Century-old legacy alive and flipping around the grounds
A FURRY feline did his best to steal the O’Callaghan Cup spotlight at the weekend.
Ting Tong the Tiger, Toowoomba Grammar’s mascot, put all his acrobatic skills on display in a halftime showdown with the Downlands’
Griffin.
First mentioned in a 1910 school war cry, Ting Tong has become the stuff of legend at Grammar.
The concept of a physical school mascot was discussed in 1997, and Ting Tong has undergone a radical transformation since then.
The tiger has always been a vibrant sort of fellow, and for the student currently filling out the suit – Baxter McDonald – the role is an exciting one.
“I was down on the school oval practising a new flip I had learnt when the student who used to be Ting Tong saw me,” McDonald said.
“We ended up having a little bit of a competition. We showed each other a few tricks, and it went from there.
“I’ve been Ting Tong for a few years now.”
McDonald, who has competed at two state levels and multiple regional gymnastics competitions, first suited up at a football match and admitted to some initial nerves.
“It was a bit terrifying, to be honest,” he said.
“It felt like I had weights on all my limbs, you can’t see a lot and it does restrict your movement a little bit.
“I did get used to it, though and I love it now.
“There’s still some nerves whenever I perform but there’s a real adrenaline rush as well.
“In the moment when you’re out there, it’s an amazing feeling, and I love being able to do my part.”