St Mary’s Toowoomba Old Boys bring back famous ‘Brothers Ball’

St Mary’s College Old Boys Association set the groundwork for millions of dollars of developments at the school, now they’re set to re-launch to continue giving back.

With the likes of Johnathon Thurston, Tommy Gorman and John Wagner among their number, St Mary’s College Toowoomba Old Boys have quite the tradition.

In recent years the numbers of the Old Boys Association have dropped which the current crop of old boys are looking to address.

“We’re having a sort of relaunch to reinvigorate the spirit of the Old Boys Association,” St Mary’s Old Boys president Jeremy Cotter explained.

“We’ve just spent $200,000 redoing the floors of the Clive Berghofer Arena here at the school and we’re having a celebration and membership launch in the arena from 5pm, Friday, March 4.

“All former students of the school are invited and encouraged to come along and hear what is happening and discuss where we go from here.”

St Mary's Old Boys Association members (from left) Louis Reen, Rob Thomas and Jeremy Cotter in the Clive Berghofer Arena. The Arena was a project of the Old Boys completed in 2006 and is now undergoing renovation. Picture: Kevin Farmer

St Mary’s Old Boys Association has been responsible for the development of the Hill St fields and buildings which started to be put together from a block of houses back in the mid-1970s.

The then Old Boys Association members acquired houses one by one, sold them off for removal and then created what is today first class ovals, sporting and entertainment facilities.

Today’s Old Boys executive includes Mr Cotter as president, Louis Reen vice president, David Fitzpatrick treasurer, Rob Thomas secretary and Paul Canning and Damian Wilson committee members.

“We hope to reinvigorate the Old Boys and to carry on the great work that the association has done at the school over the years,” Mr Cotter said.

“This event forms a key building block for our 2022 vision which includes the continued renovation of Clive Berghofer Arena with support from the TRC, a decade reunion weekend for 2012-1952, the return of the Brothers Ball, Old Boys Golf Day, monthly meet and plenty more.”

To RSVP, follow the link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/old-boys-welcome-tickets-274021835687?fbclid=IwAR3cIXwy7gGV3XnLeeVEfxeAgDZG7u6j0j6sMxbrF8G2frYZ6E-SFpoGrMo