Town Hall, Ballarat
Bring Them Here Vigil, Ballarat, 19 July 2023
An interesting assignment today in Ballarat. We were asked to ring to support the Rural Australians for Refugees, who were holding a little vigil outside the Town Hall to mark 10 years of Mandatory Detention. We were very pleased to be able to do this, with the Mayor's blessing. A glorious day in Ballarat today, following a morning frost.
Edith Fry
Installation of Mayor, 2021
We rang the Town Hall bells this evening for the installation of the new Mayor (who turned out to be the same as last year). This was good as only the tenor rang solemnly last mayoral installation. It turned out quite exciting as we managed to get the Mayor and the CEO both into the tower for a demonstration (unfortunately after two ringers had gone). We have been struggling for recognition at the Town Hall for some time - long before Covid struck - and we might have fixed that, tonight.
Luckily they fed us delicious sandwiches on our arrival as there was a bit of waiting around. The Town Crier had to do his bit on the front steps. We were listening in to know when to start ringing. Fortunately that ended with 3 cheers, so we came in straight after. Everyone was very impressed with the perfect timing, which made us laugh.
The only pic I took was as we ate, after that too busy! We really enjoyed the ringing. The bells were fine after 2 years rest.
from Edith Fry
1 November 2021
Refreshments while waiting in the ringing chamber
Ballarat, Australia Day 2020
We had a terrific day in Ballarat on the 26th of January 2020. It started very early with some ringers attending the dawn ceremony for Survival Day at Lake Wendouree - a profoundly quiet and still morning for a solemn and moving remembrance. After breakfast, we were at St Peter's for the service ring, joined by Deryn and her sister Morwenna so we were able to ring all 8. After morning tea or church or wherever everyone went, we were all at the Town Hall by 11.00, ringing for the Citizenship ceremony, again on all 8. Thank you Deryn for making the trip and bringing Morwenna too and making us sound better! Last but not least, Joe discovered he could take selfies ...
from Edith Fry
Back: Ed Dunens, John Fry, Morwenna Griffiths, Jim Smith
Front: George Alexopoulos, Edith Fry, Deryn Griffiths, Joe Boin
Ballarat Australia Day Peal, 2015
Here are some images from Ed Dunens taken before and after the Australia Day Peal, rung at Ballarat on 26 January 2015.
Before
After!
For the record
The Band: Stephen Young, Calvin Chai, Brian Pettet, Marian Merati, Helen Pettet, Ian Harris, Matthew Sorell and David Smith
See other images and videos on Ed's flickr page.
The Bells and Ringing Room of Ballarat Town Hall
Images from Ed Dunens.
notes
This page supplements the ANZAB Tower Directory, and records further information about the tower, its bells and ringers.
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