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 350 members who ring at more than 70 bell towers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Non-ringers might like this introduction to bellringing.
Ringers and potential ringers can contact our association's office bearers or local towers and ringers.
NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Updated: 5 December, 2024
Armidale 28th Anniversary Weekend 
Armidale’s delayed anniversary weekend was held on the weekend of 22-24 November 2024. Slightly later than normal, due to competing commitments. We were pleased to welcome four visitors - Enid Roberts, Elaine Lee, Stephen Fox and Maggi Fisher - who added much needed strength to our developing band.
Apart from commemorating the 28th anniversary of the first ringing of the bells, the primary focus of the weekend was the introduction of our learners to the world "beyond plain hunt", something that we haven't been able to do with our resident band. The chosen "first method" was Grandsire Doubles, a method that we believed could be managed with our existing personnel once the basics had been mastered. As a result of the weekend, we now feel that this is achievable, and the goal is to be ringing well-struck plain courses of Grandsire by Christmas.
The ringers after service ringing on 24 November 2024
The ringing program also included rounds and call changes on 6 and 8, some Plain Bob Minor, and Plain Hunt on 5, plus chalk and talk. As usual, ringing commenced on Friday evening; followed by two 2-hour sessions on Saturday; and service ringing on Sunday morning. Saturday night saw 18 ringers and their guests dining at the Royal Hotel.
We are grateful to our visitors for making the trip to Armidale - they know how much difference they made to our endeavours. We are also grateful to ANZAB for a training grant which was supplemented by local funds and used to defray the travel costs of the visitors.
Simon McMillan
St James' Brighton Update
The church is still a building site, but looking largely good from the outside, though still with some windows boarded up. Inside there is a lot of scaffolding, and my assumption is that it won't be open for the 10th anniversary of the fire, but maybe by mid-2026.
I was on-site at the invitation of the architect to measure up for new stays, ropes and ceiling bosses.
The bells and their sound control remain as before the fire. The ringing chamber has been moved from the ground floor up to level one. It will be accessed by a straight, wide staircase. See the floor plan and cross-section. The ringing chamber is a comfortable size, but without any cross ventilation. As you exit the ringing chamber the main body of the church and the organ loft are on your left.
I have alerted the architect to the need for ventilation and sound insulation in the ceiling of the ringing room.
Stephen Young (Bendigo)
November 2024
Christmas, New Year and Holiday ringing times
Many towers do not practise in the week between Christmas and New Year, and other ringing times may vary at this time of year.
The following towers have advised changed arrangements. If not specified, Christmas Day Service ringing usually follows Sunday Service ringing times, but do check ahead.
| Ballarat Town Hall |
8 December - No ringing 31 December, New Year's Eve ringing, 9:00pm till late 12 January - No ringing |
| Sydney Christ Church St Laurence |
No Practice 24 December Christmas Day Service ringing, 8:15-9:00am and 10:00-10:30am No Practice 31 December |
Visting ringers should always check ahead, especially for towers not listed here.
Tower contacts are encouraged to send additions and changes to this list to the
ASCY Master's Challenge and Dinner in Sydney
All Australian ringers (ASCY members or not) are invited to take part in "The Master's Challenge" and to attend the ASCY Oz25 Tour Dinner on 2 March 2025 in Sydney. Both are part of an Australia ringing tour by Ancient Society of College Youths.
The Master's Challenge is intended to be a "no-pressure", "good-fun" ringing event with four mixed teams of up to 14. There will be four "challenges" - on 6, 8, 10 and 12 bells - with everyone ringing at least 3 times. Ringing will be at Sydney City towers.
The Tour Dinner is at L'Aqua restaurant, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Tickets are $130 a head. All local ringers and partners/friends are invited to attend.
See the full invitation including how to register here. Registrations close on 16 February 2025.
Phil Goodyer
November 2024
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: 5 December 2024
Sydney. St Philip's
Practice cancelled 13 December, 20 December.
See also Holiday ringing times for changed ringing times and cancellations.
anzab diary
Updated: 26 November, 2024
2024
15 December
Melbourne. 10-bell practice
St Paul's Cathedral
Contact:
2025
23 February
Adelaide. ASCY-ANZAB BBQ.
Contact:
27 February - 2 March
Oamaru. Two Island Cluster Event.
Contact:
2 March
Sydney. ASCY-ANZAB Challenge & Dinner.
Non-ASCY members invitation here.
Contact:
24-27 April
ANZAB 2025 Festival and AGM.
Goulburn+.
Contact:
news archive
latest first
2024
Armidale 28th Anniversary Weekend - 4 December
Training in Bathurst, Lithgow, Katoomba and Sydney - 29 November
St James' Brighton Update - 23 November
Publications and Merchandise Page Updated - 21 November
ASCY Master's Challenge and Dinner Invitation - 14 November
Online Lectures - 5 November
Ringing Towers
Latest issue:
vol.78, no.4, Spring 2024
Download the electronic version
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Deadline for next issue:
31 December 2024.
Early submissions appreciated,
and essential for longer articles.
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand: DST commenced on 29 September 2024 (UTC +13 hours) and will cease on 6 April 2025 (UTC +12 hours).
New South Wales, A.C.T., Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia: DST commenced on 6 October 2024 (UTC +11 hours, South Australia UTC +10.5 hours) and will cease on 6 April 2025 (UTC +10 hours, South Australia UTC +9.5 hours).
Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory: No DST.