Scotch College

Graeme Bell Celebrates

In September of this year, Graeme Bell, MBE, AO, celebrated his 90th birthday to much public acclamation and happiness. To help the extended party along, Graeme reformed his band and gave two spectacular shows at the Assembly Rooms in Melbourne – to packed houses. With jazz and improvisation to set the hearts leaping, Graeme entertained the fans with two hours of conversation, solo piano and the most scintillating jazz imaginable. It was an occasion to be cherished and relished, and it was with a sense of great pride that Director of Development Alan Watkinson was able to announce to the audience during the Saturday performance the naming of the Graeme Bell Star Dressing Room in the James Forbes Academy. This signal honour for our illustrious Old Boy has been made possible through the generosity of another Old Boy, J.B Reid (’47) through the work of the J.T Reid Charitable Trusts. Graeme was able to spend a morning at Scotch during his celebration tour, and enjoyed looking round the Music School and getting a glimpse of the second stage of the James Forbes Academy. He hopes to be back to visit the completed project in 2005.

Dr Alan Watkinson
Director of Development