By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on April 13, 2018
KATANNING’S town memorial clock, built more than 60 years ago, is about to undergo a facelift to restore it to its original condition.
A Shire of Katanning spokesperson confirmed the works were about to commence and are expected to cost about $3000, which would come out of the Shire’s wallet.
The works are due to be completed by mid this year.
The spokesperson said the clock mechanism had been problematic for the past 15 years and in need of a full restoration.
The restoration will include rebuilding the clock mechanism cabinet that has been chewed by termites, cleaning and repairing the mechanism at the base of the tower, cleaning and repairing the clock hand mechanism, repainting and reinstalling the clock face and hands, refurbishing electrical components where required and replacing the lights on the clock face.
The clock was built to commemorate the pioneering women of Katanning, and was unveiled in 1956 by Sister Elizabeth Grover after a year’s contruction.
Sister Grover was the oldest surviving daughter of William Grover, one of the first settlers in the Shire.
According to the Heritage Council of Western Australia, the clock cost the town 1458 pounds, nine shillings and eight pence to build.
A local jeweller and watchmaker, a Mr LFW Quartermaine, won the contract of maintaining and supervising the clock in 1955, for which he was paid 10 pounds a year.
The clock is one of two of its kind in the public realm; the other is located in Parliament House in Perth.
