Where are they now – Bill Bell (SPC 1951-57)

The College recently reconnected with Bill Bell (SPC 1951-57, PY1958), who was inducted as a College Legend in 2002 for his services to the hospitality industry as publican of South Melbourne’s Bell’s Hotel. Bill is a great supporter of SPC and regularly attendee of OCA events.-

 

Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?

I was a boarder along with my brother Kevin (SPC 1951-59), there was 17 months between us, but we ended up in grade four at the same time, and our sister Anita went to Mary’s Mount (Loreto College). Our family lived in south Melbourne. After St Pat’s, I went back to the family hotel in south Melbourne and retired from there in 2009. My brother, Kevin went on to do Medicine and became a Professor in Radiology at Melbourne University and the Director of Radiology at Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne. He has retired now too.

 

What are your fondest memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?

The football and the people I met through school, many of whom I’m still close with today.

 

Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?

For me, it was probably Br O’Keane or Br Williams. For Kevin, it would have been Br Lynch and Br Bill O’Malley, who were the main influences. These Brothers were the epitomy of real gentlemen and Christian values.

 

How has your education shaped your professional life?

It gave me the ability to communicate with a wide range of people. Being the hotel industry, it is a people industry and the need to be able to talk to people.

For Kevin, it would have helped him to achieve the high standards that he did in the medical profession.

 

How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?

It made me really appreciate the value of family, Kevin and I are very close and we have remained very close, so it really is the importance of those family ties.

 

If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?

Make the most of your time at St Pat’s and use it for every opportunity offered to you there!