“If your intentions are good and you’re willing to move forward, you have the power to create a better future for yourself and those around you.”— Geoffrey Smith, (TGS 2002-06) Co-founder, Australian Spatial Analytics and 2025 QLD Australian of the Year
Toowoomba Grammar School’s Senior School Speech Night was marked by a powerful address from Old Boy Geoffrey Smith (2002–06), recently named the 2025 Australian of the Year for Queensland.
Geoffrey, co-founder of Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), has become a national leader in recognising the untapped potential of neurodivergent Australians in the workforce. His organisation provides geo-spatial and engineering services while creating meaningful employment opportunities - with 80 per cent of ASA’s employees being neurodivergent and 61 per cent previously experiencing long-term unemployment.
A Strong Grammar foundation
Reflecting on his time as a boarder at TGS, Geoffrey spoke of the lessons learned in resilience, listening deeply and assuming the best in others. He recalled the camaraderie of sport and the School’s enduring emphasis on service and leadership: “Grammar instills a strong sense of prioritising support for others, over chasing power or wealth for oneself.”
These values, he said, gave him the confidence to try new things and the freedom to choose his own path, a freedom that ultimately led him to build a social enterprise that is changing lives across Australia.
Turning obstacles into opportunities
Geoffrey shared his journey from corporate data analyst to social entrepreneur. After leaving a conventional career, he worked with a small non-profit supporting people with disabilities into employment. There, he witnessed the despair of autistic Australians being systematically overlooked despite their talents.
The statistics are stark: unemployment among autistic adults is ten times higher than the general population. Yet Geoffrey recognised their unique strengths — pattern recognition, attention to detail, and analytical thinking — as precisely the skills Australia’s growing digital economy needs.
This insight became the foundation of ASA. Today, the enterprise has provided careers for more than 275 Australians, delivered projects worth over $30 million, and reinvests every dollar earned into creating new jobs.
Ripples of impact
Geoffrey described the profound ripple effects of ASA’s work — not only for employees but for their families and communities. He recalled a psychologist who contacted him to say she shares ASA’s story with parents of autistic children to lift them out of despair and show them a hopeful future.
“I had no idea how far those ripples would permeate when we started,” Geoffrey reflected.
A message for students
Speaking directly to the boys of TGS, Geoffrey urged them to embrace unexpected paths and to act with courage even when the way forward is unclear:
“Your journey does not have to follow a straight line.”
“Be a doer, not a fretter - take a different path.”
“Purpose-driven innovation shows that social and economic impact don’t need to be in competition; they can be two sides of the same coin.”
He reminded students that strength of character lies in showing up, moving forward, and supporting others along the way.
Celebrating 150 years
As TGS marks its extraordinary 150th anniversary, Geoffrey’s words resonated deeply with the School’s mission of educating boys and developing their good character for life. His story of service, innovation and resilience stands as a testament to the enduring values of Grammar and the impact its Old Boys continue to make in the world.
Geoffrey Smith’s journey reminds us that courage and purpose can transform not only individual lives but entire communities - a message that will truly echo long beyond this milestone Speech Night.
Latest Blog
Single-Sex Education and Boys’ Learning: Why It Matters
While many boys appear settled and compliant while studying, research from organisations including the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), the University of Melbourne and UNESCO suggest boys are increasingly at risk of disengaging from learning over time, particularly in literacy, motivation and academic confidence. Importantly, this disengagement is not always visible through poor behaviour or disruption. More often, it appears quietly through reduced confidence, reluctance to…
Nurturing Curious Minds
Children are naturally curious about their world and always eager to explore. Harnessing that energy and enthusiasm is key for us in the Junior School. We want our boys to expand their knowledge base and approach learning with a passion that will set them up for the Senior School and beyond. First, let’s clarify some terms: extension and enrichment. Extension is curriculum-focused; it’s where a student’s knowledge, understanding and skills are advanced. Students feel a sense of “stretch” and…
Where it Began
Two of the three books that Louis has published are tucked into the Fantasy section in the W.M. Dent Library I really think my enthusiasm began in the younger grades, when an annual writing competition encouraged all boys to think creatively. This was where I was first truly introduced to writing fiction. These competitions planted a seed of creativity in my mind that would later grow. That seed first flourished in Years 5 and 6, when I wrote my first book with help from a friend called…
A Steady Rhythm, Exceptional Results
When Henry Geise first picked up the clarinet in Year 4, playing an instrument was compulsory at his primary school; he simply gave it a go. What followed has been shaped less by a single decision and more by years of steady commitment. Henry’s love of clarinet started when he was around eight years old He started on clarinet and bass guitar at the same time, and those two instruments have remained his favourites despite trying piano and picking up acoustic guitar more recently. “I would have…
2026 College Baudoux Visit
Early this term, we were delighted to host 24 students and two teachers for a week-long exchange, an experience made possible through the generosity of TGS families and our valued partnership with Fairholme College. What makes this exchange so special is the richness of the cultural experience. While 15 boys were immersed in daily life at TGS, the nine girls attended Fairholme College, allowing both schools to play an active role. Across the week, students participated in lessons, school…
Beyond Achievement: Cultivating Humanity in Boys’ Education
Mark Oliphant, Head of Senior School and Acting Deputy Headmaster and Luke Rawle, Head of Teacher Learning presenting in Adelaide The International Boys’ School Coalition Australasian Regional Conference was co-hosted by Prince Alfred College and St Peter’s College in Adelaide, South Australia between 3-5 May. The conference theme of Cultivating Humanity: A Compelling Responsibility in Boys’ Education drew over 150 educators from boys’ schools across Australia and New Zealand. Many of the…
Echoes of Home: Boarding is who we are
It's there in the early mornings before the day has properly begun, in the noise of boys lining up in the dining hall and in the easy banter that carries them back from sport in the afternoon. Just as often, it shows up in the quieter moments, the ones that tend to go unnoticed at the time but, slowly and steadily, shape who they become. There's also a shared understanding that doesn't need much explaining. What good rainfall means after a long dry spell, or how strong cattle prices on a Friday…
Fiji Rugby Tour 2026: Lessons in Adaptability and Gratitude
Set against the stunning backdrop of Fiji, the tour, held from 3 to 10 April 2026, blended high-level competition, cultural immersion and unexpected challenges. Two demanding matches against local opposition tested adaptability and resilience, while a late-season Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu forced significant changes to plans and schedules. Throughout the disruption, the boys’ behaviour was exemplary, drawing praise from hosts and reinforcing the values at the heart of the program. Based in…
Musicians First, Teachers Always
When the lights came up on & Juliet at the Empire Theatre, more than 6,700 audience members were treated to a bold, high‑energy production backed by an extraordinary team of professional musicians. Among them were two familiar faces from Toowoomba Grammar School: Ms Teresa Brix and Mr Mark Chalmers. For the TGS community, their involvement in one of the region’s largest theatrical productions is something to celebrate, not simply as a professional achievement, but as a powerful reminder of…
