It’s time we put this age-old rumour to rest once and for all…
The Toowoomba Grammar School ovals are not painted, dyed or manufactured grass; rather, the glorious green that greets passers-by as they drive into the Garden City comes from the sheer hard work and dedication of our TGS grounds team, led by Danny Beresford.
Danny has exceptional pride for his grounds and a strong family connection to TGS. He is an Old Boy (2002-04) who played for the 1st XV in 2004 and was in the Track and Field team. His mum, Debbie Wells worked at the School as the Head of Athletics from 2002-13. He currently has two boys here, Jack in Year 2 and Max in Prep, and his brothers-in-law are both Old Boys too, Brendan Long (2002-04) and Ryan Long (2002). Danny knows first-hand how much it means to the boys to have a state-of-the-art playing field and the difference it makes to both training and game day.
“I remember the feeling of running down the tunnel for the 1st XV,” recalled Danny.
“It’s special to be part of, particularly Grammar Downlands Day, just the hype around that event is huge. I have never experienced anything like it since I left school. Even with the Athletics team, you would have Year 8 boys coming up to you who just knew you from the sport, it was fantastic.”
Danny started his Greenkeeping apprenticeship at Middle Ridge Golf Club and was there for nine years, before taking up his role with TGS in 2011. He finds great satisfaction from preparing the grounds and ensuring they are always well-manicured.
“Our School is iconic and really, it is the gateway to Toowoomba. We are in public view every day of the year, so the entire grounds team wants to make sure it’s always looking the best possible,” stated Danny.
“I love what I do, it’s nice to get compliments from people both within and outside the School. Knowing what the boys need after playing on it myself makes me work harder, and I always want it tip top for the boys.”
The weather is Danny’s biggest challenge, and every year brings different conditions, from drought to frost and floods. He must consider different types of turf, diseases in the grass and the most suitable products for different fields, with the cricket wickets requiring different maintenance to the football and rugby ovals.
“There is only a three-week turnaround between the rugby and cricket seasons and grass doesn’t grow quickly at that time of year, so we need to put down a turf blanket to generate more heat and help the grass grow,” said Danny.
“It is actually very scientific; you don’t just throw some seed down, jump on a mower and cut the grass. Thankfully, over time you get a fair idea of how to manage it all and what is needed to make the ovals immaculate in time for the next sport.”
Football and rugby seasons are Danny’s preferred fields, as it takes five days to prepare the cricket pitches which are very demanding and finicky, sometimes pulling covers on and off as much as three times a day.
The highlight for him so far was leading up to Grammar Downlands Day in 2018.
“It had been a really dry season and then very frost affected, so all the surrounds were dull, but Old Boys’ Memorial Oval was just a glorious green patch in the middle,” reminisced Danny proudly.
“It looked like carpet; I didn’t want anyone to play on it!” he joked.
Kikuyu and couch turf is used on all the TGS ovals, with Old Boys’ Memorial Oval over-sown with rye grass, giving it that rich “fake” green. He credits his great team of groundsmen, Micah Mathewson, Cameron Ott, David Taggart and Dylan Anderson-Levande as making his job easier and ensuring the School always looks pristine; not just the ovals but the glorious garden beds, trees and hedges that are planted, pruned, mulched, hedged and budded year-round.
“It’s like maintaining a mini city, we’re flat out all the time especially as we hold more and more events and carnivals.
“And no, I don’t take my work home with me,” laughed Danny, “My yard at home looks nothing like this!”
Latest Blog
Innovation at TGS: Preparing Boys for a Future of Possibilities
This commitment is reflected in how, for generations, our Old Boys have maintained strong connections with the School and their region, demonstrating a dedication to making a meaningful difference in the world. Having students who are able to think critically and evolve with technology will prepare them better for the workforce. Honouring the Past, Preparing for the Future The Grammar 150 celebrations this year offer a special opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of our…
75 Years of Rivalry and Respect
This year’s match holds special meaning, as it marks 75 years since the very first O’Callaghan Cup clash in 1950. Among those who remember the early days is Malcolm Powell, a proud TGS Old Boy (1948-52) who played fullback for the First XV in 1951. Malcolm, now in his nineties, still vividly recalls the thrill of those early games. “I watched the first Cup from the sidelines, I was in the Thirds that year,” Malcolm recalls. The fiercest of rivals but the greatest of friends “Downlands won that…
Our Sesquicentenary
The day was filled with reflection, celebration and a deep sense of connection to the generations who have shaped the School’s legacy. From the opening of a time capsule sealed in 1975, to a Sesquicentenary Assembly that honoured our roots and looked to the future, the occasion was a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of the TGS community. And of course there was cake! A Message Across Time: Opening the 1975 Time Capsule
Better Together - 2025 IBSC Conference
With its global network of over 300 member schools spanning more than 20 countries, the IBSC advocates for educational opportunities that focus on the holistic development of young men. This year, the IBSC Annual Conference was hosted by Belmont Hill School in Boston, United States, where teachers, school leaders and experts in boys' education gathered under the inspiring theme of "Better Together". Toowoomba Grammar School was proudly represented by Mr Luke Rawle, Ms Abby Varley and Mr Henry…
Reliving the Past, Shaping the Future
Mr Nicholas Hess has been a coach for both rugby and tennis and a boarding supervisor after he finished Year 12 His connection to the School runs deep, from the friendships he formed as a student to his dedication now as a Boarding House Assistant and long-standing member of the Old Boys’ Association (OBA). TGS has had a lasting impact on his life, and he has been only too willing to give back to the place that he loves so much. “There’s something special about being part of the Blue and Gold,”…
Never Give Up
Six years ago, after experiencing ongoing muscle weakness, he was given a life-changing diagnosis - Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2i (LGMD2i). Basically, Matt’s body doesn’t produce the chemical substance, Ribitol which is crucial for muscle function. He was told there is no treatment or cure, that he would be wheelchair bound in five to ten years and require oxygen, with the likelihood of an early death. But Matt would not accept that fate. Instead, he took up the fight – not just for…
A Magical Collaboration - “Midnight: The Cinderella Musical”
A co-production between Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College, this enchanting musical captivated audiences at the Empire Theatre for two nights in early June, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. A Story Brought to Life “Midnight” is a fresh take on the Cinderella story, featuring music and lyrics by John Foreman and Anthony Costanzo, with orchestrations by Anthony Barnhill and additional contributions from Kate Miller-Heidke. The book, written by Dean Murphy and Pip…
Pioneering Excellence: Launching TGS's Athletic Development Program
Our Athletic Development Program represents a paradigm shift in how schools nurture sporting talent—combining cutting-edge technology, evidence-based practices and a whole-person philosophy that prepares young men for success beyond the scoreboard.
Reflecting on the Past, Walking Forward Together
This week is an important time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to reflect on how we can each contribute to achieving reconciliation. The theme for NRW 2025, 'Bridging Now to Next,' calls on us to honour the past, acknowledge the present and actively build a better future. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a destination, it is a journey guided by reflection, respect and a shared commitment to walking together. As we look back on the…
