When the Bell Rang Out: A Timeless Moment in Narrandera’s Story

The Narrandera Clock Tower

Country towns often carry their history proudly, etched into streetscapes, halls and landmarks that have watched generations pass. In Narrandera, one such symbol stands tall on the main street, quietly marking time and memory. The Narrandera Clock Tower, rising above the Council Chambers, is more than an architectural feature. It is a storyteller, and one of its most significant chapters began in 1935, when a bell was finally installed and its voice echoed across the town.

A Landmark Built to Last

The Narrandera Council Chambers, completed in 1912, remain a prominent feature of the town’s main street. Designed in the Inter-War Classical style, the building is distinguished by strong horizontal lines, formal symmetry and a commanding clock tower that anchors the streetscape. Beneath the tower, a time capsule was sealed and placed, preserving a snapshot of the town for future generations and reinforcing the building’s role as both a civic and historical landmark.

Back to Narrandera Week Brings the Town Together

In 1935, Narrandera came alive during the celebratory Back to Narrandera Week, a gathering that welcomed former residents home and honoured the town’s progress. The week was marked by official ceremonies, social events and a strong sense of pride in how far the district had come. It was during these celebrations that the long-awaited installation of a new bell and striker in the clock tower took place, adding both sound and symbolism to the already iconic structure.

The Bell That Marked Progress

The Narrandera Clock Tower

The bell and striker were installed at a cost of £320, a considerable investment at the time. Weighing 11 hundredweight, the bell gave the clock tower its long-missing voice. The mechanism had originally been presented by Mr and Mrs Hankinson, with the bell itself becoming a lasting gift to the town. Mr Hankinson, M.L.A. and a former mayor of Narrandera, addressed the gathered crowd, reflecting on the town’s development over the past 50 years and paying tribute to the pioneers who laid its foundations when Narrandera was first incorporated.

A Moment Led by Community Pride

In a gesture rich with symbolism, Mrs Hankinson officially started the striker of the new bell during the celebrations. With that act, the clock tower was transformed from a silent timekeeper into a living part of the town’s daily rhythm. The bell rang out as a reminder of continuity, resilience and shared identity, echoing across Narrandera and marking a proud moment in its civic life.

Celebrations That Filled the Town

The Back to Narrandera Week festivities culminated in a grand ball, the principal social event of the celebrations. More than 400 people attended, filling the evening with music, conversation and reunion. It was a fitting close to a week that honoured the past while looking confidently toward the future, with the newly installed bell standing as a symbol of that balance.

Visiting Narrandera Today

Today, the  remains a striking reminder of the town’s heritage. For visitors exploring the Riverina, it offers a tangible link to stories of civic pride, community spirit and the moments that shaped regional Australia. Standing beneath the tower, it is easy to imagine the sound of that first bell ringing out in 1935, calling a town together in celebration.

For more information about Narrandera and its heritage landmarks, visit:
https://www.narrandera.nsw.gov.au

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