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EOIs open - Be part of the next chapter for the Federation Handbells

Commissioned by the Victorian Government to mark the centenary of Federation in 2001, the Handbells are musical instruments that were created by acoustic designer and researcher in auditory and music neuroscience Dr Neil McLaughlan and multi-disciplinary artist Anton Hassell. Consisting of thousands of bells of various sizes and tones, the Handbells are the world's first true harmonic bells with each bell producing a single clear musical tone.

The Handbells have been loaned to musicians, orchestras, schools, universities, councils and more and have been used for performances and ceremonies.

The full Handbell Collection comprises 80 sets of 24 chromatic handbells.

With one set now owned by Museums Victoria, forming part of the state’s permanent collection, the remaining 79 sets (11 of which are incomplete) are proposed as part of this EOI to transfer ownership of the Handbells to a new owner or owners. Submissions can be made to own, care for and provide public access to the complete collection, several sets or even an individual set.

This EOI seeks submissions from Victorian organisations that will provide suitable storage facilities and maintenance resources for the bells, and who can provide ongoing public programming of the Handbells to encourage their continued use and enjoyment by a broad range of Victorians.

To express your organisation’s interest in owning one or more handbell sets, please complete the EOI Response Form and submit to infrastructure@creative.vic.gov.au by 5pm Sunday 16 March 2025.

Distribution of the Handbells will be dependent on the EOI selection committee’s assessment against the criteria provided.

Further detail about this EOI including the selection criteria, and details of the proposed transfer process, can be found in the below guides.

OPEN DATE: Tuesday 4 February 2025

CLOSE DATE: Sunday 16 March 2025