“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.
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