“I ended up with a tag in my head and bled a lot but had no idea how bad it was until halftime. That was rugby in those days, rougher, harder and you just kept going.”— Malcolm Powell, TGS 1948-52
On Saturday, 16 August, Toowoomba Grammar School and Downlands College will take to the field once more for the 76th annual O’Callaghan Cup, an iconic rugby fixture rich in tradition, rivalry and pride.
This year’s match holds special meaning, as it marks 75 years since the very first O’Callaghan Cup clash in 1950. Among those who remember the early days is Malcolm Powell, a proud TGS Old Boy (1948-52) who played fullback for the First XV in 1951.
Malcolm, now in his nineties, still vividly recalls the thrill of those early games.
“I watched the first Cup from the sidelines, I was in the Thirds that year,” Malcolm recalls.
“Downlands won that match (15-6), but that was fitting really because they had donated the Cup after all.”
The following year, Malcolm was excited to be selected for the First XV and had the privilege of taking the field.
“We won that match pretty easily (6-0),” he says. “We led from start to finish.”
And it was a tough game.
It was a different era, there was no grandstand tunnel, no media build-up and only a few hundred spectators.
“It didn’t have the hype like it does now,” Malcolm reflects. “There wasn’t the crowd or the fanfare, but we were so proud to play. At the end of the game we just shook hands, accepted the result and waited for the presentation. It was about the game.”
That game in 1951 was one of two that year, an unusual occurrence.
“I don’t remember why we had two,” he chuckles. “Might have been the wet weather playing havoc with the GPS season and we needed to pick up an extra game. But I remember the cheering when we won. That always stays with you.”
Malcolm has watched the O’Callaghan Cup grow from a modest schoolboy fixture into a celebrated event drawing thousands of spectators each year.
“It’s amazing to see what it’s become. I’ve been to quite a few games over the years. I love the atmosphere, and the boys always put on a great game. I hope to be there this year. TGS needs the win!”
Currently, the tally stands even: 36 wins apiece with three draws - testament to the fierce but respectful rivalry between the schools.
“It’s always been about sportsmanship as much as competition,” Malcolm notes.
Beyond rugby, Malcolm embraced every part of school life. A Prefect in 1951, he was involved in athletics, swimming, cricket, cadets and school plays.
“I was sport mad,” he admits. “But what I loved most was the camaraderie. Mates were mates. You could rely on each other—something that came from the spirit of the times after the War.”
His achievements speak volumes about his character. In 1951 alone, he was named Best All-Rounder and he won numerous Speech Day prizes from 1948 to 1951, including the Belford Prize and the Kelvin Boys Memorial Prize for English and Physics. A scholarship to university to study Engineering followed, made possible by his academic excellence.
“TGS was a great place for me,” Malcolm says. “My older brother was there too. He helped guide me. The Headmaster set a good example, we had to stand up and own our actions. That stayed with me.”
From the bloodied rucks of the 1950s to today’s fast-paced matches, Malcolm Powell has witnessed firsthand the enduring legacy of the O’Callaghan Cup and the spirit of Toowoomba Grammar School. His memories are more than stories they’re part of the fabric that has shaped 75 years of tradition.
As the current First XV prepares to take the field, they carry with them the hopes of the School and the pride of those who came before them. If you’re at the game this year, look out for Malcolm in the crowd. He’ll be there, cheering on the Blue and Gold, just like he’s so many years before.
More information about the history of Grammar Downlands Day and this year’s program of events is available on our website.
Latest Blog
Transitioning to Year 7 at TGS
Can you remember your first day in secondary school? It can be a time of mixed feelings - very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Irrespective of whether your son is joining us from the TGS Junior School, or if they are just starting at Toowoomba Grammar School, it can appear to be the start of a long journey. It is a rite of passage in many respects but with this comes increased emotions in response to transition. The boys have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus…
The Boarding Journey
Every parent will have a unique journey with their son whilst he is boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School. I’m Kym Wright, mother of Clancy, who is in Year 12 and this is my journey…. From my very first experience with Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding ten years ago, I had a good feeling straight away that TGS would be the perfect fit for my son. I was picking up my nephew for lunch. He had started boarding at TGS just six weeks prior. It was pouring rain and there were boys enthusiastically…
Building Self-Confidence and Resilience in Year 7s
As your child enters the new and unknown world of secondary school, it is a very important time to nurture the confidence and self-esteem of your son. Adolescence can also be a time of bewildering physical changes and strong emotions, opinions and increasing independence. Nurturing their confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness will go a long way to helping them to have the self-belief to tackle difficult new academic challenges, to developing new friendships and social skills, and…
Introducing our new Head of Year 7 - Jodi Blades
My family moved from Brisbane to Toowoomba when I was ten years of age. I’ve lived here for most of my life, other than to study and begin my teaching career in Brisbane. I lived and worked in London for 18 months before returning to Toowoomba in 2001. With over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading pastoral care programs within independent day and boarding schools, I am dedicated to developing students holistically; the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and physical development of…
Holiday Reading Recommendations
Here is a snapshot; three titles from each year level, and from Head of Library and Information Services, Mr Dan Crook to inspire your choices for holiday reading: Year 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The last Ronin. Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Billy Slaters autobiography - Billy Slater Year 8: The dead of the night (Tomorrow series) - James Marsden Rangers Apprentice The ruins of Gorlan - John Flannagan The Hunger games. -Suzanne Collins Year 9: Back to the Pillaga - Tony Parsons Deadpool Samurai…
Life After School
As children grow and develop, they participate in a range of new experiences, with the “journey” from birth to adulthood being shaped by several awaited and expected transitions. These transitions occur across a range of context and help us to evolve in new environments. It is important to note that transition is associated with a change, which is something that happens for all of us. The concept of transition involves how we process, manage, and respond to the change. As adults, we work hard…
TGS Artist in Residence - Ben Tupas
I’ve been following Toowoomba Grammar School’s exciting Artist-in-residence program for several years. After seeing fellow Toowoomba artists such as Catherine Parker, Alice Weinthal and Vincent Parisi taking up the opportunity and engaging in the program, I decided to apply in 2022 to continue the momentum of my own artist practice. With the four-week residency wrapping up at the end of October, and some time to reflect on the experience I can write that the experience was a valuable…
The Transition to Secondary School
Research shows us that the move from a primary school to a secondary school is one of the most significant life changes that our young men will face. You can help make the transition to Senior School smoother by ensuring that the boys attend the orientation days, practice packing their bags and getting their sports, music, and activities equipment ready. When asked about tips for the boys coming into Year 7, current Year 7 dayboy, Ollie Wells suggests boys should “Be organised. Pack the night…
Nothing is Impossible
Toowoomba Grammar School's Year 7C English has been studying 'Cool Runnings' to learn about how stories or movies based on real life aren't always completely true. Extremely fascinated by the topic, young student Harry Ryan took it upon himself to message (via LinkedIn) the bobsled driver, Mr Dudley Stokes - he responded! After a little communication between the two, Harry asked Mr Stokes if he could FaceTime him during an English lesson, to 'meet' his teacher Mr Paul Irwin and classmates…
