History

First boarders are accepted at the College.

A cadet corps was formed prior to the 1914-18 war.

The Rowing Club opens with 35 members at Breakfast Creek.

Clayfield College is bought by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) and renamed Brisbane Boys’ College. 10 students fall whilst serving in World War I.

BBC joins the Great Public Schools’ Association of Queensland (GPS) sports association as a founding member.

The BBC Old Collegians’ Association is established.

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 their first GPS Track and Field Championship.

The first son of an Old Collegian is enrolled at the College.

BBC moves to the current Toowong campus with 199 students. Mr P.M. Hamilton is appointed at Headmaster and introduces the distinctive BBC boater and House system.

BBC receives their first GPS Tennis Premiership.

Graeme Wilson becomes the first Old Collegian to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. The College Pipe Band is formed.

Air-raid shelters are constructed at BBC. Most GPS interschool sports are suspended during the war.

Mr Hamilton is the only staff member to remain at BBC throughout WWII. 90 Old Collegians fall during the war. Gordon Donaldson becomes the College’s second Rhodes Scholar.

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.

BBC receives their first GPS Rugby Premiership (shared).

Mr A.J. Birtles begins as Headmaster with 515 students, including 200 boarders.

The Pipe Band reforms after lapsing in 1945.

The Rudd Wing opens with Junior and Senior science facilities.

Philp House is officially opened after being destroyed by fire on 13 March 1971.

Mr G.E. Thomson commences as Headmaster with 671 students.

The Junior School Library is called AG Cornes Memorial Library after the Head of Junior School 1955 to date of his death 24 Feb 1976. Alan’s wife unveiled the plaque on 31 July 1976.

BBC purchases its first computer, a Tandy TRS 800.

Four new Houses (Flynn, Hamilton, McKenzie and Wheller) are created to cater for increased enrolments alongside Campbell, Knox, Rudd and Wesley.

John Wylie, Dux of the College in 1978, is named BBC’s fourth Rhodes Scholar.

BBC wins the GPS Tennis Premiership. The McKenzie Wing for science and teaching is opened.

BBC wins their first GPS Basketball Premiership.

New Headmaster Mr G.M. Cujes is appointed with 1095 boys at the College. BBC wins its 14th Head of the River.

BBC wins their first GPS Football Premiership.

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.

BBC awarded their first GPS Volleyball Premiership.

Michael Huggins is named as BBC’s fifth Rhodes Scholar.

Headmaster, Mr M. Norris starts at BBC with 1443 boys. Students are able to study university subjects whilst at school.

BBC awarded their first GPS Gymnastics Championship. The first year of Birtles House.

Mr G.E. McDonald commences as Headmaster at BBC and the College celebrates 100 years.

The College opens its Prep Centre for boys. The College is now Prep to Year 12. BBC records their first GPS Sailing Championship.

Robert Mullins becomes BBC’s sixth Rhodes Scholar. The Junior School building is opened.

The College celebrates its 110th anniversary.

College Hall is opened, providing a premier cultural facility for students.

The Middle School Precinct is officially opened and the BBC student population reaches 1,560.

BBC crowned Robotics World Super Team Champions at the Robocup Championships in Nagoya, Japan.

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.

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.

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.