Hells Bells and Bugga The Big C Bazza

Theme Thursday has a double edge. The choice of "Bell" was stimulated by a fellow blogger who is about to complete his chemotherapy and fully intends to ring the bell that stands outside the treatment ward as a celebration of his survival. He's asked the blogging community who follow his blog to do the same for those undergoing treatment around the world and to make enough virtual noise to reach one of his commenters in Japan! Well read it and weep Bazz . . cost we're this bell is ringing in Oz! Nothin' further away than us other than NZ and Antarctica!

Now for the serious stuff.

In 2001, the Victorian State Government commissioned the Federation Bell project to celebrate the Centenary of Federation in 2001. I keep banging on about Federation because it was achieved in Australia without a civil war or civil unrest. We just came together and got on with it.

The project included The Field of Bells: a permanent public art work located at Birrarung Marr, near Federation Square in Melbourne which is totally weird because I've been to Federation square three times in as many years and never seen them, let alone heard them.

Federation bells at Birrarung Marr ring three times a day, their contemporary tones a startling contrast to the sombre toll of other bells. The reason for the difference is that the carillon at Birrarung Marr comprises the world's first harmonically tuned bells, invented in Victoria by sculptor Dr Anton Hasell and his colleague, Dr Neil McLachlan.

The stunning sound installation on the banks of the Yarra was created by the two to celebrate the anniversary of Federation in 2001.

Over the 10 years of their collaboration, their creators have discovered the great secret of how to make a perfectly pitched bell. Unlike other bells, theirs has the same harmonic pitch structure as a violin or piano note. This has opened a new set of possibilities for composers who now have the possibility to score a complete work for superbly tuned bells. Although why they'd want to defeats me and brings back memories of lousy talent shows and the guy who plays all those little silver bells in a badly made suit and a pork pie hat.

The sculptor stated, "I hope I am creating work that people will take courage from and inspire them to live an independent life, and take it upon themselves, at whatever cost, to enjoy with passion their own journey in life." This is rather appropriate given Barry's celebration. While I don't follow his blog, I'm happy to ring a bell all the way down under.

But of course, in true Aussie spirit, these bells are electronically fired and naturally, installed upside down!

The weird thing is, I've been to Melbourne twice last year and didn't hear or see them but having found this photo, I now know exactly where they are . . . another excuse to visit one of my favourite Australian cities perhaps?

And Akkerdakker are playing the Homebush Stadium tonight. Yep the Burwood boys are back in town after a long, long, time . . For you Baz . .my name is Hells and I'm ringin' Bells. Stick that up yer Sushi Train Japan!

AC/DC - Hell's Bells
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