Recognition for Roger
Another honour for Roger's ongoing contributions to sport.
Brighton Grammar School congratulates George Thomson (OB 1951), on being awarded Honorary REIV Life Membership for services to the real estate industry. George has given remarkable service to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and to Brighton Grammar School and has been honoured by both.
George is a Fellow of the Real Estate Institute of Australia and of the Australian Institute of Valuers. He served on the Executive Council of the REIV, including a period as Vice President.
When George first attended BGS in 1942, he commenced an era of remarkable service to Brighton Grammar School. In 1946, George was appointed Captain of the Junior School and in his senior years represented the School in First XI Cricket. George was a talented high jumper winning the Combined Schools Sports U14 high jump.
From 1955 to 1960 George represented Victoria in national competitions. George, coached by Franz Stampfl, was selected with a small group of high jumpers, including Chilla Porter and Colin Ridgway, to train for the 1956 Olympics. Chilla Porter eventually won the Olympic silver medal.
George’s professional life commenced during 1951 when he left school to join the family real estate business, GA Thomson & Co. In 1962 George married Sue and set up family life in Brighton where they continue to live today. Their two sons, David and Paul attended BGS as do their grandsons, Angus and Max.
George was elected president of the OBGS in 1976 and served on the School Council for the term of his presidency 1976 and 1977. Four years later in 1981, George was invited to join the Council on the passing of Noel Thomas. On Bob Sanderson’s retirement as Chairman of Council in May 1987, George was appointed Chairman.
During George’s tenure as Chairman of Council, he oversaw many significant developments including: the Rosstrevor Hall, Science Block and Library; the Physical Educational Centre; the Junior School ‘Tom Baddiley Building’; the refurbished fencing along Outer Crescent; and a substantial increase in the number of St Andrew’s Choir Scholarships.
George retired as Chairman of Council in May 1998. His long and distinguished service to BGS and the OBGS has been acknowledged by his appointment as Honorary Life member of the OBGS, Life Governor of the School, and Patron of the Sequamur Society.
We congratulate George on his REIV award which reflects his exulted standing within his profession. We are proud of his outstanding achievements and his ongoing association with Brighton Grammar School, an association which is approaching 80 years and epitomises the very essence of our School moto, Meliora Sequamur, ‘Let us keep on following better things’.
