General News
2 June, 2022
Clock tower silent for now
CAMPERDOWN locals might have noticed the township has been missing a regular sound.
CAMPERDOWN locals might have noticed the township has been missing a regular sound.
Over the weekend, the town’s iconic clock tower had a number of mechanisms removed for restoration – including the chime, according to long-term clock tower volunteer John Hulm.
“We removed the chime and the strike mechanism on Sunday,” he said.
“Some of them are in a really bad way so they have been sent away to be refurbished.
“Clock Masters Australia in Adelaide will be able to refurbish them.”
Mr Hulm who gives tours of the clock tower was heavily involved in the restoration of the clock tower in recent years.
For his efforts he was awarded the Heritage Victoria Ray Tonkin 2022 individual volunteer award. As well as a certificate in acknowledgement he received $2000.
Mr Hulm said a proviso of the funds was it was to be spent on a heritage project and he could think of no better project than the beloved Camperdown clock tower.
“It (the $2000) won’t cover it, but the shire has informed me they will cover the shortfall,” he said.
“The clock tower is 125 years old next year. It (the damage) is just wear and tear. Its age has finally caught up.
“There was a lot more wrong with it than we thought.
“The shire is 100 per cent behind me. It’s the most iconic freestanding clock tower in Victoria.
“The people of Camperdown should be proud.”
Mr Hulm said the clock tower would still show the time, but would not chime on the hour.
