Bell Ringers

Bicentennial Bells

The Cathedral tower was completed as a bicentennial project in 1988 and eight historic bells were acquired from St Mark’s, a redundant church in Leicester, UK.  These bells, cast in 1872, form the core of the current installation.  The instrument has since been extended, with additional bells acquired in 1994, 2005 and 2006.

Each of the bells is inscribed, providing a fitting link to the First Fleet of 1788.

How are the bells rung?

Each bell is attached to a wheel with a long rope extending to the ringing room below. Pulling the rope causes the bell to rotate through a full circle – clockwise, and then back again. It takes one person to ring each bell.

In change ringing, each bell is rung one after another in sequence.  The sequence can then be varied to produce different musical effects – hence the term “change ringing”.  Change ringing has its own unique notation, and ringers memorise the various patterns prior to each performance.

Our team of bellringers

St Saviour’s has a small but enthusiastic team of volunteer bellringers.  We practice on Tuesday evenings from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, and ring for service on Sunday mornings from 9:15am to 10:00am.

In addition, the bells are rung for many other occasions, both sacred and civic, such as Christmas Day, Easter Day, Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Lilac Festival, weddings, ordinations and much more.

Recent ringing performances in Goulburn: https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/search.php?place=goulburn

Our bellringing team is affiliated with the Australia & New Zealand Association of Bellringers (ANZAB), and enjoy travelling to ring at other churches throughout the Diocese and the wider association.

Once you have learned the basic technique you will always be made welcome when you visit other towers. Worldwide. there are more than 5,000 church towers and a small number of secular towers with bells suitable for change ringing.  Being a bellringer is immensely satisfying.  Some of the benefits include:
  • Global group of friends
  • Life long learning experience
  • Maintain a traditional skill
  • Service to the church
  • Fantastic team activity
  • Great mental workout
  • Opportunity to visit amazing places

Our bellringers in the news

February 2020 Goulburn Post - Bellringers open day
December 2021 Yass Valley Times - Church ringer rings St. Clements' Bells 40 years on
January 2022 Goulburn Post - Goulburn's Saint Saviour's Cathedral bell-ringers appeal for volunteers

Find out more

What is bell ringing?
Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers
St Saviour's Cathedral's page on the Association's website
Discover Bell Ringing

New, experienced, or visiting bell-ringers are welcome.

If you think you may be interested in becoming a bell ringer, please phone our Cathedral office and we will put you in contact with our Bell Captain.

Office: (02) 4821 2206 , Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday - 9am-12noon (closed Public Holidays)