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 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.


Updated: 8 September, 2024

vale Andrew Bolton

Andrew Bolton

I remember Andrew Bolton as a dynamic and enthusiastic member of the ringing team at St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne.

Andrew was an English ringer and electrical engineer who moved to Melbourne for work in 1965.

He and his wife Shirley were a welcome addition to the ringers at St Paul's Cathedral and soon made their presence felt. Shirley was an avid knitter and ringer. Andrew brought his enthusiasm for ringing, and in particular, conducting Stedman Caters, to a team that was still mourning the departure of his predecessors, Phillip Gray and George Pipe.

In 1968 Andrew was elected captain of St Paul's Cathedral. His vibrant personality and encouragement of learners made their mark on the ringing scene of the time.

Andrew and Shirley were in Melbourne during the "Great Adventure II". They, with two other locals, joined the visitors in a peal of Kent Treble Bob Maximus, the first peal of Maximus rung outside the UK.

Andrew died on 23 August 2024. We extend our sympathy to Shirley, and to his sons Robert and Darren.

David Heyes

October Events

Wellington Festival October 2023
  Wellington Festival October 2023


The diary (left hand column) shows many ANZAB events on in October.

For information please contact the organisers listed. Help them by registering your availability asap.

Brisbane to Sydney Delight Singles

people sitting indoors
Rachel Aland, Matthew Shaw, Tom Finn, Tim Davies, James Perrins and Luka Sostarko enjoying Andrew Davies' hospitality

After service ringing in Brisbane, over morning coffee, three ringers decided to do a road trip to Sydney for the 12-bell practice. We left early Thursday morning with our car packed with luggage and coffee, stopping to visit Wallangarra/Jennings to see the old train station and to stand on the border. We carried on to Armidale for the Thursday night practice, where we led the session, helping their learners progress from plain hunt to plain bob and from bell handling to call changes.

On Friday morning, we continued to Sydney, arriving in the afternoon and attended St Mary’s 12-bell practice, with each of us (Matt Shaw, Tom Finn, Rachel Aland) gaining new experience of ringing methods on 12 and me climbing halfway up the tenor’s rope to pull it off. The weekend was filled with a few first quarters, including Stedman Triples, Spliced Surprise Major and Cambridge Minor. A big thanks to the Sydney ringers and Andrew Davies for organizing the quarter peals and hosting a delicious BBQ.

Overall, a fantastic weekend of ringing with surfing at Seal Rocks on the Monday morning.

Matt Shaw
6 August 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.

as shown on BellBoard

see other performance links on the
Peals & Quarters page

Updated: 11 September 2024

Randwick. St Jude's
No service ringing 15 September.

Updated: 31 August, 2024

2024

17 September
Sydney. NSW-ACT Branch Practice.
Venue: St James Queens Square
Contact:

4-7 October
Sydney Ringing School
Helpers may register here
Contact:

8-10 October
Goulburn. ANZAB 12 Bell Extension.
Register
Contact:

11-13 October
Sydney. ANZAB 12 Bell Weekend.
Register
Contact:

14 October
Lithgow. Hoskins Memorial Day.
Contact:

17 October
Burwood. NSW-ACT Branch Practice.
Contact:

19 October
Rockingham. WA Branch Practice
Contact:

25-28 October
Wellington. Wellington Ringing Festival
Register here
Contact:

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email - looktoanzab

latest first

2024

Brisbane to Sydney Delight Singles - 6 August

New Bells Arrive in Christchurch - 2 August

Latest issue:
vol.78, no.3, Winter 2024

Ringing Towers cover

Download the electronic version

Download the print version

Deadline for next issue:
30 September 2024.
Early submissions appreciated,
and essential for longer articles.