PHILANTHROPY
Above and beyond for the BGS community
Graham and Judith Bell’s light-filled apartment reflects a lifetime of passionate art collection and patronage – paintings hang on every inch of wall space, and ceramics, carvings and beautiful rugs colour every surface. One work no longer on their walls is a four-panel etching by Melbourne artist Graham Fransella, which now hangs in Brisbane Grammar School’s Centenary Hall. “Our son (Patrick, BGS School Captain 1991), went looking for it one day and was surprised to hear Mr Micallef now gets a chance to admire it every time he addresses the school assembly,” Graham laughs. “He keeps telling me not to have another ‘Fransella moment’ – he’d like to choose a few paintings for himself, and he will, of course. But by giving art to schools, the boys have a chance to appreciate it.” The couple’s generosity springs from a sincere belief in the power of art, a theme Judith touched on when she opened the 50th BGS Art Show Aurum last year. “This is a civilised place, an egalitarian meritocracy, and art benefits all… It is a shared environment which gives
pride, comfort, a sense of belonging. It lifts the spirits. It makes one thoughtful,” she said. Meritocracy is a value close to her heart. Judith tested the School’s sense of meritocracy when she became one of the first two women appointed to the BGS Board of Trustees in 1995. Initially, Judith said, her welcome was less than warm. “It was new territory for an old institution with its strong masculine ethos. But gradually, over the years, these people became my good friends. And the place didn’t fall down.” Far from it. Her very productive 16 years on the Board saw the opening of the Northgate Playing Fields, the Indoor Sports Centre, the Middle School and The Lilley Centre – all achievements Judith credits to the leadership of recently retired Chair, Howard Stack. “One of Howard’s great achievements was that he created a sense of collegiality. I came in for a lot of ribbing, but it was warm. Not only did they get a woman, but they got a woman of progressive views. Diversity of opinion around the board table can only be a good thing,” Judith said.
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