ANZAB - Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers

Photo of bellringers in action

The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers was formed in 1962 to promote the art of change ringing in our two countries. There are currently around 500 members who ring at more than 65 bell towers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Non-ringers might like this introduction to bellringing and to follow the instagram page 'AUS/NZ Bellringing'.

Ringers and potential ringers can contact our association office bearers or local towers and ringers.

Updated: 17 May, 2022

Vale Gillian McKerracher

Gillian McKerracher

Gillian was born in Portobello, Scotland in 1942 and moved to Australia with her family as a four year old. She died in 2022, aged 79.

Gillian and Peter were married at Christ Church, Claremont. Their family life over 57 years of marriage was one of great happiness. At Gillian’s funeral their children described her as loving, kind, devoted, thoughtful and generous. I would add caring, selfless, supportive and one of nature’s beautiful people. In the many years that I knew her I cannot recall her ever saying an unkind word about anyone.

Gillian and Peter have worshipped at Christ Church for the past 37 years. In 2002 they decided to try their hand at bellringing. Over the past 20 years they have made a huge contribution to the running of the tower. They were made Life Members of the Christ Church Bellringing Association in 2018. They have been faithful parishioners and loyal Sunday service and wedding ringers. Gillian rang a number of quarter peals. Her favourite methods were Grandsire Doubles, Plain Bob Doubles and Treble Bob hunt and these were rung at the conclusion of her funeral service.

We will all miss Gillian so much but know that her life was well-lived. May she rest in peace.

Mary Townsend
May 2022

ANZAB 2022 - Sydney, 9-14 June 2022

ANZAB 2022 logo

See the Festival web page for heaps of information including the Provisional Program.

Registration has closed, but late registration may be possible subject to the Festival Committee's discretion.

The Festival and AGM will be held on the weekend of 9-14 June 2022.

Link to Draft AGM agenda as at 19 April 2022.

Launch of Sonneur

A NZ developed online ringing platform, Sonneur, was launched recently. A key difference to ringingroom is Sonneur's realistic movement of the ropes and timing of the sound.

screengrab of sonneur

Sonneur features are:

Web-based (no software to install)
Realistic tower bell movements
Automated ringer rings empty bells
Automated ringer can call compositions from CompLib
Automated conducter with a female or male voice

The free version

is limited to 3 ringers at any one time (no limit for subscribers)
has a touch limit of 1,500 changes with an automated conductor (no limit for subscribers)

Use the free version or subscribe at sonneur.net.

Watch the ANZAB facebook page for notices or get in touch if you are interested in an introductory session.

7 May 2022

Ringing featured on Channel Seven

ringers in action
Still from the program showing Inga Griffiths-Hunt, Deryn Griffiths, Mariane Merati

In April St Paul's ringers were featured on Channel Seven's House of Wellness. See Season 6 Episode 7 or go straight to the episode on youtube here. The segment on ringing is from the 26 minute mark for 4 minutes.

Caters Practice at CCSL

Caters practice at CCSL

On Friday 29 April 2022 there was an 'Introduction to Caters' practice at Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney. We had 16 people turn up. Some people had not rung on ten at all whilst others could consolidate what they had tried once before.

Most of the night was spent ringing call changes and plain hunt on 9 however this is not to be discredited as everyone had a good chance to perfect their rhythm ringing on 10 bells. There was one bob course of Plain Bob caters and Grandsire caters which both had first-timers in. Overall the night was a success and hopefully another similar practice can occur in the future!

James Perrins

Nominations sought

ANZAB 2022 logo

An award is being offered to do with Belfry Maintenance. See the announcement for details. Nominations are due by 28 May. It would be great to have one or more ANZAB members nominated.

Adelaide Bellringers Anniversary Dinner, 3 July 2022

Click the image above to download a copy of the flyer

Safeguarding Guidelines

Follow this link to ANZAB's Safeguarding Guidelines.

ANZAB CPR Training and First Aid Assistance

ANZAB offers funding to all towers for ringers to train in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid, to a maximum of two ANZAB members per tower. Each tower is also being offered a free poster providing details of CPR.

as shown on BellBoard

see other performance links on the
Peals & Quarters page

Updated: 19 May, 2022

St Paul's, Burwood. Practice cancelled 26 May.

Visitors are advised to check ahead at all towers due to COVID-19 health restrictions and related changes to ringing times.

Updated: 14 May, 2022

2022

22 May
Turramurra. NSW-ACT Branch Meeting & Practice.
Contact:

29 May
Perth. WAANZAB Branch Practice & AGM.
The Bell Tower
Contact:

10-13 June
Sydney. ANZAB 2022 Festival and AGM.

16 June
NSW-ACT 12 bell Practice.
Venue: Sydney, St Mary's
Contact:

3 July
Adelaide Bellringers. Anniversary Dinner
See Event Flyer
RSVP: 31 May
Contact:

Facebook -

email - looktoanzab

2022

2 June - 60th anniversary of the formation of ANZAB

2 June - The first day of the four-day Platinum Jubilee of HM Elizabeth II

Possible dedication for the combined anniversaries: Rung for the 60th Anniversary of ANZAB and in Honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Forthcoming dates are listed on the Australian Government House website and the New Zealand Governor-General's website.

This is a very selective list in an ANZAB context. See also the CCCBR's list for events and anniversaries, and ringing.org's peal and quarter peal lengths for appropriate compositions.

about an event or anniversary to list here.

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