Tony Booth OAM, born in Toowoomba in 1929, was a champion athlete and lifelong servant of sport whose influence shaped generations of young Australians.
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 young athletes left an indelible mark on the school community and the broader sporting landscape.
Tony's lifetime of service to athletics at school, state, national and international levels was recognised in 2015 when he was honoured on the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. His contributions to sport were further acknowledged with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Tony Booth is remembered as a champion athlete, dedicated coach and respected community figure whose legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and inspired throughout his remarkable career in sport.
Latest Blog
Gummingurru Excursion - Deep Time History of Australia on our Doorstep
Gummingurru is unique in being the best-preserved initiation site in southeast Queensland, including bora rings and various stone arrangements that have ancient links to the totems and kinship practices of the Jarowair and Giabal people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, as well as the broader region within the highly significant cultural landscape of the Bunya Mountains. The boys were welcomed to, and guided through, the site and its learning centre by Mr Shannon Bauwens, a Western Wakka…
Responding to Negative Peer Interactions
As we approach the end of Term 3, we find it is typically a time when boys start to get tired and emotional and are most likely to make poor decisions that can lead to relationship challenges between peers. Comments and humour shared between mates that may have been received without concern in the first week of the term may change as boys start to tire and their tolerance levels decrease. This may lead to boys reacting with heightened and overly emotional responses. This is normal as boys are…
Remembering James Russell McWilliam AO
Jim McWilliam was a pioneering agricultural scientist and the first Director of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (1982–89), where he built lasting partnerships between Australian researchers and developing countries. James Russell McWilliam AO Born near Leyburn, Queensland, Jim studied forestry at the University of Queensland and in the US, completing a PhD at Yale. He worked with the Queensland Forestry Service, CSIRO and later as Professor of Agronomy at the…
Boarding is who we are
Our boarders make up nearly one third of our student cohort from Years 5 to 12, which enables us to consider the boarding experience in all that we do at the School. Every boarding experience at TGS is about equipping boys with the skills to function as a student and preparing them for their future.
Making a Positive Impact with Homework Assistance
The Anglicare Homework Assistance Program (HAP), run in conjunction with Darling Heights State School, sees many of our boys volunteer their time on Wednesdays after class to help many young refugee and primary school students facing challenging times with their homework, or to chat and play games. Our boys thoroughly enjoy meeting, supporting and learning about the lives of the younger children. This forges community connections and fosters inclusion for the Darling Heights students; it also…
Fresh Faces Guide - TGS Sportsmen into the Fray
With their dedication to excellence and player development, TGS athletes are in good hands as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of competitive sports.
Honouring Tradition, Preparing for the Future
They will invariably be inspired by effective teaching and the satisfaction of personal achievement will always be motivating. At Toowoomba Grammar School, the power of high-quality instructional practices has resulted in the development of a strong academic culture that has endured for nearly 150 years. Preserving core principles provides stability and continuity. However, we must be open to continuously adapting our methods so that our students are well-prepared for the ever-changing world…
We See You - Mitchell Wilkes
That was the heart-wrenching diagnosis for Year 10 student, Mitchell Wilkes, right on Christmas in 2021. Mitchell’s mum noticed he wasn’t reading properly and had a gut feeling that there was something wrong with his eyesight. A trip to the optometrist revealed a thinning in the retina, and further tests showed that Mitchell had a genetic condition called Stargardt Disease, a juvenile macular degeneration illness that results in slow central vision loss.
Correcting our School's official record commemorating World War I and World War II
On the eve of our 150th year, we're calling on the School's alumni, parents, past parents and greater community to aid us in correcting the record of our involvement in two watershed geopolitical events of the 20th century. For the last four years Toowoomba Grammar School Museum Volunteers, Mrs Ann Hallam and Mrs Sue Palmer, have been updating the School records on Old Boys, staff and Trustees for the World War I and World War II theatres of war. Over the years several staff and volunteers have…
