Every year it’s good to be reminded of the history of the bell.
The Condamine Bell stands 2 metres high and is said to be the town’s only ‘tourist attraction’. Standing in the Condamine Bell Park in the main street, it is a large replica of the Bullfrog or Condamine bell. Plaques on its front tells the history, which records that in 1867-68 a local blacksmith named Samuel William Jones invented the Condamine ‘Bullfrog’ cowbell.
The bell was made from either a cross cut saw or pit saw and was tied around the neck of cattle and bullocks. The bells ensured the stockmen could locate the cattle and even be able to determine the distance by the sound of its bell, apparently up to seven miles (11.2km) away. The bell was so successful, according to Dame Mary Gilmore, that it actually made the cattle deaf.
The trophies are just beautiful, thanks so much to Robyn Paine for the photo.
