Snapshot in Time: Almost 100 years on, Geraldton’s old Town Hall Clock is still ticking away

Have you ever looked up while travelling down Chapman Road and noticed the Town Hall Clock?

This steadfast old girl has kept the time for Geraldton locals for nearly 100 years, overseeing the daily life and rhythm of a small country town, marking the start and finish of important civic events and celebrations, curfews and even influencing the train and postal schedules.

In the 1920s, Geraldtonians decided it was high time the town had a new clock — one which would effectively replace the Post Office Clock (affectionately known as the “old fibber”) and one which was sufficiently elegant enough to feature on the newly constructed Town Hall.

Fundraising commenced, led by the Geraldton Gaiety Comedy Company and in July 1929, the Geraldton Town Council was proudly presented with a new clock, made by Benson’s Ltd of London.

To this day, the old clock remains mechanical, needing to be wound by hand every two to three days as she sits atop the landmark heritage building now occupied by the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.

She has a sister clock in Lichfield, Staffordshire in the UK.

In this modern age where smartwatches reign supreme, there is something quite lovely about the craftmanship and timeless beauty of an old clock.

Also of interest in the main photograph, in the gardens to the left, is a German 77mm field gun, captured by Australian soldiers in World War I.

Snapshots is an initiative of Geraldton Regional Library. For more information, contact 9956 6659 or library@cgg.wa.gov.au.