National Carillon 50th Anniversary – Design Canberra Festival

The National Carillon. Photo: Courtesy of Visit Canberra
The National Carillon. Photo: Courtesy of Visit Canberra

National Carillon 50th Anniversary

In the year it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Carillon, DESIGN Canberra is excited to welcome the National Capital Authority on board as a silver partner for the 2020 festival.

The National Capital Authority manages the Australian Government’s assets within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), such as Lake Burley Griffin, the National Carillon, ANZAC Parade, Commonwealth Park and the Parliamentary Triangle. These are some of the National Capital’s most significant landscapes and attractions, in the heart of the city.

The National Carillon tower, rising to a height of 50 metres, was the prize-winning design of Western Australian architects Cameron, Chisholm & Nicol. The tower is lit at night, providing a magnificent landmark in the national capital.

In its 50th year, the National Carillon, stands testament to the relationship that Britain and Australia continue to share.

Originally opened on 26 April 2023 by Queen Elizabeth ll, the National Carillon holds a special place in the hearts of all Australians as it continues the strong linkage between music and architecture and this page helps to celebrate this linkage by sharing various videos and information produced to help celebrate the anniversary.

A standard carillon consists of at least 23 bells and with the recent arrival of the of the D and G Bells in January 2020, the National Carillon is large by world standards, and the largest in Australia, now housing 57 bells in total each weighing between seven kilograms and six tonnes.

The arrival of the D and G Bells from the John Taylor & Co foundry in Loughborough, UK on 31 January 2024 meant that the National Carillon was better able to compete on a world stage with more complicated music.

The G Bell was renamed the Ngunnawal Bell after the original owners of the land, the Ngunnawal People of the Australian Capital Territory, and was inscribed with the following:

YUMALUNDI DHAWURA NGUNNAWALNGU NGANAA

GURALILI YARABI DHAWURA MANAGAY

WELCOME TO NGUNNAWAL COUNTRY

YOU MAY LEAVE YOUR FOOTPRINTS ON OUR LAND

DESIGN Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the ACT and surrounding areas. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We aim to respect cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Indigenous people.