Kiyoshi Thompson is an exchange student from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, spending a full academic year living at UniHall while studying History at UWA. He arrived in Perth in July 2025 and says his choice was simple: he loved the look of the UWA campus and was drawn to the relaxed lifestyle Perth is known for.
While his academic focus is history, Kiyoshi has thrown himself wholeheartedly into the local community through a very unique passion — English-style bell ringing. This centuries‑old tradition, which began in the 17th century as a call to prayer, is deeply rooted in British culture and was carried into former colonies, including Australia.
Kiyoshi has been ringing bells since he was ten. His primary school in the UK sat beside a church that put out a call for students interested in learning the ancient skill. This was during a broader revival of bell ringing in the 19th and 20th centuries, which continues today as more young people rediscover the craft.
When he arrived in Perth, Kiyoshi actively sought out local bell‑ringing groups. Using the Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers directory, he quickly connected with the WA community. Western Australia has eight full‑circle change‑ringing towers, located in York, Bunbury, Mandurah, Rockingham, and several sites in Perth, including St Hilda’s School, St George’s Cathedral, Christ Church Claremont, and the iconic Perth Bell Tower on Barrack Street.
The bell‑ringing community in Perth is a mix of older and younger members, though many groups traditionally skew older. Bells are typically rung for major church services and weddings, mostly by volunteers, though ringers are occasionally paid for special events. Groups meet weekly — often on Sundays and sometimes mid‑week — to practise, and they frequently travel to other towers around the state to connect with fellow ringers.
Kiyoshi describes the Perth bell‑ringing community as incredibly welcoming. He’s been invited to multiple events, made friends outside the university environment, and enjoyed road trips to towers across WA. These experiences have helped him build a strong social circle alongside his UniHall friends and classmates.
Bell ringing itself is a highly skilled musical practice. Each ringer controls a single bell, and the band works together in precise coordination, guided by a conductor. Instead of traditional sheet music, ringers follow numbered sequences that dictate the order in which bells sound. The bells in Perth — many imported from the UK — are full‑circle change‑ringing bells, where the size and weight of each bell determine its pitch.
Between his studies, his involvement in UniHall life, and his commitment to bell ringing, Kiyoshi has built a full and vibrant life in Perth. His year abroad has become not just an academic experience, but a cultural and community one as well.