Men’s Shed members making lagerphones.
Creativity and perseverance are the criteria for this project – 350 lagerphones made for the Harden Community Book Week event.
What is a lagerphone?
A lagerphone, or Murrumbidgee River Rattler. An upright pole with two crosspieces upon which are screwed beer bottle tops. The noise is made by hitting the instrument on the floor, at the same time striking the middle section with a solid piece of wood. [The Bushwhackers Australian Songbook]
It is a rhythm and percussion instrument much used in Australian bush bands to provide timing for both the band with the melody and the dancers with their steps. Often the lagophonist is also the caller – the person who calls out to the dancers what the dance formations and steps will be.
The lagerphones made for the children are smaller than the traditional ones used in a bush band.
The brainchild of Erica Glover of the Harden Community Book Week Committee and
Murrumburrah Public School resulted in the 350 lagerphones being made over a period of three weeks.
Steve Stone, Treasurer of the Men’s Shed, said that Erica gave him a template to consider and they went with that.
The beer bottle tops were purchased online – 6000 of them! The team punched holes in the bottle tops and then cut up 400 poles/sticks and started putting them altogether.
The children will decorate their own lagerphones and make music by shaking them.
This project had most members of the Men’s Shed working on it, so that is about ten members. Steve said it was the first time in his six years that they had a project that they all worked on together. A great result.The most expensive part of the project was the bottle tops. They cost over $200, but the Book Week Committee had funds raised last year that paid for the bottle tops. The Men’s Shed cut down boards using table saws and ran them through the linisher so the sticks were not rough for the children to hold and shake.
Each lagerphone has sixteen bottle tops attached to the top half of the stick with hardwood fasteners.
The 2026 Children’s Book Week theme is ‘Symphony of Stories’.
This event celebrates reading, creativity and imagination by bringing together schools, community organisations and residents of all ages for a morning of fun.
Book Week was established in 1945 by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), Book Week aims to promote a love for reading and recognise the invaluable contribution of Australian authors and illustrators. Over the decades, it has grown into a nationwide celebration filled with storytelling, creative dress-ups, and book-themed activities.
Research shows that early exposure to reading significantly influences cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. Celebrations like Book Week make reading visible and exciting, transforming it from a solitary activity into a communal experience. It encourages families and educators to prioritise daily reading and introduces children to a variety of genres, characters, and ideas.
Each year, the CBCA selects a new theme—such as “Reading is Magic” or “Find Your Treasure”—to spark imagination and guide activities throughout the week. The event also includes the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, which showcase the best in Australian children’s literature. Educators use these books to develop themed lessons, art projects, and literacy games that engage even the most reluctant readers. Children’s Book Council of Australia
Save the date – Tuesday 26th August 2026 for the event where competition winners will be announced, and the raffle will be drawn. Come on down to McLean Oval in Harden from 9 am – 12:30 pm to celebrate the Symphony of Stories in Harden.
Robyn Atherton
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