Among Bowen State School’s most cherished symbols of tradition is its school bell, whose story begins not on land, but at sea.
The original bell came from the Australian Minesweeper HMAS Bowen, a naval vessel built in 1942 and decommissioned in 1945. Before the ship was sold for scrap in 1956, both the bell and ship’s wheel were presented to the Bowen Shire Council — with the bell being gifted to Bowen State School.
Over the decades, the bell was mounted in various locations around the school and served different ceremonial and practical purposes. It became a familiar part of the school day and a source of fond memories for many students, particularly those who had the honour of ringing it each day. This privilege was often granted to senior students, under the guidance of their upper school teacher — a quiet rite of passage remembered fondly by alumni.
Sadly, in the 1990s, the bell developed a crack, rendering it unusable. It was then carefully removed and is now preserved at the Bowen Historical Museum, where it continues to be admired for its craftsmanship and historical significance.
In 1996, a new bell was cast to replace the original. However, with the introduction of a modern electronic bell system, it was used for only a short time before being retired. This replacement bell now resides safely in the School Archives located in F Block, a symbol of continuity and the enduring sounds of school life.