Old Collegians’ Association

Establishing a life-long connections between Old Boys and the College.

Founded in the early days of BBC in 1920, the Old Collegians’ Association was designed to establish a strong fellowship between Old Boys and the College, to ensure traditions are maintained and to provide networking opportunities for members through reunions, social functions and BBC activities.

Upon graduation, a boy continues his journey as a Brisbane Boys’ College Old Boy. Volunteers of the Brisbane Boys’ College Old Collegians’ Association (the ‘OCA’) foster ties with the College, providing graduating students with lifetime opportunities for professional development and networking. This group also assist the College in hosting a number of events across the school calendar to support and connect Old Boys, families and current students.

An adjunct to this group are the ‘older’ Collegians who form part of the Vintage Collegians. Members of this group assist with the BBC Archives, aiding in the collection and classification of historical publications and memorabilia. Vintage Collegians also take time to connect with current students; formally speaking to classes across the College and sharing their own school experiences throughout the early years of the school.

The College is extremely proud of our Old Boys, many of whom feature prominently in many fields of endeavour in Queensland, across Australia and overseas.

Read the OCA Executive Committee Charter

The OCA Executive Committee

Chris Humphrey (1990)
President

Chris attended BBC for 8 years from 1983 to 1990 and was College Vice Captain in his final year.  Chris’ son attends the College in middle school.  While at BBC, Chris’ better sporting results came from tennis and cross country.  He also coached tennis at BBC after his schooling days including coaching the First IV.

Chris is the principal of a wealth management and accounting business.

Murray McNaught (1992)
Vice President

Murray commenced his studies at BBC in 1989 as a boarder and finished as a day boy in 1992.  He was a prefect, keen rugby player and a member of the winning 1992 1st VIII. After a 10 year career in the Australian Defence Force, Murray moved into senior management roles in the construction and renewable energy industries.  Murray currently has one boy at the Junior School with another two to follow shortly.

Russell Byrnes (1985)
Secretary

Russell attended BBC from 1977 to 1985. He spent 11 years employed in the Queensland Department of Justice working firstly in the Crown Solicitor’s Office and then in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Whilst with the Department of Justice, Russell graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Law and was called to the Bar on 6 June 1994. Russell has been at the private bar since September 2000 practising from Halsbury Chambers.

Wade Ruffin (1984)
Committee Member

Wade attended BBC from 1980 to 1984 and participated widely in sport whilst at school covering rowing, rugby and cricket. With three daughters attending Brisbane Girls Grammar School Wades involvement with the College was rekindled when he founded the BBC Old Collegians Rowing Club in 2016 to celebrate the centenary of rowing at BBC. The club has grown significantly and Wade believes strongly in the way sport can reconnect old boys back to the school. Wade has owned and operated several sports related businesses and worked in real estate for over 14 years currently working for Place Real Estate.

Peter Dun (1968)
Committee Member

Peter attended BBC from 1963 to 1968 and is a former President of the OCA.

Arthur Palmer (1970)
Committee Member

Arthur came to BBC in 1966 and graduated in 1970 and is a former President of the OCA.

Andrew Stephen (1994)
Treasurer

Andrew is a highly experienced and successful bank manager, with over 20 years experience in the finance industry. Throughout his career, Andrew has held leadership roles at both local and regional levels, including Home Finance Managers. Andrew is a leader that focuses on living and leading by example, providing his people with clarity and the opportunity to be successful.

 Cam Wallace (2012)
Young Old Boys’ Representative

Cameron attended BBC from 2008 to 2012 as a day boy. Whilst at school, Cameron was a member of the 1st VIII rowing crew and held the position of College Captain in his final year. Cameron currently rows with BBC Old Collegians Rowing Club and is Site Engineer for Lendlease Buildings. Cameron represents the younger Old Boys as part of the OCA Executive.

Grant Rynne (2000)
Committee Member

Grant attended BBC from 1996 to 2000 and is the founder & Director of RCM. Grant is an investor with a focus on Alternative Investments. His career experience spans both the buy-side and sell-side, including, transaction & advisory, risk management, sales & trading and portfolio management.

Graham Sagar (1969)
Vintage Collegians Representative

Graham attended BBC from 1965 to 1969. As well as sitting on the Old Collegians’ Executive, Graham is the owner of a childcare business in Brisbane. He is proud to be an Old Boy.

History
Scholarships & Bursaries
Business Directory

Informal contacts between Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) and its Old Boys were formalised at a meeting in the Masters Common Room at Clayfield on Friday, 27 August 1920 with the formation of the BBC Old Collegians’ Association (OCA).

The founder of BBC, Mr Arthur ‘Barney’ Rudd OBE, chaired this meeting, which was also attended by W Renton (1904-06), J C Capper (1912-16), W L Boyd (1916-19), N M Grimes (1917-20), and S B Snow (second master). It was decided that Rudd would draw up provisional articles of association to be submitted to a general meeting to be held on 13 September.

At the general meeting Rudd was elected the first president of the OCA. The vice-presidents were Messrs W L Boyd, H E H Ferguson and A Littledike. The treasurer was W Renton and the secretaries were C W Hughes and E J Lancaster. Messrs C H Cleghorn, L Davy, R Graham and A J Randall were councillors.

In addition to keeping Old Collegians in touch with each other and fostering fellowship, the primary objective named in the first OCA constitution was to support the College by funding scholarships for sons of Old Collegians and by providing endowments. They also promised to foster an interest in matters of national importance through lectures, published papers and discussions.

All Old Boys of the College and masters of at least two years standing were eligible to join. The annual subscription was seven shillings and sixpence, payable in advance. The creation of the OCA helped, at a pivotal time in the development of the College, to engender a sense of tradition and permanency in the College community. Consequently, the Old Collegians played a seminal role, during those formative years, in creating the ethos and value system of BBC.

Read the Constitution of the Old Collegians Association

Read the July 2017 Amendments to the OCA Constitution

The Old Collegians’ Association and its members provide a number of scholarship and bursary opportunities to support Old Boy families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a Brisbane Boys’ College education for their son, as well as provide opportunities to graduating boys of the College to further their education.

If you’re an Old Collegian looking to speak to someone at the College about establishing a scholarship or bursary in your name, please contact the Development Office for a confidential discussion.

Phone – +61 (07) 3309 3500
Email – development@bbc.qld.edu.au

OCA Bursary

The OCA Bursary provides financial assistance to Old Collegians so they may have the opportunity to continue the rich tradition of sending their sons to Brisbane Boys’ College.

For more information or to enquire about the OCA bursary, please email the Alumni Office at oca@bbc.qld.edu.au.

Graham Thomson Scholarship

Offers a past student of Brisbane Boys’ College the opportunity of studying at The University of Queensland while in residence at Emmanuel College, who may not otherwise have the means to live away from home. The scholarship was established in 2017 by BBC Old Boys John Wylie AM and Michael Wood to acknowledge Graham Thomson’s longstanding service to education and the community, and pays tribute to his significant leadership, student mentoring and personal generosity.

The Graham Thomson Scholarship will be awarded to a BBC student who is a new applicant to Emmanuel, or a former BBC student who is an existing resident of Emmanuel, who demonstrates strong academic ability and performance, exhibits leadership qualities and positive peer support, has a keen interest in sport and/or cultural activities, and has made a contribution to the community. The scholarship offers part relief of residential fees up to $5,000, and closes 30 November each year.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Emmanuel College website.

Visit Emmanuel College Website

Download the Graham Thomson Scholarship Application Form

The Brisbane Boys’ College Business Directory is an affordable, cost effective marketing platform that enables all members of our community to: promote or connect their business with the BBC Community network (current parents, Old Boys and friends), assist those who are searching for a service or product and also offer employment opportunities through the Job Board section.

Advertising in the BBC Business Directory can create new opportunities, generate referrals for your business and open the door to a new customer base.

To view the BBC Directory, or to sign up as a business, please click below.

View Business Directory

Stay in Touch

Keep connected with the OCA via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Alumni Office

Phone

+61 (07) 3309 3500

Helen Jackson, College Archivist

Phone

+61 (07) 3309 3629

Wed — Fri, during term-time