Jyl Bell

Jyl was introduced to GEAS by Ancita Beale who tutors at U3A. She joined the Society only a couple of years ago, and immediately immersed herself in its activities, assuming a key role as Treasurer. She recently also helped to organise the newly created “Share Your Art” activity.

Jyl was born in England, and was two years old when her family arrived in Australia in 1954 as a “£10 POM”. She lived in North Bondi (Sydney) until 2011 when she and her husband moved to Melbourne to be close to their two daughters and grandsons.

She has no formal qualifications in art and admits that she failed art at high school. She started painting in

2019 following the death of her husband. She is good at copying artworks, and prefers to work with acrylic paints. Her artworks are versatile and reveal strong Realism and Impressionism influences. They also reveal a deep love for art and an innate understanding of the importance of composition, subject and colour.

She is an organiser par excellence as her career record attests: 6 years as a travel agent; 25 years in the computer software industry working for Cerner Corporation (an American company based in Kansas City, Missouri). Her roles included: building laboratory expert systems; training users; project management; account management and managing the Australian Customer Support Office. She was the first director for this company appointed outside of the USA.

Jyl is now on the committee of the St. Kilda Red Hats group (https://redhatsociety.com/about-us) – an international organisation that promotes and encourages women to lead full and meaningful lives. She is also involved with Story Dogs, an organisation that encourages children to learn and enjoy reading (https://www.storydogs.org.au). In addition, she is an Assistant Tutor for a Hebrew Conversation class at U3A. Then on Wednesday nights she works online as a volunteer with disadvantaged children in Israel called “Click and Connect” teaching them English.

The things that she likes to do in her spare time are: movies, theatre, gardening, driving anywhere, and entertaining – she is truly an excellent hostess. Her pet hates are ironing and unpacking – whether it be groceries, a dishwasher, or after a trip!

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