“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
Time for a Wake Up Call
Did you know that one in five 12–17-year-olds average over 8 hours of screen time a day? That means that in a 14-hour day, 57% of their waking hours involve looking at a screen! This madness is contributing to a very significant problem all teenagers face - sleep deprivation. It is killing us. We are becoming walking zombies rather than happy, growing lads. However, we can end this treacherous technological tyranny by putting down our screens before bed. Stop and think for a second. How much…
Breaking the Stigma
Strangling you in chains. Smothering you in despair. Anxiety and depression can be mighty beasts to break free from. Unfortunately, the state of traditional masculinity is reinforcing these chains. Mental health is a major threat to the well-being of men. This cage constructs barriers and borders which limit their ability to thrive in the modern world. Traditional Masculinity refers to a set of societal expectations foregrounded through the centuries by gender roles, stereotypes and beliefs.…
The Power of Gratitude
“What do you say mate?” your mum nudges you as the waitress hands you your dinosaur nuggets. “Thank you.” You have always been told to use good manners, and to say thank you, but what does thank you actually mean? Is it just two meaningless words uttered with monotonous regularity, or is it a tool that can alleviate mental health issues generating happiness and a sense of wellbeing? Gratitude is the sunlight that lights up those dark days. The ability to be grateful is at the core of personal…
The Silent Epidemic: Unveiling the Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
“Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.” William Shakespeare (Macbeth, 1606) Heart Disease, Cancer, and Alzheimer's. Three life-threatening diseases. Three diseases all linked to lack of sleep. According to Dr. Okorie from the children’s health division of Stanford University, “7 out of 10 high school students are falling short of… (sleep) on school nights.” The Bulk of American teens are not getting…
Tik Tok - From Fun to Fear
Social media platforms have ingrained themselves into our daily lives in a time when technology is constantly evolving and drawing millions of users with seductive features and never-ending streams of captivating content. Among these, TikTok has become a worldwide phenomenon, captivating users with its viral challenges and short-form films. Underneath the fun and inventiveness however, there is growing concern about the risks connected to TikTok and other social media platforms. TikTok's…
Active Procrastination – Unlocking the Gates of Time
“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” - Christopher Parker – professional actor. Unfortunately, procrastination is a term that we are all familiar with as students; the vast majority of us have experienced it firsthand. It saps our time and results like a parasite, a burden on its host. However, despite it’s reputation, recent studies have shown that when harnessed correctly, procrastination can be a powerful tool to improve both academic efficiency…
It Takes a Village...
The Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding community plays a pivotal role in shaping the young minds of our boarders and instilling values whilst creating a sense of mateship that can last a lifetime. The nurturing and supportive network of staff not only ensure a safe and structured environment but also cultivates a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the boys. ‘The staff supply the fuel to the ship but ultimately it is the boys who steer it and decide upon its final destination’. Our TGS…
Unlocking Literacy - The Big Six Elements for Your Child’s Reading Success
Literacy skills are a core component of each day for our students, and parents often ask how they can support this from home. I am delighted to share with our parent community the essential components that underpin successful reading development. These elements, known as the Big Six, provide a solid foundation for your son’s literacy journey. These critical building blocks include: Oral Language: Communication skills are the bedrock of reading. Encourage rich conversations with your child.…
The Journey of a Boarding Mother
When you look up mother in the dictionary it reads: female parent of a child. When you look up boarder, it simply reads: a child who lives away from home. So, put “boarder mother” together and we have: the female parent of a child who lives away from home – if only it were that simple. My definition of boarding mother is: a strong, dedicated unbelievably great female parent of a child who has the wisdom to put her son’s educational needs, wellbeing and lifelong endeavours before her own. A…
