Photography credit: The West Australian
As we take a moment to commemorate the Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world this ANZAC Day, we couldn’t help but reminisce on the ANZAC Bell. Complete with a frieze depicting people from all cultures and conflicts, set together in a landscape with a setting sun, the ANZAC Bell is the heaviest type of bell and produces the lowest tone. It is a piece of art in and of itself, depicting the spirits of the ANZAC’s and recognising their contribution to our culture – past, present and future.
Commissioned in 2018 to mark the centenary of World War I, it was designed by Whitechapel Bell Foundry, one of the oldest and most well-known bell manufacturers in the world, before being cast at VEEM’s foundry in Canning Vale. Weighing in at 6,500 kilograms, the ANZAC Bell is the largest swinging bell in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest to be produced in Australia (even still to this date).
The ANZAC Bell is one of the first bells to use 3D printing in the design. During the casting process, we added gold to the copper and tin, reflecting a tradition dating back hundreds of years.
Bell Tuner Nigel Taylor then machined the inside of the bell – adjusting the harmony and tuning it to the desired pitch. This process took over a week to complete due to the pure size and weight of the ANZAC Bell.
The Bell Tower offers an official ANZAC Bell tour where you can learn about the ANZAC legend and the 6,500kg ANZAC Bell, before seeing it ring at midday.