“Confronting, emotional and unforgettable, it was the moment the trip really shifted from being a tour to something that mattered.”— Jack Mowbray, Year 11
Travelling to Cambodia gave 32 boys from Toowoomba Grammar School an experience that was both challenging and transformative.
Across twelve days with RAW Impact, the group moved through moments of cultural immersion, physical work, reflection and genuine connection with local communities. Their words capture the impact more powerfully than any adult could.
Phnom Penh: Confronting history to understand the present
The tour began in Phnom Penh, where the group visited the Killing Fields and S21 before beginning their service work. For many boys, this was the moment they realised the tour would be life changing. As Year 12 student Jack Mowbray reflected, the experience was eye opening and provided the context they needed to approach the work with maturity and empathy.
Video and photography kindly supplied by Raw Impact.
Every Piece Matters Village: Building with purpose
From Phnom Penh the group travelled to the Every Piece Matters Village where the service component began in earnest. The boys worked long days digging, lifting, mixing and building a house for a local family who had never before lived in a structured home. It was an exercise in teamwork and perseverance.
The experience taught the boys humility and reinforced the power of service undertaken with respect and purpose.
“Building the house together was important but handing it over mattered more. There was no big moment or speech, only quiet gratitude and dignity and smiles that did not need words.”— Jack Mowbray, Year 11
Kratie: Working beside the Mekong
After three days of work the group travelled north to Kratie, a small village along the Mekong River.
“Eating from Australian expat owned cafes with views of the vast Mekong River while soaking up the difference in scenery and lifestyle from our home in Australia, then crossing the Mekong by barge and riding bicycles to the next worksite added to the sense of adventure as we worked on bricklaying for housing and bathroom facilities and dug trenches for water pipes.”— Henry Ballinger, Year 11
Siem Reap: Sunrise moments and cultural understanding
The final days of the tour were spent in Siem Reap, a city rich in culture and history. The group rose before dawn for a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat by tuk tuk and spent their evenings exploring the local night markets.
“Soaking up the culture and gaining further understanding of the rich history of Cambodia.”— Henry Ballinger, Year 11
A rite of passage that shapes young men
Across the trip, the boys demonstrated the character and care that sit at the heart of the Toowoomba Grammar School community.
For many, the tour was a pivotal experience.
“Language barriers did not matter. What mattered was effort, curiosity and connection.”— Jack Mowbray, Year 11
“A great opportunity to develop and strengthen leadership skills, learn and experience a new culture and see firsthand the huge impact that we can make in such little time.”— Henry Ballinger, Year 11
In their own words, the boys made clear that the Cambodia Cultural and Service Tour was far more than travel. It was a chance to grow as individuals and as a team, to understand the world in a deeper way and to appreciate the value of service that uplifts others with dignity and respect.
Latest Blog
Fostering Growth and Resilience
This philosophy is vividly demonstrated through our Junior School MATES program, an initiative designed to equip boys from Prep to Year 6 with the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Year 6 leader Hugo Seaby epitomises what the program is all about. As a leader in Stephens House, he explains its importance: “It’s about spending time with the younger boys and learning about honesty, respect, kindness and other attributes like that.” He said that it’s helpful for the…
Preparing for the Future of Work
For months I have been watching the earthworks being undertaken ahead of construction for the new DET Centre at Toowoomba Grammar School with interest. It is hard to miss, given that the Headmaster’s residence, our family home, is right next to the building site. The vibrations can be unsettling, and the noises are constant. However, each day reminds me of the important work underway to secure a part of the School’s future. Soon, all boys at TGS will have the opportunity to immerse themselves…
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Remembering Tony Booth OAM
As a schoolboy, Tony excelled at athletics, demonstrating exceptional speed and talent. He went on to win Queensland titles in both the 100 yards and 440 yards, establishing himself as one of the state's premier sprinters. From 1956 to 1989, Tony devoted more than three decades to coaching athletics, cross-country, swimming and rugby at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) in Brisbane, where he became a beloved mentor to countless students. His dedication, expertise and genuine care for…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Remembering William Vaughan Hinton OAM
That spirit of curiosity and courage would carry him through a life of service, media innovation and deep care for others. William Vaughan Hinton OAM Vaughan's career began as a cadet reporter at the Toowoomba Chronicle in 1948, followed by work at ABC Radio. This early start launched a lifelong vocation in public service media, built on his belief that stories could shape understanding, challenge assumptions and bring people closer to one another. After completing national service with the…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
