Old Rowers unite!

The Meliora Club was established in 1968 by a group of ex BGS oarsmen under the leadership of 1967 Captain of Boats and 3 time 1st VIII rower, Paul Purcell to support rowing at BGS and provide a means by which old BGS rowers and rowing supporters could keep in touch.

The first Meliora Club dinner was held at the Prince of Wales hotel in StKilda on the evening of the Tuesday immediately before the 1968 Head of the River. The dinner has been held every year since and celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2008.

The 2012 Dinner was held at the School in the Robert Sanderson Centenary Hall and the guest speaker, Olympic Legend James Tomkins OAM.

If you wish to have your name added to the invitation list, please contact Andrew Biggin at the OBGS Office on 03 8591 2272 or abiggin@brightongrammar.vic.edu.au.



Simon Newcomb, BGS rowing coach from 1966 to 1972, established the Centenary Rowing Club in Brisbane.  The club was all but destroyed during the floods of 2011 and a number of Simon's old charges donated to the re-building effort.  As a thankyou, Simon presented those philanthropists with an oar to be hung in the BGS Boatshed.

From the left: David Pepper, Simon Newcomb, Peter Wilson AM, Rob Stewart AM, Philippe Batters, Allen Gibson, Russ Bate, Paul Purcell and Roger Wilson OAM.



The current 1st VIII are the special guests of the Meliora Club Dinner and are here pictured with triple rowing gold medalist, James Tomkins.