Over the past 118 years, Brisbane Boys’ College in Toowong has been graduating fine young men who have gone on to become household names in sport, business, science, medicine and the law.
There are many dozens of famous names among its alumni, but even more young achievers yet to become well known, and many quiet achievers who have done great things behind the scenes.
See who made our list, here:
OTHER SCHOOL ALUMNI LISTS
CHURCHIE (ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL)
KIERAN PERKINS
A leg injury as a child put Kieran Perkins on the path of Olympic gold.
He followed the ‘black line’ with outstanding success until his retirement from competitive swimming in 2000, aged 27.
He was the Captain of Swimming at the College in 1990 and 1991.
Considered one of Australia’s greatest distance swimmers, he amassed 15 gold medals in Olympic (2), Commonwealth (4), World (2) and Pan Pacific (7) Games.
Perkins set 11 world records in the process.
The swimmer was also the first person in history to hold Olympic, Commonwealth, World and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously.
Awarded the 1992 Young Australian of the Year, the following year he was presented with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
He has received many other state and national awards such as Hall of Fame recognition and has been appointed to the Swimming Australia Board.
Since retirement from competitive swimming, Perkins has occasionally worked in the
broadcast media and currently has a successful career in the banking business sector.
DARREN MIDDLETON
The annual BBC Darren Middleton Song Writing Competition is judged by and named in the honour of renowned musician, Old Boy of 1988, Darren Middleton.
Lead guitarist and songwriter with Powderfinger, the band won 18 ARIA awards throughout their career.
Early days as a cover band transformed into the heady times of the early 90s, before Middleton began his solo career as a singer songwriter.
Transitions, his first solo album, epitomises his moving from the glare and publicity of large popular concerts to a quieter more reflective performer in more intimate surroundings.
In returning to BBC in 2016, he has inspired current rock musicians in performing and writing.
“These initiatives are so important. Even if nothing comes of their musical career, it’s still a passion that should be encouraged,” he said.
HY WILLIAM CHAN
HY William Chan isn’t your average architect.
The dual Convocation and University Medallist has designed Olympic stadiums, metro transit systems and entire city masterplans.
But it’s his innovations in creating inclusive and resilient cities for the homeless, slum dwellers and refugees that has garnered global attention.
A former Ambassador for UNICEF, Chan is a headline TED Speaker and World Economic Forum Global Shaper.
He uses creativity to empower communities to co-design architecture for social impact.
Invited to the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, William addressed world leaders on social entrepreneurship and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals.
An avid surf lifesaver, he was named by Forbes and Qantas as one of the region’s most influential people on the ‘30 Under 30’ and ‘100 Inspiring Australians’ lists, respectively.
He was inducted into the Australian of the Year Honour Roll in 2020.
ZACHARY FOOK
A sense of belonging, camaraderie, and the willingness to give back to help others
were part of Fook’s BBC life.
But it was a social enterprise project while studying business at the University of Queensland which motivated him to create change in the wider community.
In 2013, he set up Tippy Toe Co., Australia’s first social enterprise dance school for young people with disabilities.
In 2018, Fook diversified his dance program into ActiveEight (A8) which afforded young Under 25s with opportunities to explore their creativity, social and emotional wellbeing in a not for profit studio (aided by the NDIS Scheme).
Their innovative therapy-based programs provide occupational, speech, exercise, yoga, art, and
dance opportunities in an inclusive setting.
With the help of key BBC personnel and with collaboration from ActiveEight, the Ninja Big Brother Project launched in Term 3, 2018.
In specially developed programs, Senior BBC students buddied with Ninjas from special, state, and private schools to help improve their gross motor skills in areas of co-ordination, flexibility, and endurance.
This buddy bonding program has created compassionate, unforeseen and life-changing benefits for all.
SCOTT HUTCHINSON
On leaving the College, Scott joined the family construction company now known as
Hutchinson Builders.
The company was established in 1912 and Scott is the fourth generation to preside over the company.
Billed as one of the state’s greatest homegrown success stories, Hutchinson’s was inducted into the Queensland 400 Hall of Fame, and is one of 50 companies that have continuously remained on the Q400 list since 1991.
At the heart of Hutchinson’s, affectionately known as “Hutchies”, is their culture, which is fun but also helps others, particularly Indigenous people doing it tough and in need of a second chance.
As he leads the company through its second century, his vision is clear – to ensure Hutchinson’s remains a vibrant, contemporary and an innovative company that maintains a healthy respect for traditional values and the proud heritage that has been crafted over more than 100 years.
The company is widely recognised in the Australian construction industry and has
adopted innovative approaches to management, construction and employee relations.
Hutchinson and the company are also widely recognised for their philanthropy being strong
supporters of a wide range of cultural, sporting and community events.
Hutchinson’s generosity and love of music has presented Brisbane with an extraordinarily nostalgic yet invigorating gift to live music in the newly opened, Art Deco inspired, Fortitude music Hall.
RODNEY HALL
The two times Miles Franklin Award winner moved from England to Australia as a child after World War II and studied at the University of Queensland.
In the 1960s Hall began working as a freelance writer, and a book and film reviewer.
He also worked as an actor, and was often engaged by the ABC.
Between 1967 and 1978 he was the Poetry Editor of The Australian.
He began publishing poetry in the 1970s and has since published thirteen novels, including Just Relations and The Island in the Mind.
From 1991–1994, he served as chair of the Australia Council.
Hall now lives in Victoria.
He has won a string of literary awards and was appointed a Member of Order of Australia for “service to the Arts, particularly in the field of literature” in 1990.
Hall’s memoir Popeye Never Told You was published in 2010.
LACHLAN GILLESPIE
Gillespie began playing the piano at the age of four, and started formal singing training when he was 12.
He attended the Fame School of Performing Arts as a teenager, earned a Bachelor of Arts in musical theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
He has performed in musicals in Melbourne and New York and worked a vocal and drama coach for children.
But it is his role as the Purple Wiggle which shot him to fame.
He joined The Wiggles in 2009, touring with the “Dorothy the Dinosaur Traveling Show”, as Captain Feathersword, and then as a Wiggly Dancer and Wags the Dog during the group’s regular tour.
In 2013, he replaced founding member Jeff Fatt as the Purple Wiggle.
Gillespie hosts the short-form television show Lachy! which aired on ABC in 2016.
“Lachy’’ is also well known for his engagement — and later separation from — fellow Wiggle Emma Watkins.
DANE GAGAI
The 2017 Wally Lewis Medal winner plays as a centre, fullback and winger for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
He has also played for Australia and New Zealand Maori at international level, previously played for the Broncos and Newcastle Knights, as well as the Indigenous All Stars.
In 2017 he was named the Origin player of the series.
Born in Mackay, he is of Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Gagai’s father, Ray, was a member of the Brisbane Broncos’ squad in the 1989 NSWRL season. He is also the cousin of former New Zealand test player Josh Hoffman, former Broncos player Wendell Sailor and current Broncos player Travis Waddell.
He played his junior football for Brisbane Wests before being signed by the Broncos.
In 2017, Gagai made his international debut for Australia against England.
WILL GENIA
Sanchez William Genia is a household name in rugby union.
Currently scrum-half for the Kintetsu Liners in Japan, he has played Super Rugby for the Queensland Reds (2007-2015) and Melbourne Rebels (2018-2019) and for Australia (2009-2019).
He also had previously played for Stade Français in France’s Top 14 Comp during 2015-2017.
Genia made his test debut for Australia in 2009 against New Zealand, having since won 110 international caps and former New Zealand halfback Justin Marshall said he was “best in the world for his position”.
Born in Papua New Guinea, he was introduced to rugby union (after playing rugby league growing up in PNG) when he moved to Brisbane and boarded at BBC (from 2000 to 2005).
He played rugby for the Australia ‘A’ Schoolboys team in 2005, and was part of the Australian Under 19 rugby team that won the IRB World Championship in 2006.
Genia’s Papua New Guinean father, Kilroy Genia, is a former Cabinet Minister in the Papua New Guinean government.
His Australian mother, Elizabeth Genia, was appointed assistant governor at the Bank of Papua New Guinea in 2011.
His older brother, Frankie Genia, plays international rugby union for Papua New Guinea.
In July last year, Genia announced his test rugby retirement from top-tier rugby.
WALLACE BISHOP
The Business Leaders Hall of Fame inductee’s name is synonymous with the fine jewellery sold by the family company for a century.
Wallace Bishop junior, or Wal, joined the business in 1950, straight out of BBC, later becoming CEO in 1976.
He drove strong growth in the business coinciding with the construction across the state of major shopping malls.
Upon becoming Chairman in 2010, Wal’s son Stuart became CEO, a position he presently occupies.
Younger family members from its fifth generation are employed in the business in preparation for their roles as future leaders.
With over 50 stores and more than 500 employees, Wallace Bishop is one of Australia’s oldest and most successful family businesses.
He has also been awarded an AM.
ROBERT RIDDEL
Since graduating from architecture at QUT and the Architectural Association in London in 1976, Riddel has stamped his name on the industry in Brisbane, particularly with heritage architecture.
He began practice in 1982, he was the Founding Director of Riddel Architecture and taught part time at QUT for 10 years.
In 2012 his practice joined Conrad Gargett Architecture, Robert is now a Principal of Conrad Gargett Riddel with expertise in contemporary design, the adaptive reuse of existing buildings and heritage conservation.
Key projects include the Law School University of Queensland; Maryborough City Hall; Brisbane Customs House; National Australia Bank as well as many conservation studies and projects, public housing and domestic works.
A member of Brisbane City Council’s Independent Design Advisory Panel, the AIA National Heritage Taskforce and is a former Queensland Heritage Council Member.
JAMES HORWILL
Competitive in multiple sports during his years at the College, Horwill developed into
an outstanding rugby player, Captaining Rugby in his final year while also serving as
the Pipe Band Drum Major.
Progressing through the Queensland and Australian age teams, James, nicknamed
‘Big Kev’, played 129 games for Queensland between 2006 to 2016, Captaining
the Super Rugby Championship team in 2011.
He also played 62 tests for Australia between 2006 to 2016 with 16 as Captain including at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fellow player and a subsequent Captain, Stephen Moore, said of ‘Big Kev’: “A selfless
player who always put the team first” and “ a great contributor to the team and always
someone that did everything he could to make the team a better place to be.”
PACKER BROTHERS
Lindsay and Graham Packer were two years apart at BBC.
Kangaroo leather manufactured by the Packer brothers has a worldwide reputation in sporting fashion and luxury goods.
Established in 1891, Lindsay, and Graham and Packer generational family members have quietly dedicated themselves to producing high quality, strong and light leather products.
International shoe companies such as Nike, ASICS, and the Kookaburra Sports Brand choose Packer leather for their shoes, cricket balls and Sherrin AFL footballs.
In searching and developing a suitable leather for day and night cricket, the creation of the pink ball demanded self-control, patience and resilience in finding a solution.
CHRIS HARTLEY
Chris served as College Captain in 1999.
During his time at the College, he was an accomplished sportsman gaining Full Colors in Cricket (2 years), Rugby, Australian Rules (2 years) and Service.
He was also Captain of Cricket (2 years), and Australian Rules, and participated in cross country, soccer and swimming.
He represented Queensland and Australia in the Under 19 cricket teams from 1995 to 1999.
Chris was selected in the Queensland Cricket team in 2003 and played until the conclusion of the 2016 – 2017 season, during which time Queensland won the Sheffield Shield twice with Chris Captaining the team on 32 occasions.
He played 131 first class matches with a batting average of 34.48 and making 564 dismissals. He played 96 limited overs games with a batting average of 31.46 and taking 129 dismissals.
Chris has studied Journalism and Business at The University of Queenslandand was President of the Old Collegians Association from 2015 to 2017.
HAMISH TURNER
Hamish Turner OAM was the managing director and chief executive of world renowned bush outfitter RM Williams from 2000 to 2014.
He led the iconic Australian company through a series of expansions, selling company stake to international conglomerate, LVMH, which brought the brand to the international stage.
Turner has recently joined the Queensland University of Technology’s Creative Enterprise Australia (CEA) start-up hub.
In this mentoring role, Turner will provide guidance and advice to young entrepreneurs aiming to break into the creative tech and fashion industries.
Turner has also played important administrative roles in Tourism, Business, Agriculture and Charitable Organisations.
RICHARD CHESTERMAN
A judge with the Queensland Court of Appeal (2008-2012), Supreme Court of Queensland (1998-2008) and Mental Health Tribunal (1998-2002), his names a byword in Brisbane legal circles.
Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1983, he was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1968 and has served on numerous boards.
Born in Scotland, his father moved the family to Brisbane after World War II and he studied law after completing school at BBC.
He married Robin Ann Rushbrook, also a barrister.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2011 and resigned from the court, at the age of 66, in 2012.
ROBERT GOTTERSON
An Appeals Court justice at the Supreme Court of Queensland, he became Queen’s Counsel in 1988 and previously served as president of the Bar Association of Queensland, the Australian Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia.
Gotterson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2014 Australia Day Honours “for distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law, to legal education, administration and professional standards through a range of senior roles, and to the community of Queensland.”
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