WELCOME
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.
If you are not yet a ringer, we suggest you start with this short introduction to bellringing and our Association.
You can contact our association office bearers or local towers and ringers.
NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Updated: 22 September, 2020
The future of ANZAB 12 bell weekends 
As COVID-19 hit the world, the March 2020 12 bell weekend was called off at the last minute as ringing was suspended. Back then we had no idea how long this would go for, let alone a second wave hitting both parts of Australia and New Zealand which has meant that the 12 bell weekend that was planned for Wellington in October/November 2020 has also had be postponed.
We do plan to continue with the 12 bell weekends in 2021, subject to it being safe to do so. At the time of writing both the Brisbane and Wellington weekends have been postponed by 12 months. The exact date for Brisbane is still being worked out but we hope most of the Australian borders will be open by then, and possibly the "bubble" with New Zealand will also be in place. The Wellington weekend is now set for 29 October - 1 November, 2021.
If you are interested in joinng us, please email or call me on +61 (0) 414 331 769.
Peter Harrison
20 September 2020
Blessing of Bells for St Patrick's, Parramatta
The bells were blessed on Tuesday, 8 September 2020. They included the Ron Shepherd tribute bell which was christened St Benedict.
Ron Shepherd standing by the Ron Shepherd tribute bell.
Photo courtesy Richard Webster.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions attendance in person was strictly by invitation only. However, the event was livestreamed, and links to the recordings are available here.
Darwin Tower Project On Hold
As posted in Ringing Towers and discussed at the ANZAB 2020 AGM, discussions have been underway regarding building a tower and installing bells at Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin. Unfortunately the Cathedral Parish Council has decided not to go ahead with this project. In letting us know they thanked Ron Shepherd for the time, money and effort put into scoping the possibilities, and thanked ANZAB for their generosity in considering contributing to the project.
When the COVID-19 pandemic, with the difficulties and uncertainties it has brought, is under control, it could be worth considering some other location within Darwin, either attached to another church or a civic tower.
Returning to Ringing
Notice at Hoskins Memorial Church
The following towers have provided information about their experience going into, and coming out of, COVID-19 restrictions, which you will find detailed in their tower page.
St Paul's, Burwood is ringing for services with up to four ringers. Further detail is available here.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney is ringing for services with ringers registered with the Cathedral. Further detail is available here.
St Peter's, Hamilton is ringing without restriction. Further detail is available here.
Hoskins Memorial Church, Lithgow has a detailed Safety Plan. Interested ringers can find more information, including the plan here.
Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney are ringing on five for one service each Sunday. Further detail is available here.
COVID-19 - Ringing Still Suspended at 33 Towers
At the peak, 64 ANZAB towers suspended ringing, as a precaution against COVID-19.
Currently the 33 towers listed below continue to have ringing suspended as a precaution against COVID-19.
For the moment, visitors are encouraged to "check ahead" at any towers where ringing is occuring. It is very likely that they have restrictions on numbers and visitors may not be welcome. Furthermore, they may be ringing for services but not practicing, or vice-versa.
- Adelaide. Town Hall
- Albury. St Matthew's
- Auckland. St Matthew-in-the-City
- Ballarat. St Peter's
- Ballarat. Town Hall
- Bathurst. All Saints' Cathedral
- Beechworth. Christ Church
- Broadway. St Benedict's
- Burnley. St Bartholomew's
- Castlereagh. Wesleyan Chapel
- Darling Point. St Mark's
- Geelong. St Paul's
- Goulburn. St Saviour's Cathedral
- Ingleburn. Holy Family Catholic Church
- Katoomba. St Hilda's
- Lindfield. Holy Family Catholic Church
- Mandurah. Christ's Church
- Manuka (Canberra). St Paul's
- Melbourne. St James' Old Cathedral
- Melbourne. St Patrick's Cathedral
- Melbourne. St Paul's Cathedral
- Menangle. St James'
- Orange. Holy Trinity
- Papanui. St Paul's
- Parramatta. All Saints
- Randwick. St Jude's
- Rosemeadow. Our Lady Help of Christians
- South Brisbane. St Andrew's
- Sydney. St Andrew's Cathedral
- Turramurra. St James'
- Wangaratta. Holy Trinity Cathedral
- West Heidelberg. St Pius X
- Yass. St Clement's
ANZAB branches have also suspended various activities. Contact them for further information.
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.
Read more about the Assistance scheme, and how to apply, by following this link.
in brief
Updated: 30 March, 2020
COVID-19 Suspensions
See news item here for COVID-19 related suspensions.
anzab diary
Updated: 10 September, 2020
2020
23 - 26 October
Wellington. Annual Ringing Festival.
Venue: St Paul's Cathedral
For NZ residents only, subject to COVID-19 restrictions remaining at level 2 or below.
More information
Contact:
15 November
Sydney. NSW & ACT Branch Committee Meeting.
Contact:
things to ring for
2021
26 June - 200th anniversary of the invention of the Ellacombe Chimes
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.
news archive
latest first
2020
Future 12 Bell Weekends - 20 September
Blessing of Bells (Parramatta) - 9 September
Darwin Tower Project On Hold - 3 September
Earthquake Strengthening - 2 August
Stedman Cinques Handbell Peal - 29 July
Ringing Towers
Latest issue:
vol.74, no. 3, Winter 2020
Find it on the Members' section.
Deadline for next issue:
28 September 2020.
Daylight Saving Time
New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand: Daylight Saving Time will commence on 27 September 2020 (UTC +13 hours) and will cease on 4 April 2021 (UTC +12 hours).
New South Wales, A.C.T., Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia: Daylight Saving Time will commence on 4 October 2020 (UTC +11 hours, South Australia UTC +10.5 hours) and will cease on 4 April 2021 (UTC +10 hours, South Australia UTC +9.5 hours).
Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory: No Daylight Saving Time.