In celebration of the centenary of the Old Collegians' Association, we are releasing a series of photographs titled "Then and Now", merging the old and the new and symbolising the continuation of the BBC spirit through the decades.  This first photo is of the 1963 1st VIII. 

Stroke: Douglas M Adam (OC 1964)

7            David W Simpson (OC 1963)

6            Leigh G Hemming (OC 1963)

5            Carter Stephen (Yr 11) replacing Leonard V Williams (OC 1963)

4           William Evans (Yr 11) replacing  Hume K Campbell (OC 1963)

3            Harry Hammett (Yr 11) replacing Jonathan G Ricketts (OC 1964)

2            William P Kitsman (OC 1964)

Bow:     Donald L Moffatt (OC 1963)            

Cox:       Rodney L Brett (OC 1965)

In celebrating the OCA Centenary this year, we are noting the contribution of many of our Old Collegians who have inspired, have been great leaders, shown bravery and perseverance, yet have exhibited self-control and common sense in difficult situations.

Some Collegians have been pioneers, creatively seeing the world with an open mind.  Other Old Collegians’ have fostered a love of learning and curiosity which has encouraged many, whilst others’ display qualities of forgiveness, kindness, love and social intelligence in creating a better environment for us all. Numerous Collegians have entertained, shown humour, gratitude, belief, hope and appreciation of beauty and excelled in every field of humanity.

Old Collegians who reflect some these qualities include: Rear Admiral Gatacre (OC 1920), Ashley Druve (OC 1988), Sir Evan Thomson (OC 1936), Lindsay and Graham Packer (OC 1961 & 1963), John Noblet (OC 1940), Jack Bell (OC 1933) and Sir F Victor Sharpe (OC 1922).  There are so many more names to add to this list, and we will be sharing the stories of these notable Old Collegians with the BBC Community over the coming months.

If you would like to contribute names to the BBC OCA Centenary list, please email Helen Jackson, College Archivist, at hjackson@bbc.qld.edu.au

Don’t let opportunity pass you by, enrich your life and row with the Old Collegians!  

Heady words, but if you have shared a pre-dawn start to get the boat onto the water,  then enjoyed a cross fit work out, camaraderie, along with the outrageous spectacle of a sunrise on the Brisbane River, you know OCRC rowing is fuel for the soul.  Throw in a coffee with the crew before heading to work or an ice-cold drink after racing and you are all set for success, no “life coach” required. 

We come in all ages (old boys from 1974 to 2015), shapes, sizes, and walks of life, but we share the bond of BBC and the joy of the experience of rowing.  Exploit the opportunity to join any of the ergo sessions on a weeknight and you will be rattling through a decade of new year’s resolutions in no time at all.  Never fear, for most of us it was “decades” in between rows.

Should you choose to join in the opportunities to race you will find yourself re-living your youth in battling old foes from Grammar, Churchie and Terrace amongst others.  There is a social side to this old school rivalry and before you know it you will be trading tales and laughing amongst alumni from assorted schools about long forgotten victories, defeats and escapades.

The Old Collegians club is just five years young, yet in 2019 one of our crews secured victory in their race category at the Head of the Yarra in Melbourne, the pinnacle (+300 eights) of river rowing boat racing in Australia.  We have an active presence on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bbcoldcollegiansrowing) where you will find race footage that will set the nerves tingling.  We have started from scratch and have a tax efficient Australian Sports Foundation fund to help raise money for equipment.  We row out of the Toowong Rowing Club and the 2020 calendar includes events over a range of distances.   Please contact me (M 0417 625 919) to learn more about getting involved in the club as a rower, donor or both.  Please join in and seize the day!

- Adrian Humphrey (OC 1984)

We kicked off our centenary year events on 12 February with a Vintage Collegians reunion lunch in Toowoomba. 

Twenty-five Old Collegians braved the weather to gather at the beautiful Picnic Point Cafe, where they enjoyed an afternoon of catching up over a delicious lunch.  Thank you to all who attended, especially those who travelled a great distance for the event.  Special thanks to Graham Sagar (OC 1969) OCA Committee member/VC Representative for co-ordinating with the help of Carol Stephens our new Communnity Engagement Manager. Here's hoping that we will see even more Vintage Collegians and their partners at our next lunch at Pelican Waters Golf Club on 1 April.  Please see the upcoming events calendar for details.  To view more photos from the Toowoomba Lunch please click here