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.

Before her appointment, Judith and Graham knew the School well because of Patrick’s prowess on the cricket field.

“I was never a cricketer,” Graham said. “Patrick just seemed to have natural skills, and he and Dean Reeves were chosen for the First XI in Year 9. I was standing under a tree one day and I think it was Ronnie (Cochrane) who said, ‘You’re going to be around watching the cricket for a long time, why don’t you start a cricket support group?’ And here I was thinking I was just enjoying the cricket.”

“Ian Reeves and I started modestly, but when Greg Chappell turned up to a meeting, because his son Stephen played, that gave us a bit of cachet,” Graham said. “We introduced things they still do. We thought the cricket boys needed a bit of civilising, so instead of them packing up their kit bags and going home we started little functions where the captains of both teams made a speech and had tea and bikkies.”

“But the best thing we did was name it The Willow Club. It’s the best name of all the support groups,” Graham laughs.

Like many people with a long-standing relationship to the School, Judith says the friendships she’s made have been important. “I play bridge with a group of women, and we became friends when our boys were at BGS. Our sons are now 45, so it’s almost 30 years. That’s great. And when we go to the sports events, such as the cricket breakfast, there are so many people we know, and that’s lovely.”

Graham also sees the practical need for volunteers. “You do feel a part of the community of the School, but it’s a way of keeping fees down. Parents do a great deal of work that raises a lot of money. This would have to come from fees otherwise. The excellence of these schools often depends on the commitment of the parents. They make an enormous contribution.”

Judith and Graham Bell’s own contribution was recognised at last year’s Betty Howell Awards, which acknowledge the actions and achievements of those who have gone above and beyond expectations for the School community.

Inevitably, the conversation turns back to art. “The Art Show is a very important part of that,” Graham adds. “It involves many parents and much work, and as a result BGS is developing a significant collection.”