Welcome to the first edition of Viking Spirit for 2020.

Firstly we congratulate those Old Boys who were recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours. They are Dr Neil Robert Wetzig AO (1972), Mr Barry Kelly AM (1962), Professor Anthony Cassimatis AM (1982), Colonel Craig Lauder CSM (1989) and Rear Admiral Jaimie Hatcher AM RAN DSC (1985). More detail about each of these Old Boys can be found in the Achievements section of this newsletter.

Congratulations also to the new Student Executive for 2020 on their appointments. They are: School Captain Jacob Marchant, son of Darren Marchant (1989); Vice-Captain Finn MacPherson; Vice-Captain Griff Pattison, son of Simon Pattison (1984); Vice-Captain & Head Boarder Floyd McKay, son of Ian McKay (1985).

Our first event on the calendar is the second annual Old Boys’ Day at the Volleyball which will take place on Saturday 7 March at Churchie. This season the First VI will be taking on Gregory Terrace in what promises to be a close and exciting match. For any Old Boys attending, please identify yourself at the Volleyball Supporters Group BBQ for your free hamburger courtesy of the OBA Committee.

On Friday 29 May our annual Vintage Vikings | Morning Tea and Lunch will be held in Morris Hall. All Old Boys aged 70 or older are invited to join us for this special annual event. Please note that spouses/partners are also welcome. Our signature event, the OBA Annual Dinner will be held on Friday 14 August, so please lock in this date now so you don’t miss it. Special invitations to the OBA Annual Dinner will be extended to our cohorts celebrating their 5 year (2015), 15 year (2005), 25 year (1995), 35 year (1985) and 45 year (1975) reunions. Our cohorts celebrating 55 years (1965) and 65 years (1955) will also receive special invitations to the Vintage Vikings | Lunch and Morning Tea.  This will be followed the next day by our equally popular Old Boys’ Day which is on the afternoon the school plays Brisbane Grammar School in both basketball and rugby. For more details about these events and our cohort reunions for 2020, please refer to the Reunions and Events calendar later in this newsletter.

Our third annual Old Boys’ Tennis Tournament, held on Monday 16 December 2019, proved beyond doubt that this event is gaining momentum and growing in popularity. The Old Boy & Current Student pairing of Jack Walton (2015) and Max Kruger (2020 Captain of Tennis) held off a fast finishing Max Powell (2018) and Alex Russell (2018) to take the title and will now see their names etched onto the John Millman Shield. Thank you to Old Boys John Millman (2006) and Colin Sinclair (2012) for attending and joining with brothers Jack Walton (2015) and Adam Walton (2016) for an exhibition match that was enjoyed by a very appreciative audience.