Fairholme stalwart urges TGS Senior School students to “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 the end of the first term in 2025.

Dr Linda Evans' address to the TGS Senior School focused on character and its importance.

She herself has noted that in deciding to leave “a most special school,” “it is a cruel reality that in our leaving, we have the greatest clarity.”

It was that clarity she leaned upon as the special guest of Toowoomba Grammar School’s 148th Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony at the Empire Theatre last week.

Her prime focus in her address was to examine character, a deliberate stroke of synchronicity aligning with our School’s purpose of “educating boys and developing their good character for life.”

Below is an excerpt from Dr Linda Evans’ address:

"We seek out pinnacle moments, don’t we? Top team. Awards. Prefect. We imagine these achievements will define us, make us whole – through them, we will reach the metaphoric mountaintop. Seductively, in each pinnacle moment – whatever they are, there will be 15 seconds of pure euphoria. But, there always comes the 16th second. There has to. Have no regrets in the 16th second; achieving goals should never be paid for by the lack of attending to character."

“Have no regrets in the 16th second” is the title of the speech Kyle Martin gave at The King’s Academy’s graduation ceremony. He explains that he regrets graduating top of his class because while for 15 seconds it felt really good being named Valedictorian, on the 16th second he thought, “That’s it?!”

Through her eloquent address, Dr Evans put to the audience that it was the idea of how a person dealt with the 16th second that makes all the difference in life.

She delved into Ancient Greek references on the definition of the word character and then pointed to some investigations of what it means as a description of one’s personal traits and that it can be your lasting legacy.

From quoting New Zealand cricketing star Daniel Vettori’s Italian grandfather’s advice on staying humble, “Keep a small head, Daniel,” and linking it to American entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn’s quote, “Do not pursue success; attract success by the person you become.”

Dr Evans stated that when she thinks of the best of the TGS graduates she has crossed paths with, she believes this is their strength. “Not just in becoming a CEO, medical specialist, media star, although many will do this… but in becoming a person of worth rather than someone seeking accolades of worth: someone of character.”

In her time at Fairholme College, she said there were twelve shared musicals and, of course, many ferocious debates, noting the last win by TGS was still quite fresh. Dr Evans also said she admired particularly Old Boy and Paralympian Jeremy Peacock (2005-09), whose family has a staff connection to Fairholme College and whose whole sporting career has been one of true grit.

She also spoke of the Sony Camp where she simply said she had seen “the best of many.”

Her address told of a recent interaction with a Year 8 student at TGS. He was part of the debating team and was guiding Dr Evans to the right classroom on the night of the grand final between our two schools. She recalled his kindness and respect, as it was evident even though it was apparent he wasn’t aware of her standing as the Fairholme College Principal.

“That’s the point, it didn’t matter - because at his core was good character,” she said.

Dr Evans spoke of her own daughter’s continued friendship with TGS Old Boy Lincoln Humphries (2002-07), a television news anchor, noted emcee, raconteur and compere and his key character traits of being socially adept, confident, and accomplished. She explained that she remembered a young man in her home, sitting at her family’s dining room table in his own 16th second. She said in that moment he was “witty, reflective and at times, uncertain, always respectful, always polite.”

Her recall was then of a man who in his life and work always maintained a strong sense of obligation as he continued to hold a deep interest and care for his peer group from TGS. She said she believes he still feels a depth of responsibility to these men, some now fathers and accomplished in their own careers.

“I have seen them celebrate their 15-second moments but walk with them into their 16th seconds and beyond. Lincoln knows what it means to leave no one behind.”

She spoke of some of her greatest achievements outside her role at Fairholme, including playing touch football for Australia, but noted raising her family with her ‘notoriously patient husband’ was what mattered most. “Above all else, these three people are my greatest loves and my greatest achievements: have no regrets in the 16th second – where life primarily sits.”

One of the sagest pieces of advice from her address was a sporting analogy: “Be the first to set foot on the field in search of your pinnacle moments, they matter, they drive us, they teach us – but also be the last to step off the field – mindful of others around you, behind you – those that need you.”

Her parting advice to students reiterated the quote, “watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

Gilbert Tighe, Mr Barry O'Sullivan, Dr Linda Evans, Dr John Kinniburgh, Hedley Donges, Rupeni Baravilala

Latest Blog

Senior School
/
Friday, 01 Dec 2023

Get Involved in Everything

As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…

Read More
Teaching & Learning
/
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023

The Importance of Knowledge

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling great distances. As a child growing up in rural New South Wales, this was inevitable. The region was speckled with towns, some more vibrant than others, and diverse landscapes where hillside ruins whispered tales of bygone eras. Over time, these landscapes and towns transformed into familiar scenes, with even minor changes in the community and environment growing more noticeable during each visit. Education parallels this journey, as…

Read More
Senior School
/
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023

Senior TGS Students' Advice for Starting Senior School

Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Here are some tips from some Year 7 Grammar boys who started Senior School in 2023. Get involved in different sports and activities Toowoomba Grammar School provides many sports and activities that any student can participate in. As a current Year 7 student, I highly recommend trying out as many different sports and activities as you can. Throughout my first year in high school, I…

Read More
Senior School
/
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023

Transition to Senior School at TGS

Starting at a new school 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, this is the start of a long and special journey. Your son will have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus to navigate, different teachers and lessons, making new friends, where to go and what to do at morning tea and lunch. There can be a…

Read More
Senior School
/
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2023

The Transition to Year 7 - from a Parent and Staff Member's Perspective

Regardless of your history with the school, you are all equally welcome here and should feel comfortable in knowing that we value every family and their son’s contribution to our School. Toowoomba Grammar School was built by the community, for the community and it is a School that I am immensely proud of. In 2025 we will celebrate our sesquicentenary or Grammar 150 and your sons will play a vital role in those celebrations. Our pedagogy is modelled on explicit instruction which has its roots in…

Read More
Boarding
/
Monday, 13 Nov 2023

Boarding Families - Surviving Homesickness

Homesickness can be brutal for both the child and their parents. As a parent it can feel like your heart is being ripped out in some cases daily. It is extremely hard hearing how sad your boy may sound on the phone, and then you are left reeling for 24hrs until the next call, you are often left worried that they are feeling like this ALL DAY. Rest assured only vary rare cases are that bad, they usually improve as they settle in, and it is temporary. The reality is that most boys tend to save…

Read More
Boarding
/
Monday, 13 Nov 2023

Helpful Tips for New Boarding Parents

Name absolutely everything! Socks, undies, phone chargers, water bottles, caps. EVERYTHING!! Make sure you name items with Boy’s name & House number; most parents will put their senior house number if printing the tags so they don’t have to rename items when they move the following year (Corfe House doesn’t have a house number). Some boys find a double bed doona is a better option than single doona as it hangs down the sides of the bed a little more to keep them warmer in winter. An…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Wednesday, 08 Nov 2023

Parenting Styles: Parties and the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, parents and caregivers find themselves immersed in the joy and bustle of festivities. Amidst the celebrations, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the pivotal role our parenting styles play in shaping our children’s attitudes and behaviours, especially concerning alcohol and other drug use. As a father of four young people with my fifth child coming into our family on 8 December 2023, I’m particularly mindful of my parenting style and my role as School…

Read More
Boarding
/
Thursday, 02 Nov 2023

Building the Boarding Experience - at Home

Family connections is a vital aspect of our Toowoomba Grammar School boarding program that we hold close to our heart. Our Heads of House regularly make the effort to visit our boarding families so they have a better understanding of our boarders' lives, the challenges and experiences, and staff always enjoy the warmth and hospitality provided by families. Head of Corfe House, Henry White and his wife, Samantha recently spent a weekend with the Acton family on Dalgonally Station near Julia…

Read More