Our History
Proudly remembering the past of Brisbane Boys’ College.
1902
Our school was founded by Mr Arthur 'Barney' Rudd in 1902, quickly becoming known as Clayfield College after the suburb of our first campus. On the day it opened, four students arrived, ready to commence their education. Today, the school has grown to encompass 1400 day boys and boarders, supported by a deeply involved contingent of parents and Old Collegians who demonstrate their support for the boys and the College on a daily basis. Symbols of our rich and proud traditions are everywhere to be seen, such as the distinctive boater the boys wear, the pipes and drums that are heard at all significant occasions, and mementos of our boarding, sporting, and cultural history. They all help to galvanise our inclusive community of students, Old Collegians, parents, staff, and friends who contribute to the BBC story.
1909
The first boarders are accepted at the College.
1912
A cadet corps is formed prior to the First World War.
1916
The Rowing Club opens with 35 members at Breakfast Creek.
1918
Clayfield College is bought by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) and renamed Brisbane Boys’ College. 10 students fall whilst serving in the First World War.
1918
BBC joins the Great Public Schools’ Association of Queensland (GPS) sports association as a founding member.
1920
The BBC Old Collegians’ Association is established.
1924-25
The BBC War Cry is composed after the College Rowing crew win the Head of the River. A new boatshed at Breakfast Creek opens. BBC is awarded our first GPS Track and Field Championship.
1927
The first son of an Old Collegian is enrolled at the College.
1931
BBC moves to the current Toowong campus with 199 students. Mr P.M. Hamilton is appointed as Headmaster and introduces the distinctive BBC boater and House system.
1934
BBC earns our first GPS Tennis Premiership.
1940
Graeme Wilson becomes the first Old Collegian to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. The Pipe Band is formed.
1942
Air-raid shelters are constructed at BBC during the Second World War. Most GPS interschool sports are suspended during the conflict.
1945-46
Mr Hamilton is the only staff member to remain at BBC throughout the Second World War. 90 Old Collegians fall during the war. Gordon Donaldson becomes the College’s second Rhodes Scholar.
1947-48
Dr T.R. McKenzie starts as new Headmaster and is credited with raising morale following the war. Hugh Dunn becomes the College’s third Rhodes Scholar. BBC received their first GPS Cricket Premiership.
1954
BBC receives their first GPS Rugby Premiership (shared).
1956
Mr A.J. Birtles begins as Headmaster with 515 students, including 200 boarders.
1959
The Pipe Band reforms after lapsing in 1945.
1963
The Rudd Wing opens with Junior and Senior science facilities.
1972
Philp House is officially opened after being destroyed by fire on 13 March 1971.
1974
Mr G.E. Thomson commences as Headmaster with 671 students.
1976
The Junior School Library is called AG Cornes Memorial Library after the Head of Junior School from 1955 until his death on 24 February 1976. Alan’s wife unveiled the plaque on 31 July 1976.
1978
BBC purchases its first computer, a Tandy TRS 800.
1980
Four new Houses (Flynn, Hamilton, McKenzie and Wheller) are created to cater for increased enrolments alongside Campbell, Knox, Rudd and Wesley.
1982
John Wylie, Dux of the College in 1978, is named BBC’s fourth Rhodes Scholar.
1983
BBC wins the GPS Tennis Premiership. The McKenzie Wing for science and teaching is opened.
1987
BBC wins their first GPS Basketball Premiership.
1990
New Headmaster Mr G.M. Cujes is appointed with 1095 boys at the College. BBC wins its 14th Head of the River.
1991
BBC wins their first GPS Football Premiership.
1993
BBC becomes the first school in Australia to win the Princess Elizabeth Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. BBC wins their first Debating Premiership.
1994
BBC awarded their first GPS Volleyball Premiership.
1995
Michael Huggins is named as BBC’s fifth Rhodes Scholar.
1997
Headmaster, Mr M. Norris starts at BBC with 1443 boys. Students are able to study university subjects whilst at school.
1998
BBC awarded their first GPS Gymnastics Championship. The first year of Birtles House.
2001-02
Mr G.E. McDonald commences as Headmaster at BBC and the College celebrates 100 years.
2007
The College opens its Prep Centre for boys. The College is now Prep to Year 12. BBC records their first GPS Sailing Championship.
2008
Robert Mullins becomes BBC’s sixth Rhodes Scholar. The Junior School building is opened.
2010
The College celebrates its 110th anniversary.
2011
College Hall is opened, providing a premier cultural facility for students.
2014
The Middle School Precinct is officially opened and the BBC student population reaches 1,560.
2017
BBC crowned Robotics World Super Team Champions at the Robocup Championships in Nagoya, Japan.
2018
Mr Paul Brown is appointed as Headmaster to lead the College boldly into the future. His appointment follows the retirement of Mr McDonald at the end of 2017, after more than 15 years of service. BBC celebrates The Greater Public Schools’ Association of Queensland being 100 years strong, the culmination of GPS100: a year-long Centenary celebration.
2018
BBC wins their first GPS Cross Country Championship. Four BBC teams compete at RoboCup Junior World Championships in Montreal, winning three World Championship Titles. Pipe Band performs at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland.
2020
Cole House is created in honour of Reverend Graham Cole who retired at the end of 2019, after 28 years of service to the College. The House system now consists of Birtles, Campbell, Cole, Flynn, Hamilton, Knox, McKenzie, Rudd, Wesley and Wheller. The College celebrates a centenary of the Old Collegians’ Association, officially formed on Friday 27 August 1920. Rugby First XV deliver the College’s maiden outright GPS Rugby Premiership.
2021
BBC claims rowing honours following Head of the River victory.
2022
Mr Andre Casson commenced as the 10th Headmaster of Brisbane Boys’ College.
Brisbane Boys’ College celebrates 120 years.
BBC claims rowing honours following Head of the River victory for the second year in a row.
Current
Today, Brisbane Boys’ College offers a full educational program for boys from Prep to Year 12, with Boarding available from Year 7. The College continues to be innovative in nature, embarking on and implementing new initiatives that work to deliver an exceptional educational experience for boys.
For a more thorough look into the history of Brisbane Boys’ College read Gentlemen of Honour – A history of Brisbane Boys College 1902 – 2002 by Dr Noel Quirke. This beautiful coffee table book is available from the College Shop.