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Basil Sellers (born 1935) grew up in the Railway Colonies in India, where he was introduced to sports, such as badminton, tennis, and cricket. He migrated with his family to Australia in 1948 and studied at King's College, Adelaide.

Career

Addressing a sculpture unveiling at the SCG

Basil Sellers has been the chief executive and major shareholder of companies such as the Linter Group Ltd, the largest textile company in Australia, and Gestetner PLC, then a UK listed company (now part of Ricoh). He has also held a major investment in AFP, which had various investments, including Elders Ltd (now Fosters Brewery), broadcast media, and mineral resources.^{[citation needed]}

Honours

In February 2018, Sellers was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bond University in recognition of his charitable work, sports development, and corporate acumen.^[1]

In early December 2023, Sellers was awarded the SCG Life Membership status for philanthropy. Sellers is 1 of only 45 people with this status.^[2]

Sport

In sport, Sellers played senior basketball, representing South Australia when the team won the Australian Championship in 1958. During the 1980s, he owned the Newcastle Basketball team and served as a Director of the New South Wales Cricket Association (now Cricket New South Wales) from 1984 to 1987. He is a life member of Cricket NSW. His major charitable contributions include donations to the McGrath Foundation, where he finances the salaries of breast care nurses in Australia.^{[citation needed]}

He has donated to sporting initiatives and scholarships, such as to the Barassi Scholarship and the Sydney Swans He is a large contributor to the Club's football centre at the SCG.^[3]

Sellers is one of the founders of the Bradman Museum in Bowral, New South Wales, and a life member of the Bradman Foundation. He founded a respite centre in Moruya for elite athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport Canberra, and similar centres in Tweed Heads.^{[citation needed]}

Art

The Basil Sellers Art Prize was founded in 2004 by Basil in the Eurobodalla Shire.^[4]

February 2019 was the official opening of the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre (the Bas) in Moruya, its first purpose-built exhibition space.^[5]

Sport and Art

Sellers has been recognised as a keen art collector and patron. Collecting for over 35 years, his collection contains post-war Australian art and many of the European modernists, with a particular interest in the Fauves (1906/7). Sellers has also funded the bi-annual art prize of $15,000 in the Southeast of New South Wales.^[6]

In 2007, Sellers launched the Basil Sellers Art Prize which was initiated in 2008, in association with the Ian Potter Museum of Art, the University of Melbourne. The first prize of $100,000 is awarded to an Australian who produces a piece of art that incorporates an image of sport. Basil believes that art in the past has reflected society (wars, religion, ballet, horses, etc.) but in recent years has ignored the vast influence of sport. The award bridges the gulf which exists and connects art and sport and is bi-annual.^[7]

In 2009, Sellers' philanthropic support led to the establishment of the inaugural National Sports Museum Basil Sellers Creative Arts Fellowship. This fellowship allows contemporary artists to explore themes related to Australia's sporting heritage using the collections of the National Sports Museum at the MCG. This bi-annual fellowship aims to expand educational and public programs and foster discussions on the intersection of sport and art.^{[citation needed]}

He has recently concluded the Basil Sellers Sports Sculpture Project of ten sculptures erected at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Other initiatives and Donations

Sellers' philanthropy extends to his birthplace, India. He funded the purchase of a property in Chennai for the education of young girls from the slums. With the additional features from the new property ANEW was able to graduate 1000 students per year and find them all full-time employment.^{[citation needed]}

Sellers is involved in the promotion and investment of the winery. He is a major sponsor of the Len Evans Tutorial which aims to improve the quality of Australian wines by training and giving access to the world's best wines. The Tutorial is aimed at wine judges winemakers and sommeliers.^{[citation needed]}

Patronage

He is a First XI patron of the Steve Waugh Foundation and a supporter of the Pick Me UP wheelchair service for the Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation. He is a patron of the LBW Trust, a trust focused on educating disadvantaged youth in developing cricket-playing countries. He is also a Patron of the Chappell Foundation which seeks to help young homeless people in Australia.^[8]

Personal

Sellers is married to Clare and has three children from his first marriage, Paul, Darrell, and Libby, and has four grandchildren.^{[citation needed]}

Sellers' only sibling Rex Sellers was a Test cricketer for Australia.^{[citation needed]}

Books

"From India with Love" by Dr Gloria Jean Moore, 2006 – ISBN 0-9579021-2-3

References

^ "International philanthropist awarded Honorary Doctorate by Bond University". Bond University. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
^ "12 New SCG Life Members Inducted". www.sydneycricketground.com.au. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
^ Sygall, David (31 August 2013). "Basil giving back to sport, with interest". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ Duck, Siobhan (8 September 2007). "Why is this man spending $2.5m of his own money". ProQuest 361074788. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ Centre, Basil Sellers Exhibition (7 December 2023). "Basil Sellers AM". thebas.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
^ Centre, Basil Sellers Exhibition (28 September 2024). "Basil Sellers Art Prize". thebas.com.au. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
^ Centre, Basil Sellers Exhibition (14 July 2024). "Basil Sellers Art Prize". thebas.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
^ "About Us • The Chappell Foundation". thechappellfoundation.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

External links

[1] "International philanthropist awarded Honorary Doctorate by Bond University". Bond University. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

[2] "12 New SCG Life Members Inducted". www.sydneycricketground.com.au. Retrieved 15 May 2024.

[3] Sygall, David (31 August 2013). "Basil giving back to sport, with interest". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[4] Duck, Siobhan (8 September 2007). "Why is this man spending $2.5m of his own money". ProQuest 361074788. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[5] Centre, Basil Sellers Exhibition (7 December 2023). "Basil Sellers AM". thebas.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[6] Centre, Basil Sellers Exhibition (28 September 2024). "Basil Sellers Art Prize". thebas.com.au. Retrieved 16 October 2024.

[7] Centre, Basil Sellers Exhibition (14 July 2024). "Basil Sellers Art Prize". thebas.com.au. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

[8] "About Us • The Chappell Foundation". thechappellfoundation.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Multiple issues|
 {{BLP sources|date=March 2018}}
 {{peacock|date=March 2018}}
+{{Cleanup|date=September 2024|reason=This article has promotional content}}
+}}
 {{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
-'''Basil Sellers AM''', (born 1935), grew up in the Railway Colonies in [[India]], where he was introduced to badminton, tennis and cricket. He migrated with his family to Australia in 1948, and was educated at Kings College, Adelaide.
+'''Basil Sellers''' (born 1935) grew up  in the Railway Colonies in [[India]], where he was introduced to sports, such as [[badminton]], [[tennis]], and [[cricket]]. He migrated with his family to [[Australia]] in 1948 and studied at [[King's College, Adelaide]].
 ==Career==
-[[File:Basil-Sellers-Addressing-Cr.jpg|thumb|addressing a sculpture unveiling at the SCG]]
+[[File:Basil-Sellers-Addressing-Cr.jpg|thumb|Addressing a sculpture unveiling at the SCG]]
-Basil Sellers has been chief executive and major shareholder of companies such as the Linter Group Ltd, the largest textile company in Australia; and [[Gestetner]] PLC, then a UK listed company (now part of Ricoh). Basil Sellers has also held a major investment in AFP, which had various investments, including Elders Ltd (now Fosters Brewery), broadcast media and mineral resources.
+Basil Sellers has been the chief executive and major shareholder of companies such as the Linter Group Ltd, the largest textile company in Australia, and [[Gestetner]] PLC, then a UK listed company (now part of Ricoh). He has also held a major investment in AFP, which had various investments, including Elders Ltd (now Fosters Brewery), broadcast media, and mineral resources.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
 ==Honours==
-In February 2018, Basil was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bond University in recognition of his significant charitable work, sports development and corporate acumen.
+In February 2018, Sellers was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bond University in recognition of his charitable work, sports development, and corporate acumen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International philanthropist awarded Honorary Doctorate by Bond University |url=https://bond.edu.au/news/international-philanthropist-awarded-honorary-doctorate-by-bond-university |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Bond University |language=en}}</ref>
-==Sport==
+In early December 2023, Sellers was awarded the SCG Life Membership status for philanthropy. Sellers is 1 of only 45 people with this status.<ref>{{Cite web |title=12 New SCG Life Members Inducted |url=https://www.sydneycricketground.com.au/articles/untitled_content_item_8c66134 |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.sydneycricketground.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
-In sport, Basil played Senior Basketball, representing [[South Australia]] when the team won the Australian Championship in 1958. During the 1980s he was the owner of the Newcastle Basketball team and from 1984–87, he was a Director of the New South Wales Cricket Association (now [[Cricket]] New South Wales). He is a Life Member of Cricket NSW.
+==Sport==
-His major charities include The [[McGrath Foundation]], where he is a major donor, financing the salaries of breast care nurses in Australia, he is a First XI patron of the [[Steve Waugh Foundation]] and a generous supporter of the Pick Me UP wheelchair service for the [[Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation]]. He is a Patron of The LBW Trust which raises funds for the education of over 800 disadvantaged youth in developing, cricket-playing countries. The LBW Trust enjoys the support of redoubtable figures across politics, business, sports and public life.
+In sport, Sellers played senior basketball, representing [[South Australia]] when the team won the Australian Championship in 1958. During the 1980s, he owned the Newcastle Basketball team and served as a Director of the New South Wales Cricket Association (now [[Cricket]] New South Wales) from 1984 to 1987. He is a life member of Cricket NSW. His major charitable contributions include donations to the [[McGrath Foundation]], where he finances the salaries of breast care nurses in Australia.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
-His donations to sporting initiatives and scholarships include the Barassi Scholarship, supporting new talent for the [[Sydney Swans]] and he is a major contributor to the Club's football centre at the SCG.
+He has donated to sporting initiatives and scholarships, such as to the Barassi Scholarship and the [[Sydney Swans]] He is a large contributor to the Club's football centre at the SCG.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sygall |first=David |date=2013-08-31 |title=Basil giving back to sport, with interest |language=en |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/basil-giving-back-to-sport-with-interest-20130831-2sxef.html |access-date=2023-10-18}}</ref>
-He also assists initiatives that identify and support emerging talent in country NSW cricket.  Some of his past and current scholars include Phillip Hughes, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc. Josh Hazlewood, Patrick Cummins, Nic Maddinson, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Erin Osborne.  He is a Life Member of Cricket NSW.
+Sellers is one of the founders of the [[Donald Bradman|Bradman]] Museum in [[Bowral]], [[New South Wales]], and a life member of the Bradman Foundation. He founded a respite centre in [[Moruya]] for elite athletes from the [[Australian Institute of Sport]] [[Canberra]], and similar centres in Tweed Heads.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
-The scholarship helps ease the financial burden of up-and-coming cricketers, whether it be assisting with the cost of petrol travelling to and from training, equipment or helping with study.
-With his brother [[Rex Sellers (cricketer)|Rex Sellers]], he funded the reconstruction of a Pavilion for sport for Pembroke School at Kensington Oval in South Australia.
-Basil is one of the founders of the [[Donald Bradman|Bradman]] Museum in [[Bowral]], [[New South Wales]] and a life member of the Bradman Foundation. He funded a respite centre in [[Moruya]] for elite athletes from the [[Australian Institute of Sport]], [[Canberra]], and similar centres in Tweed Heads. (see link below)
 ==Art==
-The Basil Sellers Art Prize was founded in 2004 by Basil in the Eurobodalla Shire. In 2018 the biennial prize was opened to include artists from NSW and ACT with the major prize increasing to $20,000.
+The Basil Sellers Art Prize was founded in 2004 by Basil in the Eurobodalla Shire.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Duck |first=Siobhan |date=8 September 2007 |title=Why is this man spending $2.5m of his own money |language=en |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/361074788 |access-date=2023-10-18|id={{ProQuest|361074788}} }}</ref>
-In February 2019, was the official opening of the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre (the Bas) in Moruya, its first purpose-built exhibition space.
+February 2019 was the official opening of the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre (the Bas) in Moruya, its first purpose-built exhibition space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=Basil Sellers Exhibition |date=2023-12-07 |title=Basil Sellers AM |url=https://thebas.com.au/about/basil-sellers-am |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=thebas.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
-Basil provided a significant donation for the exhibition space and it was named after him for his contribution to the Arts in Eurobodalla.
 ==Sport and Art==
-Basil has been recognised as a keen art collector and patron. Collecting for over 35 years, his collection contains Post War Australian art and many of the European modernists, with a particular interest in the Fauves (1906/7). Basil has also funded the bi-annual art prize of $15,000 in the South East of New South Wales.
+Sellers has been recognised as a keen art collector and patron. Collecting for over 35 years, his collection contains post-war Australian art and many of the European modernists, with a particular interest in the Fauves (1906/7). Sellers has also funded the bi-annual art prize of $15,000 in the Southeast of New South Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=Basil Sellers Exhibition |date=2024-09-28 |title=Basil Sellers Art Prize |url=https://thebas.com.au/basil-sellers-art-prize |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=thebas.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
-In 2007 Basil Sellers launched the [[Basil Sellers Art Prize]] which was initiated in 2008, in association with [http://www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au the Ian Potter Museum of Art], [http://www.unimelb.edu.au the University of Melbourne]. The first prize of $100,000 is awarded to an Australian who produces a piece of art which incorporates an image of sport. Basil believes that art in the past has reflected society (wars, religion, ballet, horses, etc.) but in recent years has ignored the vast influence of sport. The award bridges the gulf which exists and connects art and sport and is bi-annual.
+In 2007, Sellers launched the [[Basil Sellers Art Prize]] which was initiated in 2008, in association with [http://www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au the Ian Potter Museum of Art], [http://www.unimelb.edu.au the University of Melbourne]. The first prize of $100,000 is awarded to an Australian who produces a piece of art that incorporates an image of sport. Basil believes that art in the past has reflected society (wars, religion, ballet, horses, etc.) but in recent years has ignored the vast influence of sport. The award bridges the gulf which exists and connects art and sport and is bi-annual.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=Basil Sellers Exhibition |date=2024-07-14 |title=Basil Sellers Art Prize |url=https://thebas.com.au/basil-sellers-art-prize |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=thebas.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
-In 2009, Basil's philanthropic support also gave rise to the inaugural National Sports Museum Basil Sellers Creative Arts Fellowship. This important initiative provides contemporary art practitioners with a unique opportunity to engage with the material and culture of our national sporting heritage through the collections managed by the National Sports Museum at the MCG.  This bi-annual fellowship will increase the range and type of educational and public programs, and stimulate debate about sport and art.
+In 2009, Sellers' philanthropic support led to the establishment of the inaugural National Sports Museum Basil Sellers Creative Arts Fellowship. This fellowship allows contemporary artists to explore themes related to Australia's sporting heritage using the collections of the National Sports Museum at the MCG. This bi-annual fellowship aims to expand educational and public programs and foster discussions on the intersection of sport and art.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
-He has recently concluded the Basil Sellers Sports Sculpture Project of ten sculptures erected at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]. The sculptures are of four Cricket, two Rugby League, two Rugby Union and two Australian Football icons. He is currently the benefactor of a similar project for the Adelaide which consists of four Cricket and four Australian football icons of South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
+He has recently concluded the Basil Sellers Sports Sculpture Project of ten sculptures erected at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]].
 ==Other initiatives and Donations==
-Basil's philanthropy extends to his birthplace, India. He funded the purchase of a property in Chennai for the education of young girls from the slums. With the additional features from the new property [http://www.anewindia.org ANEW] was able to graduate 1000 students per year and find them all full-time employment.
+Sellers' philanthropy extends to his birthplace, India. He funded the purchase of a property in Chennai for the education of young girls from the slums. With the additional features from the new property [http://www.anewindia.org ANEW] was able to graduate 1000 students per year and find them all full-time employment.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
-Basil is involved in the promotion and investment of winery. He is a major sponsor of the [[Len Evans Tutorial]] that aims to improve the quality of Australian wines by training and giving access to the world's best wines. The Tutorial is aimed at wine judges winemakers and sommeliers.
+Sellers is involved in the promotion and investment of the winery. He is a major sponsor of the [[Len Evans Tutorial]] which aims to improve the quality of Australian wines by training and giving access to the world's best wines. The Tutorial is aimed at wine judges winemakers and sommeliers.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
 ==Patronage==
-Basil is a Patron of the LBW Trust which provides education to disadvantaged students in low income cricket playing nations, and is also a Patron of the Chappell Foundation which seeks to help young homeless people in Australia.
+He is a First XI patron of the Steve Waugh Foundation and a supporter of the Pick Me UP wheelchair service for the Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation. He is a patron of the LBW Trust, a trust focused on educating disadvantaged youth in developing cricket-playing countries. He is also a Patron of the Chappell Foundation which seeks to help young homeless people in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us • The Chappell Foundation |url=https://thechappellfoundation.com/about-us |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=thechappellfoundation.com |language=en}}</ref>
 ==Personal==
-Basil is married to Clare and has three children from his first marriage, Paul, Darrell and Libby, and has four grandchildren.
+Sellers is married to Clare and has three children from his first marriage, Paul, Darrell, and Libby, and has four grandchildren.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
+Sellers' only sibling [[Rex Sellers (cricketer)|Rex Sellers]] was a Test cricketer for Australia.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
-Basil's only sibling [[Rex Sellers (cricketer)|Rex Sellers]], who was a Test cricketer for Australia lives in Adelaide with his wife Ann and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
 ==Books==
 * ''"From India with Love"'' by Dr Gloria Jean Moore, 2006 – {{ISBN|0-9579021-2-3}}
-==External links==
-* [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1855422.htm ABC: The World Today]
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070505195341/http://www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/events_Public_detail.aspx?view=66 Potter Art Museum, Melbourne University]
-* [http://lenevanstutorial.com.au/ The Len Evans Tutorial]
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-{{No footnotes|date=February 2008}}
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070901004841/http://sydneyswans.com.au/Swans/TheClub/History/tabid/7210/Default.aspx History of the Sydney Swans]
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070430150353/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/18/stories/2007041816410200.htm Basil Sellers Centre – Chennai, India]
@@ Line 81: / Line 72: @@
 * [http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/ McGrath Foundation]
 * [http://www.cricketnsw.com.au/ Cricket NSW]
+==External links==
+* [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1855422.htm ABC: The World Today]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070505195341/http://www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/events_Public_detail.aspx?view=66 Potter Art Museum, Melbourne University]
+* [http://lenevanstutorial.com.au/ The Len Evans Tutorial]
+* [https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1474882/swans-trio-named-life-members-of-the-scg Basil named a Life Member of the SCG (Dec 2023)]
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Sellers, Basil}}
@@ Line 92: / Line 89: @@
 [[Category:1935 births]]
 [[Category:People educated at Pembroke School, Adelaide]]
+[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]