Our Lady Help of Christians, Palmerston
The Bells
| . | Note | Weight (cwt-qtrs-lbs) |
Founder | Date | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treble | D | 1-1-23 | Taylor | 2023 | Insription "Welcome to Country, land of the Larrakia People". Has the insignia of King Charles III. Cast for Palmerston. |
| 2nd | C | 1-1-3 | Taylor | 2022 | Cast for Palmerston. |
| 3rd | B flat | 1-1-27 | Whitechapel | 2014 | New bell |
| 4th | A | 1-2-17 | Whitechapel | 2010 | New bell |
| 5th | G | 1-3-11 | Taylor | 1901 | From Newington Hull |
| Tenor | F | 2-2-27 | Taylor | c.1960 | Former buoy bell for Trinity House |
Inaugural ring December 2023
Those present for the inaugural ring on 7 December 2023.
From left: Kathy Campbell (Darwin), Eugene Scaturchino (non-ringer), Jim Doyle (Randwick), Ron Shepherd (Menagle), Lorenzo Lodge (Darwin),
Jo Cruikshank (Darwin), Umberto Villa (Darwin) and Steve Allen (Darwin)
After three years work, the bells at Palmerston are now ringable. This is the culmination of years of anticipation as these are the first bells in the tower, purpose built for bells in 1990.
The local priest request, Father Tom English, asked us to ring for a Christmas Carol Service on 7 December. The Darwin ringers joined me and Jim Doyle to make up a band.
The bells sound very good and go well. Special thanks should go to Eugene Scaturchio and Jim Doyle for their practical support throughout the project and for putting up with me!
The bells in the tower prior to the floor and ceiling being put in.
Ron Shepherd
Palmerston Bells Arrive in Darwin, July 2023
The photo above is of the treble bell for the new ring at Palmerston, and the inscription reads "Welcome to country land of the Larrakia people". While it never went to sea it started its life as a Trinity House bell. The tenor is a Trinity House bell that served time at sea. The treble bell also has a Charles III insignia cast into it, as it was cast within 12 months of the King's coronation.
Kathy Campbell, Claudio Rimondi and Jo Cruikshank, ringers from St Mary's Cathedral, Darwin, with five of the six Palmerston bells
Ron Shepherd
First five bells
Five bells for Palmerston, at Taylor's Bellfoundry, with the second still to be cast. Photo provided by Ron Shepherd 3 December 2021
Plans
This tower is 17 km from the centre of Darwin. It was paid for by the Catholic Women’s League of Australia and finished in 1990. It has never had a bell. The tower is very strong and meets all the strength requirements for cyclonic conditions. It is hoped to install a light ring of six bells with a tenor of approx. 2.5 cwt. The project has located three bells so far.
Ron Shepherd, April 2021
notes
This page supplements the ANZAB Bell and Tower Projects page, and records further information about the tower and its bells.
Project leaders are encouraged to submit material for inclusion on this page, or suggest changes to its content.
Contact the