Bellringing resurgence unites Yass Valley Community in harmony

The bells of St Clement’s rang out across the Yass Valley on Sunday, drawing people from across the region to the Bellringing Open Day.

Sts. Peter & Paul’s Old Cathedral office administrator and St Saviour’s Cathedral in Goulburn Ringing Master Christopher O’Mahony said the art of bellringing was a truly ecumenical activity.

“It goes across faiths, across generations, across genders,” he said.

“We have dynasties where you’ve got five generations of ringers in the same family. It is just wonderful.”

Bellringing, or campanology, is the traditional practice of ringing church bells in sequences.

Each ringer pulls the rope of one bell, which chimes a single note.

“It is really addictive – the maths, the music, the history, the engineering, the social side,” Christopher said.

“There’s something for everybody.”

Trinity Catholic College student Gabriel Moss has been bellringing for around one year.

“It is very different from your traditional music, like guitar,” he explained.

“It is more physical and more practical. There are a lot of different people doing it, so you can join a community and learn a wonderful musical instrument at the same time.”

Gabriel said once he started ringing bells, he didn’t stop.

“I want to understand more about it – how to make the sounds different, different techniques, how to train people,” he said.

“No one my age was doing it when I first started. It was different from what I thought it would be, but the music and the maths just kept me coming back.”

Christopher said while the Australian New Zealand Association was founded in 1962 with 200 members, it was now about 600 members strong.

“I think it has had a resurgence,” he said.

“Post-covid, people have done a bit of a reset. They have reprioritised their lives and what is important. Rather than chasing the dollar, they are looking for authenticity and genuine activities that are social glue. That’s what this is.”

Christopher said bells had long marked historical occasions.

“A good friend of mine one described the bells as the external choir,” he said.

“People who are walking past stop and listen. They take stock. It helps people transcend their daily lives. Whether we are ringing for Christmas, Easter, ANZAC Day or any religious festival, a wedding, a baptism or funeral, we are there celebrating or commemorating life events.”

Christopher said the ecumenical social community was a huge draw.

“It’s a lovely social community, and it is worldwide,” he said.

“Once you know what you are doing, you are welcome anywhere. You could just knock on the door and be welcomed in.”

While there isn’t any prerequisite to becoming a bellringer, Christopher said a good sense of rhyme helped.

“Like any musical instrument, you can’t just pick it up and do magic,” he said.

“It’s about ten hours to get the basic physical mechanics working, then the sky’s the limit. It is a lifelong learning experience.”