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
Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement
The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…
A Musical Reflection
As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…
TGS Success in GPS Sport
In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…
An Exceptional Learning Experience
As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…
An Inclusive Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy. “I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda. “I have a passion for fostering environments where…
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…
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…
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…
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…
