To mark the monumental 150-year anniversary of Toowoomba Grammar School, a truly special piece of jewellery was designed and created. A bespoke brooch that not only commemorates the school’s rich history but also symbolises the strength of its legacy for generations to come. Crafted as a perpetual piece to be worn by the current headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh or his Wife Jo Kinniburgh as well as future headmasters or headmistresses and their spouses when representing TGS at significant school events, this brooch is far more than a decorative item. It’s a heartfelt gift from one of the school’s own, Lachlan Hogan, a Grammar Old Boy whose life has been shaped by the enduring values fostered at TGS.

Crafted in 18k yellow and white gold, the brooch is a one-of-a-kind heirloom that captures the essence of Toowoomba Grammar School’s milestone celebration. From its symbolic use of the school’s iconic blue and gold colour palette to the intricate details featuring natural Australian yellow diamonds, Australian blue sapphires, and a TGS crest inlaid with enamel, every element has been thoughtfully designed to tell a story. Intended to be passed down from one headmaster or mistress to the next, the brooch stands as a tribute to the school’s past, present, and future.

Join us in our latest journal as we speak to the members of the Hogans team that were involved in the process to explore the craftsmanship, symbolism, and heartfelt meaning behind a piece destined to become part of the school’s enduring legacy.

The Designer: Lachy

Q: Let’s begin by exploring your design inspiration for this piece. What was your primary source of inspiration for the design of this bespoke brooch?
A: The piece is a commemorative gift from our family to the Toowoomba Grammar School in honour of its 150-year celebration since its founding. As a Toowoomba Grammar Old Boy, I have a deep connection with the school and its history. The school has given me a lot more than just an education; it provided me with numerous lifetime bonds with mates and an incredible business network that has elevated our 80-year-old, third-generation local family business into what it is today.

Q: What was so significant about the creation of this piece, and what did it mean to you knowing the Toowoomba Grammar School have entrusted you with the creation of this brooch?
A: To have designed this piece with the Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh and his wife Jo Kinniburgh was a very special honour. Their input into the design was invaluable and adds to the historic story of the piece for decades to come. The perpetual piece is to remain in ownership of the school and to be presented from one headmaster or mistress to the next. It will be adorned by the headmaster or his wife on special occasions when representing the school, such as at Leadership and Scholars Assemblies, speech days, Year 12 graduation days and formals, awards ceremonies, art shows, musicals and GPS representations. The brooch is symbolic of not only the school’s 150-year milestone, but the achievements of the staff and students, past, present and future. It is a celebration of all things TGS 150.

Q: Can you walk us through the design progression behind this piece, did you experience any challenges during this process?
A: The inspiration for the piece was underpinned by a few key elements: The symbol, material and historical value.

Symbol: The Toowoomba Grammar School 150-year logo, with of course, the iconic blue and gold colour theme.

Material: The entire piece is constructed in 18k yellow and white gold with natural Australian diamonds and gemstones, the logo in 18k yellow gold with natural yellow diamonds and the arms of the brooch in 18k white gold. The piece features natural blue sapphires set in the chevron flanks with baguette white diamonds adding sparkle. The TGS crest is infilled with blue enamel to emulate the TGS 150-year logo.

Historical Value: Looking into the history of jewellery, a brooch is something that is no longer often worn. However, in the 19th and 20th centuries, a brooch was regarded as a very elegant piece which was worn on formal occasions. A brooch was typically worn as a decorative piece commonly in style of the Art Deco period. It is the perfect style of piece to symbolise the history and period of the founding of TGS in 1875.

Additionally, the piece is unisex and can therefore be worn by future headmasters and headmistresses alike, as well as their spouses.

Q: What are you most proud of with this design?
A: I am very proud of the team at Hogans, and the variety of skills required to complete such a piece, it has a lot of very fine details and technically difficult features to achieve in a quality finish. In person, this piece is outstanding. As an Old Boy, it’s something I am proud of to have contributed to the school and will be a piece that will be worn for generations into the future. My own sons and grandsons will one day see the piece that we created for the school many years prior, as their headmaster or headmistress will be proudly wearing it when they attend TGS.

The CAD Designer: Nolan

Q: How did you translate the initial vision of the brooch into a technical CAD design?
A: CAD designing the brooch took some time, with the initial phase involving tracing over the official school logo and carefully converting it into a 3D object, a process that took around eight hours to reach the approval stage. There was a bit of trial and error involved, particularly in refining the wall thickness to ensure it could withstand the enamelling process without compromising the overall structure of the piece. A major consideration during the design phase was the stone layout, which required careful planning to account for space, especially given the inclusion of approximately 87 individual gems. Unusually, we chose to retain the texture left from the casting process, normally polished off, which added a unique contrast and fitting character to the final piece.

Q: Were there any specific technical challenges in crafting this piece?
A: One of the main technical challenges was managing the wall thickness, this was especially important due to the enamelling process, which required precise tolerances to ensure durability without compromising detail. The lettering also posed a challenge; we had to ensure that it would remain crisp and legible in the final design. Another key focus was making the logo stand out, this was achieved by slightly raising the shield, which not only drew attention to the crest but also introduced varying levels of depth throughout the piece.

The Jeweller: Tim

Q: Were there any challenges that arose while assembling the brooch?
A: With 43 years of experience in the craft, there were no major challenges during the assembly process. As an experienced jeweller, everything came together smoothly without any hiccups. That said, creating a brooch isn’t something we typically do, so that aspect was a little outside the norm. However, the process was approached with care and precision, and the final result came together exactly as envisioned.

Q: Creating a piece meant to last for generations requires expert craftsmanship. What steps did you take to ensure its longevity?
A: The brooch was crafted using high-quality materials and assembled with the utmost care to ensure it stands the test of time. To provide additional security during wear, I also attached a safety chain to the piece, this extra detail offers peace of mind to the wearer, knowing the brooch will remain secure and intact through years of use and ceremonial occasions.

The Setter: Leo

Q: How long did the brooch as a whole take for you to set, and were there any parts that were more difficult than others?
A: The full setting process took approximately 10 to 12 hours from start to finish. The most challenging aspect was working with the baguette-cut diamonds. Their straight edges and precise dimensions leave very little room for error, so getting them to sit perfectly within their settings requires extra care and patience. It was a meticulous task, but essential in achieving the clean, elegant lines that give the brooch its refined finish.

Q: What setting techniques did you use to ensure this piece is durable enough to be passed down through generations?
A: A combination of pavé, bezel, and micro pavé setting techniques was used throughout the brooch to ensure both durability and longevity. One of the most intricate areas was the centre, where micro pavé setting was required in between the enamel sections. To achieve this, the stones had to be set lower than usual, allowing the enamel to sit smoothly on top.

The Finishing Touches: Pauly

Q: Enamelling requires a lot of skill and precision. What did you enjoy most about working with this element, and did you have any difficulties with the enamelling process?
A: The Enamelling process did require several hours of layering, curing, and careful preparation. It was a meticulous process, but one I found quite therapeutic. It forced me to slow down and really focus on each step, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A critical part of the process was surface preparation; without a perfectly clean base, the enamel simply won’t adhere properly. From there, I worked to mix the enamel to the right consistency and shade, starting with a darker base layer and gradually building up lighter tones to create a sense of depth. The final piece had five layers in total. The enamel was recessed into the piece, which helped enhance both its physical and visual depth. The result was a smooth, glossy finish, rich in colour and beautifully integrated into the overall design.

Q: What does this finishing touch add to the overall piece in your opinion?
A: The finishing touch of enamelling adds a beautiful depth of contrast to the piece. The combination of yellow gold with yellow and blue stones already creates a striking visual, but incorporating the enamelled background takes it even further. It introduces a rich, metallic royal blue with a subtle shimmer, adding visual layers and enhancing the overall impact of the design. The blue enamel combined with the yellow gold were the key elements to finishing this TGS Brooch meaningfully.

The Toowoomba Grammar School 150-year commemorative brooch is more than a piece of jewellery, it’s a timeless tribute to heritage, craftsmanship, and community. Designed and crafted by the talented Hogans team, this heirloom encapsulates the values, pride, and legacy of TGS in every detail. From concept to completion, each artisan involved brought their unique expertise and passion to the project, resulting in a piece that not only honours the past but is destined to be part of the school’s future. This brooch is a symbol of tradition carried forward and a remarkable testament to 150 years of excellence.