The Association experienced a bustling period, with Back to Runcorn Day in mid-May being a notable highlight of the first half of the year. This event achieved record-breaking merchandise sales and Old Boy attendance. Our Old Boys teams secured victories in both football and touch games against the Ashgrove Old Boys, successfully retaining the Memorial Shield. The Old Boy lunch also saw strong attendance. We extend our gratitude to John O'Hare and the Marist Ashgrove Old Boys Association for their exceptional support. These games consistently demonstrate a spirit of sportsmanship, reflecting the mutual respect between our Associations. Thank you also to Pat Byron and the Sports Department for again accommodating the Old Boys on what is the busiest day of the sporting calendar.

The Woody Cup has reached its exciting climax with a decisive Touch game scheduled for Friday 29 August. This year's competition has been remarkably close, warranting a true "final" match. The upcoming year will mark the 10th anniversary of the Woody Cup, a significant milestone for all. We extend our gratitude to all players who volunteered their time this year, as well as to Sam Wilshire and the College for accommodating these matches within their busy calendar.

In June, the College hosted an event for the Class of 2024 at the newly developed Westcourt precinct near Stephens Road, an initiative we fully endorse. The upcoming Old Boys Reunion Weekend in August will celebrate milestone anniversaries for various alumni years. Key events include the Memorial Mass (open to all) and Seniors Lunch. We strongly urge attendance, particularly for those in reunion cohorts. The weekend concludes with the Old Boys Assembly on Tuesday, 2 September, featuring the Young Alumni Recipient Award announcement, Woody Cup presentation and unveiling of the new Honour Board for Facere et Docere Recipients, sponsored by the Old Boys Association.

SLConX continues with a highlight in Term 3: a "dual night" of STEM and Trades on Tuesday 26 August at ERPAC. This marks a significant week for both the Association and the College. We extend our gratitude to the Defence and Emergency Services presenters from our initial SLConX session earlier this year, with special thanks to Gerard, Ian, Nick and Ethan for their support. A summary of the event is available in the Newsletter.

You may have read Ben's message regarding the upcoming development works at Runcorn with interest. This presents an excellent opportunity for Old Boys to support the initiative. After years of discussion about improving Runcorn, the time has come to act. We encourage you to be ready to offer your support once details on how we can assist as a community are released.

The Association maintains a strong financial position. We are currently exploring ways to expand and enhance SLOBACare. Additionally, a dedicated sub-committee is working on identifying new revenue streams and improving engagement channels. I extend my sincere gratitude to my fellow committee members for their tireless efforts, and to Helen Turner for her continued and invaluable support at that of the wider College community.

Recently I was afforded the privilege to lead Grace at the Old Boys Lunch out at Runcorn. It was a great day – although marred a little by Ashgrove being the winners this year in both the Rugby and Football firsts! Next year will be different, eh?! Notwithstanding that, I was once again reminded what a tremendous thing it is to share in our great Lauries community spirit, an integral part of which is the willingness to give boys and their families a hand-up when they need it. Our Foundation donors exemplify that spirit of giving.

The Old Boys Foundation invests the donations it receives, and, from the earnings of those investments, each year provides a fee bursary gift to the College. This gift contributes to the College’s fee bursary program providing help for boys whose families are facing financial hardship so those boys can have their Lauries Journey.

In 2024, the Foundation’s Gift to the College was, $110,000, and the College Principal provided the Foundation Board with a summary of how the funds were used in 2025. The Gift provided fee bursaries to 21 families doing it tough, comprising: boys with deceased parents (1), sons of Old Boys (2), other financially disadvantaged students (10), boys from indigenous families (3) and boys from refugee families (5).

Last June I wrote about three lads from refugee families who had recently been helped by Foundation bursaries. What a great boost to their future life in Australia it will be to have been given the gift of becoming a Lauries man! Another current example is of a boy who desperately wanted to come to Lauries to finish his senior years but his single Mum who had recently become unemployed through a workplace injury decided it was out of her reach. The College was made aware of this situation and the Mum was encouraged to reach out. That boy, as a result of a Foundation bursary, is now a very happy and high achieving Senior student who will now become yet another proud SLOB.

These, and all the other many boys helped by the Foundation since 2006, were only able to be helped because of our donors. Since 2006 those donors have now helped the Foundation to gift $865,000 to the College, thus providing funding over this time for the provision by the College of the equivalent of some 153 by $5,000 fee relief bursaries to needy and well-deserving Lauries families to enable their boys to have their Lauries Journey. On behalf of all those families helped by the Foundation I very sincerely thank our donor community.

In closing, with the continuing support of Old Boys such as yourselves, the Foundation will in turn be able to continue its Mission of helping financially disadvantaged boys to have their Lauries Journey and, like us, become proud Old Boys of our great College. If you would like to help deliver that Mission, donations can be made via the online payment portal HERE or please contact Helen Turner at the Development Office on development@slc.qld.edu.au or (07) 3010 1178.

It is only with your ongoing generosity that we will be able to continue to help more and more boys into the future.

There have been some outstanding achievements by Old Boys so far in 2025. Congratulations to the following;

Laurie Lawrence (1962) AO

Congratulations to Laurie who received an Officer of the Order of Australia ( AO) in the general division for service to water safety and swimming. Laurie has spent decades on water safety education, working to reduce drownings across the nation. He is also a renowned swim coach and famously jumped in the pool when Duncan Armstrong won gold in Seoul at the 1988 Olympics. Laurie was also a member of the Wallabies squad who toured New Zealand in 1964.

Terrell Thorne (2024) - Silver - World Athletics Relays

Terrell competed at the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China as part of the Mixed 4x400m team. The team came home in second which was a wonderful achievement, especially for Terrell only just being out of school.

Luke Willian (2014) - World Triathlon Mixed Relay Champion

Congratulations to Luke who was part of the Australian Mixed Relay Triathlon team who picked up gold at the World Triathlon Relay Championships in Hamburg Germany. It has been a stellar 12 months for Luke after his debut at the Paris Olympics last year.

Rowan Crothers (2015) - 7 Consecutive Multi Class 100m Freestyle Titles

Back in April, Rowan completed his 7th straight domination of the Men's Multi-class 100m Freestyle event at the National Titles. Rowan also booked his ticket to the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore in September.

Kicking Goals in AFL

Congratulations to Old Boys Wyatt Greenaway (2023) and Tyan Prindable (2024) on making their VFL Debuts this season with the Brisbane Lions Reserves. Wyatt also picked up a Rising Star Award in Round 17 of the QAFL. Tyan represented the Allies U18 team at the National Championships and has been asked to participate in the AFL draft at the end of the season. A third Lauries boy also recently made his VFL debut for the Lions. Congratulations to Cooper Hodge (Yr11) who is still at school. What an amazing achievement.

Jack Cosgrove (2024) was named Co-Captain of the Coorparoo Kings Colts team. 

Onrii Dalgity (2022) Ice Hockey

Congratulations to Onrii who is the Atlanta Madhatter's Elite Captain in the US. He has committed to Walsdorf University for the 25-26 Season. The Madhatter's are part of the US Premier Hockey League. Last year Onrii represented Australia at Under 20 level. 

Seeing the World with Rugby

Congratulations David Van Zeeland (2017) to David who made his Japanese League One Rugby debut for Kubota Spears this season.

John Bryant (2020) is currently in Italy with Treviso as part of a talent development exchange with the Queensland Reds. What a fantastic experience. John was also part of the Queensland Reds side who recently played the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp.

Earlier in the year, Finn Mackay (2024) represented Queensland Reds U18. Byron Murphy (2022) and Callum Reidy (2022) represented Queensland Reds U20s. Whilst Brody McLaren (2022) represented NSW U20s.

Callum Reidy (2022) has now moved to Scotland to link up with their Under 20's program.

Jack Tuite (2023) was also named captain of the Easts Rugby League Mal Meninga Cup side this season.

Hitting new heights in Volleyball

Congratulation to 2021 Alumni Will Jennings and Darcy Jackson on being selected in the Queensland U23 Men's Volleyball team. 

Pictured below: Laurie Lawrence, Rowan Crothers, Luke Willian and Terrell Thorne

It was fantastic to see a full house at the Old Boys' and Community Choir on Monday 17 March. Old Boys' and community members alike shared their musical talents including Old Boys String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and Choir, along with the broader Community Choir.

This event is truly a special one on the College calendar. It was also the first time the Association Committee held their monthly meeting at the Church prior to the Concert. A big thank you to Dr Young for accommodating the Committee and for again organising a wonderful occasion.

A view from an Old Boy

Last year, I had the pleasure of viewing the finale on YouTube, featuring the School Song performed by approximately 40 Old Boys who participated in the concert. This year, the concert coincided with a monthly committee meeting of SLOBA, with committee members attending across the way from the St Ignatius Loyola Church. As I was not able to attend the event in person, fellow Committee Member John Dinnen advised the concert would be again live-streamed on YouTube. This afforded me the opportunity to watch the entire performance rather than just the finale.

The opening scenes showcased the church's magnificent interior, which I learned from Wikipedia was designed by architect Jack Hennessy Jr. and constructed between 1929 and 1936.

The concert commenced brilliantly with the community choir performing three diverse pieces. Following the community choir's departure from the altar, a string ensemble took the stage, succeeded by a guitar group comprising eight musicians. Both the string and guitar ensembles delivered three exquisite pieces each, ranging from classical to more contemporary compositions. Subsequently, the Community Choir returned to the altar and delivered a spirited rendition of James Taylor's "Mexico."

Dr Young then ascended to the altar to lead a vibrant choral performance, characterized by exquisite harmonies of an exceptionally high melodic calibre.

I must say, the quality of the concert clearly demonstrated not only the immense talent of the choristers and musicians but also the considerable preparation that had evidently been undertaken.

As I understand is customary the Old Boy Choir remained on stage for the School Song.

One never forgets the introductory words:

“Cheer when the black and gold.

Call forth the brave and bold

Just like the men of old

Down through the years”

Michael Campbell (1972) - Secretary of the Association 

SLConX 2025- Session 1: Emergency Services & Defence

In March, in conjunction with the Careers Department, the first of 3 SLConX Sessions was held.  It focused on Emergency Services and Defence. SLConX is designed to allow Old Boys to share their experience in work with current students interested in the same field. 

Thanks to our speakers, it was great to have Old Boys come back to impart their knowledge and experience with boys interested in a career in Emergency Services and Defence.

Gerard Samios (1983) - Senior Fire Fighter, Queensland Fire & Rescue

Ian Leavers (1985) - Queensland Cross Border Commissioner

Nick Shaw (1997) - 24 years in the Australian Defence Force

Ethan Dooley (2009) - MD/CEO 1300 Medics/ Retrieval Medics

SLConX - Sessions 2 & 3 - 26 August

The next two sessions will be a combined event focusing on STEM and Trades. Coverage of the event will be in our year end Newsletter.

Find out more about each event including links to purchase tickets for the events HERE.

Over 90 Old Boys from the Class of 2024 came together at Westcourt for their 1 Year Reunion. Overlooking Mount Coot-Tha, our youngest Old Boys' heard from fellow Old Boys Jack Richards (2010) and Oscar Norrie (2020) while enjoying each other company and conversation.

On Wednesday 2 July, over 40 Old Boys' from the Class of 1965 came together to celebrate their 60 Year Reunion. Commencing with a tour of the campus, gentlemen from the cohort enjoyed a buffet lunch and lots of fantastic conversation.

This event serves as a great sampler before the Old Boys' Weekend which includes another reunion for this cohort plus the Class of 1955 70 Year Reunion.

Back to Runcorn for 2025 was another great success. A large crowd was on hand to witness Lauries v Ashgrove in Football and Rugby. In between all the matches, the Old Boys again played Marist Ashgrove Old Boys for the Challenge Shield. This event only happens every 2 years and generates a lot of interest from both Associations.

As always, thanks to the Ashgrove Old Boys' Association, in particular John O'Hare, for their willingness to participate. The matches are always played in a fine spirit to reflect the eight decades of mutual respect between the two Colleges. 

Football Match

The football was again a very exciting and close event. The match ebbed and flowed as expected given the heritage of both College's when it comes to AIC Football. The goals of both teams were peppered frequently, but it was not until later into the second half that the SLOB's were able to secure the vital goal and hang on to win 1-0. Thanks to the entire team for their support and spirit in which it was played.

Thanks to our Old Boy referees and supporters! 

Above: The Marist Ashgrove and Lauries Old Boys Football teams

Above: The Old Boys Football team

Touch Match

In the touch, Lauries was blessed with a number of gun players, led by our resident International Tommy Quinleven. The team was able to get ahead early and maintained the pressure to run out 5-0 winners. It also meant we retained the Shield on aggregate.

Above: The Marist Ashgrove and Lauries Old Boys Touch teams

Thank you

Thanks to the Committee for their organisation and assistance throughout the day, and to Mr Pat Byron and the Sports Department for allowing the Old Boys to participate in what is one of the busiest days on the sporting calendar. 

The 9th edition of the Woody Cup will go down to the wire. The Touch Football match on 29 August will determine the winner for 2025. There have been some incredible results this year with very competitive matches played across the board. Thank you to those who gave up their time to participate. In most cases we could have fielded more than one team such is the interest. 

Earlier in the year the Association commenced a process to look at naming the Woody Cup Player of the Match Award for each sport. Old Boys were asked to submit their nominations by 30 June. During the course of Q4 this year, the Committee will review those nominations and then make their recommendation 

All Old Boys are invited to the milestone event of the 110 Year Celebration - the Lauries Gala Dinner. Taking place on Saturday 13 September at the Star Brisbane, guests will enjoy a 4 hour premium beverage package, 2 course meal, live entertainment, raffles and much more.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

TO PURCHASE TICKETS

In celebration of our 110 year anniversary, St Laurence's College has launched a new sock initiative that honours the legacy and connection between our College and Old Boys.

Old Boys who wish for their son/s (aged 0-5) to attend St Laurence's College are eligible to receive a pair of 'Future Lauries Parent' and a 'Future Lauries Student' socks each. This initiative aims to connect our past and future generations, encourage Old Boys to register their enrolment expressions of interests early as well as fostering a sense of belonging and pride amongst potential future Lauries families.

College Principal Mr Ben Lowrie spoke to the value of the Old Boy sock initiative,

“It is a great way for us to connect our past and future students of Lauries. We hope to see many parents and future Lauries boys wearing these socks,” Mr Lowrie said.

To receive the socks, families must complete an enrolment expression of interest and note the father’s details under School Connections – Sons of Old Boy. Socks will be mailed to the appropriate house address shortly after. Eligible families are invited to do so via the online form HERE.

Those who are already on the Old Boys database and have received their socks are encouraged to share photos of you and your future Lauries boy/s via email to slcoldboys@slc.qld.edu.au. We have already had a number of Old Boys share their shots - it has been great to see!

Applications are now open for young men wishing to commence their Lauries Education in Year 5 2027. Further information can be found HERE including links to submit an application. 

The St Laurence's Old Boys' Foundation is proud of the strong legacy created by Old Boys who provide a life-changing education for students who otherwise could not afford it.

A gift to the Foundation in your will is an amazing way to build upon this legacy. Further information regarding the Old Boys' Foundation Bequest Program can be found HERE. Alternatively, please reach out to Helen Turner on 07 3010 1178 or development@slc.qld.edu.au.

WW2 Service Record Project

In the third quarter of this year, the Association initiated a comprehensive review of Old Boys who potentially served in World War II. We anticipate this number to be substantial and believe it warrants appropriate recognition. Our preliminary findings have already uncovered noteworthy accomplishments, including recipients of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Upon completion of the World War II service review, we intend to extend our research to encompass all subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

ANZAC Day

The World War II review was completed by ANZAC Day, which enabled us to properly commemorate their service. Additionally, we have commenced the enhancement the Military Old Boys section on our website to provide more detailed information about each individual's contributions.

In the lead up to ANZAC Day, the Association also ran a Spotlight series which profiled Old Boy who have served. This is an initiative we look to continue in 2026. Selected Spotlights below. 

We also need your help!!

We are reaching out to our Old Boy Community for assistance in gathering comprehensive service details as part of our ongoing initiative. If you have served or are aware of someone who has, and you are uncertain whether we have the complete information, we kindly request you to contact us via email at slcoldboys@slc.qld.edu.au. Your contribution is invaluable in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of our records.

Archives Call Out

The College is also on the hunt for any pieces of memorabilia pertaining to our great school. If any Old Boys would like to gift or lend an item for display during the year (for example school jackets, photos or memorabilia) please contact the College on (07) 3010 1105 or archive@slc.qld.edu.au.