Brisbane Boys’ College’s All-Star coaching roster headed by John Buchanan

An elite Brisbane school has spared no expense in recruiting and keeping an all-star coaching roster to guide them through the ultra competitive GPS sport program.

John Millman is heading up Brisbane Boys College highly successful tennis program.

Brisbane Boys’ College says it has an all-star team of coaches set to make an impact in GPS sport, with a former Australian cricket coach, All-Black and tennis pro on the roster.

Headmaster Andre Casson says they have retained John Buchanan, former Australian cricket coach, as the First XI coach while Dan Leo, coach of the Queensland Under 21 Rugby team, is the First XVI coach.

Added to the roster is former Bronco and All Black great Brad Thorn as an assistant rugby coach while ex world No.33 John Millman back in Brisbane as a coach for the tennis program.

And that’s not all.

In addition to back-to-back National School Boy Tennis Champions, Brisbane Boys’ College is also ranked No.3 in the world in Pipe Band and is the only Australian school with a standing invitation to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

BBC chair Don O’Rorke says Casson’s vision of a program that provides more than one way to thrive for every student has resonated with enrolment inquiries at an all-time high.

Brad Thorne back when he was with the Brisbane Broncos.

New digs

A cutting edge ASX-listed company that specialising in producing ultra-high purity aluminium materials has expanded into a site in Brisbane’s inner east.

Alpha HPA has secured a new 8540 sqm office/warehouse at 341 Thynne Rd, Morningside, to expand its synthetic sapphire businesses, driven by surging global demand in the semiconductor sector.

Alpha HPA managing director Rob Williamson (illustrated) says the new facility was a practical step for the business as its HPA commercialisation and sapphire program gains momentum.

“This site gives us the space and flexibility to meet operational needs and become the main corporate function for the company,” he says.

“It will enable us to expand our synthetic sapphire production, which underpins critical export markets in semiconductors, LED technology, and optics.”

Alpha HPA Managing Director Rob Williamson.

The Brisbane expansion comes as Alpha HPA continues to build its presence in Queensland, including its flagship project in Gladstone – set to become the world’s largest single-site manufacturing facility for ultra-high purity aluminium materials.

Once fully operational, the Gladstone facility will produce more than 10,000 tonnes of high-purity aluminium products. The project is supported by $400m in funding under the under the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia initiative.

Office sale

Property funds management company CorVal has sold the balance of the Gold Coast Corporate Centre in Bundall for $109m - to ratepayers- in what is tipped to be the largest office tower deal in the city.

Gold Coast City Council bought the Corporate Centre One tower having also purchased the neighbouring Wydham Corporate tower from CorVal for $46.25m in 2023.

The 17-storey Corporate One Centre currently generates more than $6m in net revenue in income from its 37 tenants including KPMG, Findex, Hickey Lawyers and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

The sale was negotiated by CBRE’s Mark Witheriff and Jack Morrison.

Backed by richlister Andrew Roberts, CorVal purchased the entire Corporate Centre precinct in 2017 for $89m, from fund manager Cromwell and has now divested its entire ownership.

“This transaction represents the largest office transaction ever on the Gold Coast and is testament to the city of Gold Coast’s forward thinking in securing a key office investment asset with a huge surplus landholding, allowing for a multitude of future uses,” Witheriff says.

Corporate Centre One on the Gold Coast.

Originally published as Brisbane Boys’ College’s All-Star coaching roster headed by John Buchanan