The sound of tradition returns as the school bell comes home to its rightful place.
In late 2016, Tatura Primary School principal Susanne Gill received an email from a historical society in Gippsland offering to sell the school’s original bell.
Having been a cherished fixture at the old Tatura Primary School site on Casey St, Susanne saw this as a perfect opportunity to bring the bell back home.
“It seemed like an opportunity too good to refuse,” Susanne said.
“I believed it was important to have the bell returned not only to the school, but also to its hometown, so I set about making that happen.”
With assistance from former Tatura Primary School principal Gary Hopcroft, the bell was retrieved and prepared for a full restoration.
Through Gary’s connection with the Tatura Men’s Shed, it was decided that they would undertake the task of polishing and framing the bell for future display.
“Paul Berg applied his exceptional woodworking skills to design and construct a beautiful frame for the bell,” Susanne said.
“The frame is crafted from red gum recovered from the old station master’s house in Tatura.”
The bell itself was meticulously restored by Gary and others, reflecting the considerable effort invested in its revival.
The bell was ceremoniously presented to the school community during a full school assembly in late term one of 2017 and is now proudly displayed in the school’s main walkway area.
“A volunteer at the school, Ian Tavener, recalls ringing the bell back in the day,” Susanne said.
“We also have a display of photos showing the original bell tower’s location.
“Visitors are warmly invited to visit the school and see the bell for themselves.”
BY Kelly Carmody