SHEEP BELL

A collaborative effort to recreate an item from earlier times. Hand made bells made from a wooden yoke shaped piece of timber, leather straps and a piece of metal shaped, solders and a metal clapper. Bells like this were worn by sheep wandering the densely timbered bush in the early years of the Wadjela settlements - prior to the building of fences. Larger ones were used on cattle and smaller ones were sometimes placed on children so that they would not get lost while land was being cleared or grubbing for poison plants. Another devise to ensure stock and horses did not wander too far was hobbles - which would be attached to two legs with a loose chain that allowed for walking, but not quicker movement. (see hobbles in Kojonup Miliary Barracks collection)

The sheep bell was donated by Cathy Wright. The yoke was made by Ian McDonald using similar items found in the Historical Society as a template. Jo Goodall 'roughed the yolk up' using fencing barbs and tanning polish and she also supplied the piece of reins and the wooden pegs.