How the Bells Came to Perth.
Commemorating Australia's bicentenary in 1988, the twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields as well as five specially cast bells were presented to the University of Western Australia, the City of Perth and to the people of Western Australia.
The London diocese of the Church of England and the parish of St Martin-in-the-Fields gave authority for the project to proceed.
The additional bells cast in 1988 include two from the cities of London and Westminster, who each gifted one bell to the project, and a total of three bells bestowed by a consortium of British and Australian mining companies.
Completing the ring of eighteen bells, a sixth new bell was commissioned by the Western Australian Government to mark the second millennium.
The Patron of the Bell Tower
The Minister for Culture and the Arts, the Honourable Sheila McHale presented Mr Laith Reynolds with the accolade of Patron of the Bell Tower.
" This is my opportunity to publicly acknowledge Laith for his outstanding and unparalleled support and commitment to this public project. Laith is a tireless supporter, substantial investor, and an example of the most generous contributor of time, funding, effort and drive to create, and continue to fuel, this unique attraction. Laith, I can only hope your enthusiasm and drive rubs off on your city peers."
Laith alone has donated numerous items including perhaps the most extensive library on bell related books and material that altogether is valued at over $750 000...and he has even more planned.
Many of the important historical items required for the proposed fitout program have been donated or can be sourced at little cost - most of which is due to Laith's extraordinary efforts in his international travels.
The Bell Tower Foundation takes this opportunity to thank Mr Laith Reynolds for his continued dedication, not only to the Bell Tower project itself, but for how his efforts, and those of donors like Mr Mark Creasey, are contributing to Western Australia's tourism potential and the face of Perth as the states capital.
