The National Carillion was a gift from the British Government to the people of Australia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national capital.
Queen Elizabeth II accepted the National Carillon on behalf of Australians on 26 April 1970. John Douglas Gordon, after whom the Aspen Island footbridge is now named, played the inaugural recital.
The tower rises to a height of 50 metres allowing the music of the bells to drift across Lake Burley Griffin and through Kings and Commonwealth Parks. The tower is lit at night, providing a magnificent landmark.
Carillons have a minimum of 23 bells. With 55 bronze bells, the National Carillon is large by world standards. The pitch of the bells ranges chromatically through four and one half octaves. The bells each weigh between seven kilograms and six tonnes. Cast in England by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough, they are fine examples of the art of bell-founding.
Carillonists play the suspended stationary bells from a keyboard of wooden batons and pedals, called a clavier. A system of individual cables and wire linkages draws soft iron clappers on to the bells as each wooden baton or pedal is struck by the carillonist. A separate mechanical system of operation allows the quarter hour striking of the Westminster chimes.
There are two ways to log this virtual cache. You can choose either one.
Option 1: Q&A
You will need to visit the Carillion and collect some numbers.
Once you have sent me the numbers, you can log the cache.
To be eligible to log this cache as found, you need to email me, or message me via the Geocaching app the answers to the four questions below. Just the numbers will do! All numbers need to be correct.
If there is any problem, I’ll be in touch. Logs without correct answers will be deleted.
The Questions:
- After crossing the bridge, how many lights are on the right side before the Carillion?
- How many timber slats make up the bench seat near the Carillion?
- Standing underneath, how many lights are directly above?
- What is the two-digit number on the small round black plaque for excellence?
Option 2: Name & Carillion
Post a photo of your geocaching name(s) written clearly (say on a sheet of paper) or yourself (optional) with the Carillion in the background. Be creative!
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.