Sydney’s skyline is dotted with historical clocks that have quietly ticked through decades of change. As we delve into History Week, it’s fitting to explore the stories behind these timekeepers, each one a witness to Sydney’s evolving landscape.
At the heart of this is Andrew Markerink, a master clockmaker who has been fascinated by the technology since his primary school days.
"It just took a few more years to discover how to put them together again," he said.
Andrew's early curiosity blossomed into a lifelong passion for horology, the science and art of measuring time and making timekeeping instruments. This led him to work on some of Sydney's most iconic clocks.
The most interesting part of Andrew's work is the ability to revive items with great sentimental value.
"Making a clock work as it did from a childhood memory is a special thing to do," he said.
Andrew's meticulous care for every clock he restores reflects a deep connection to their history and significance.
Among the many projects he’s worked on, the piece at Hyde Park Barracks holds a special place in the clockmaker's heart.
"It’s the oldest still being hand-wound in the city and it has a wonderful story to tell," he said.
Every clock tower offers an opportunity to make new discoveries about our history and the people who shaped Sydney. He’ll share these stories at a talk, Exploring Sydney’s clocks, on Wednesday 11 September in Customs House.
With this year’s theme being Marking Time, let’s take a journey through time and discover more about the unique clocks of Sydney.
Sydney Town Hall
The Sydney Town Hall clock has seen its share of adventures from water damage inflicted by the Fire Brigade to an incident while filming a sequence for Play School. Installed by Daly Brothers, this clock manufactured by Gillet & Co is an enduring symbol of Sydney’s resilience. The clock’s history is a testament to Sydney’s ability to repair and restore, even in the face of adversity.
Paddington Town Hall
Paddington Town Hall’s clock tower, soaring 32m high, was built in 1904-05 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII. Inscribed with ‘Edwardus VII’, the clock face is a historical marker, linking the town hall to the era of its creation.
Central Station
The clock tower at Central station has been a constant companion for Sydney’s commuters since its completion in 1921. Designed to be visible around the city centre, the landmark allowed people to sync their pocket watches on their way to work. This earned the tower the nickname ‘the working man’s watch’.
General Post Office (GPO)
The GPO clock tower was once the tallest in Sydney before it was dismantled during World War 2 for fear of enemy attacks. Its removal sparked public outcry after it had not been reinstated by 1945. The tower’s absence was felt deeply and its story is a poignant reminder of the impact of war on our landmarks.
Seiko clock at Circular Quay
Installed in April 1971 at the corner of Alfred and George streets, the Seiko clock brought a modern touch to Sydney's timekeeping and was also known as the Tower Clock. It was one of the timepieces used at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan and was made by Seiko who also supplied the official timekeepers for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. The clock was a gift to the citizens of Sydney to acknowledge it being the home to the biggest Japanese communities outside of Japan. The clock has since been dismantled, in 1998.
Ticking all the right boxes
The City of Sydney Archives has an impressive collection with more information about clocks and how we mark time.
Want to delve into your local history? Check out the collections kept at our library branches.
Don’t miss all of the events happening during History Week, including Andrew Makerink’s talk Exploring Sydney’s clocks.
Published 30 August 2024
