We are delighted to congratulate Old Tudorian James Russell Bell of Breadalbane, NSW, who has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his outstanding service to the arts, particularly through music and theatre.
James attended Tudor House from 1962 to 1963. In the years that followed, he became a passionate advocate for the performing arts, dedicating decades to enriching Australia’s cultural landscape through leadership, philanthropy, performance and community engagement. His contributions include service with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Bell Shakespeare, the Seaborn Broughton and Walford Foundation, the William Fletcher Foundation and Braeside Music and Drama Limited.
James has also maintained a longstanding connection with St Paul’s College at The University of Sydney, where he has served as a Fellow since 1996 and has been a driving force behind the much-loved production Victoriana! for more than 50 years.
Beyond the arts, James has contributed significantly to regional communities through his involvement with the New South Wales Polo Association and the Goulburn Polo and Picnic Race Club.
This well-deserved recognition reflects a lifetime of service, leadership and commitment to fostering the arts and strengthening community life. We extend our warmest congratulations to James on this remarkable achievement.