Old boys’ call to arms for underdog in GPS rugby competition
Some of Brisbane’s most famous rugby sons have issued a call to arms for the underdog of the GPS competition in a bid to level the financial playing field.
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The only state school in the GPS rugby competition is turning to its old boys to build a warchest to level the financial playing field.
Old boys of Brisbane State High School are banding together to launch a state high rugby supporters network to ensure that schoolboy rugby not be divided down the line of the haves and have-nots.
The campaign was sparked by The Courier-Mail’s story revealing parents at other GPS schools were paying up to $4m for an “obscene” number of rugby scholarships.
Former wallabies, including Mark Bartholomeusz, will attend an upcoming centenary dinner to issue a rallying cry for financial assistance to the alumni network who now live and work at the top end of town.
Bartholomeusz is backing the push for more structured funding because of the opportunities the State High rugby team gave to boys from all walks of life.
He said he was grateful for the rugby program, which he described as the best in Queensland, because he got to play against tough competition from a young age.
“There were kids who lived all over Brisbane and we came together from all different backgrounds, in terms of former schools and cultures, with the common goal of being successful against the private schools,” Bartholomeusz said.
“State High will never have the spending power of other schools in the GPS, and to a large extent, that’s not the point.
“But what we do have is fighting spirit, the underdog mentality and a really engaged group of former students - men and women - who want to see their old school succeed.”
Dr Nick Girdis OBE has also joined the push for a supporters network, crediting his success to his early years at the South Brisbane school.
Born to Greek migrant parents in Brisbane’s West End in 1926, Dr Girdis graduated from State High as school captain and captain of the First XV rugby team.
He went on to study at university and become a dentist before setting up his own property development company, helping to build Fisherman’s Wharf on the Gold Coast and Dockside in Brisbane.
“I wouldn’t have achieved any of that were it not for State High,” Dr Girdis said.
Wally Lewis, Mosese Raulini and current Wallaby Jordan Petaia are among the rugby greats on the school’s honour roll.
Petaia said he couldn’t be prouder.
“Some of the greatest players that Brisbane has produced have come from modest backgrounds,” he said. “A school like Brisbane State High gives opportunity to kids who might not otherwise ever have a chance to shine. Anything I can do to give back, I’m more than happy to do.”
Fundraisers such as sausage sizzles, manned by parent volunteers, plus regular funding from the school itself have previously paid for essentials for the rugby program - but it’s hoped by tapping the alumni network more structure can be put around fundraising activities.
Training equipment, specialised coaches and playing uniforms are high on the priority list.
Funds raised at the State High Centenary Rugby Dinner at The Greek Club on July 31 will support the coaches and players of the program.
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