Chief of Navy Operations Requirements and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. In his retirement he was able to devote more time to his hobbies of golf, fishing and tennis. He also kept in touch with naval affairs through his brother Robert Woolrych who joined the RAN College in 1959, and who specialised as a submariner before reaching the rank of Commander.
His eldest son, Simon Woolrych, joined the Navy in 1972 and trained as a Principal Warfare Officer, attaining the rank of Captain. A nephew, Samuel Woolrych, son of Robert, also joined the Navy, qualifying as a navigator, rounding off a firm family commitment to naval service.
Townsville Grammar School welcomes contributions from Past Grammarians which will build our knowledge of the history of the school. Information and stories can be emailed to [email protected]
