2008 marked the Centenary of the Old Brighton Grammarians Society.
To mark this milestone, the Centenary Dinner was held in the Great Hall of the NGV International (National Gallery of Victoria) in St Kilda Road. As part of this gala celebration and to recognise the achievements of our highest achieving Old Boys, the inaugural BGS Hall of Fame inductees were announced.
The BGS Hall of Fame is our opportunity to celebrate the ‘heroes’ of our School and honours what has been achieved since leaving School. The Hall of Fame allows not only fellow Old Boys but current students the opportunity to admire and aspire to greatness. It gives staff, past and present, a great sense of pride and satisfaction to know of the way men from our School are making a difference in the world – maybe even men they have taught themselves.
Twenty seven old boys were inducted into the inaugural BGS Hall of Fame, of which 11 were posthumously awarded. Three of the posthumous awards were accepted by relatives of the late inductees.
Three years later in May 2011 at a dinner in the River Room at Crown, 10 more Old Boys were inducted into the BGS Hall of Fame. The evening began when the guests were reintroduced via a short movie clip to the heroic and courageous Old Boys who made up the inaugural inductees in 2008. Eight of those men were present and formally paraded in behind the School banner, School Captain and Headmaster.
A new award was introduced in 2011, the Rising Star Award for those Old Boys identified as well on their way to rising to the top!
The next batch of Old Boys (no more than 10 at any one time) will be inducted in three years' time in 2014.
As part of the process of selecting the candidates the Selection Committee seeks nominations from the wider Old Boy community.
For further information please contact the Alumni Relations Manager, Andrew Biggin on 03 8591 2272 or email: abiggin@brightongrammar.vic.edu.au
About the Hall of Fame Award
The BGS Hall of Fame Awards were designed by sculptor and fine art expert, Peter DeGaris (OB 73), and are representative of the School, the Student and the Community for Life.
The centre curved element, with the BGS colours, represents the School, supporting the student and enhancing a start in life, figuratively sending the student out into the wide world after receiving the benefit of a well rounded education.
The largest form represents the student and the rough and smooth experiences of life.
The third element with the peak bent back represents the partner, that being the School community.
Each element is highly polished, reflecting each other.
The timber base is made of solid oak to represent that centrepiece of the School, the mighty oak tree in the quadrangle.
The award also bears a resemblance to the wings of the School crest.