Sydney's GPO - an exploration

Known as 'Little Brother' this clock replaced the original Angelo Tornaghi designed clock in 1878. They both preceded the more well-known Clock Tower. 'Little Brother' protrudes over George Street, and this photograph was taken from Barrack Street. This incarnation of the GPO was designed by James Barnet.

Although Barnet was smitten, the original clock dial was difficult to see from street level, and the populace despised it. Its replacement has three dials, each six feet in diameter. This George Street clock became the chief time-piece in the central city until the construction of the Clock Tower (Big Brother) in 1891.

Could you tell me the time, please?

In an era where the mobile phone is replacing the wrist watch, it is still possible to find the time by public time piece. Above is the first public clock in Australia, atop Hyde Park Barracks in Macquarie Street. Built at the behest of Governor Lachlan Macquarie whose bicentenary we celebrate this year (1810 - 1821), it was designed by the convict architect, Francis Greenway.

Top left: Sydney Town Hall clock, George Street Top right: Clock atop the GPO in Martin Place Mid left: Clock on the Central Station tower Mid right: Clock on the main concourse inside Central Station Bottom left: Clock on the old Fays Shoe Shop, corner Liverpool & Castlereagh Sts Bottom right: Orchard Time clock at Railway Square atop the Raben Shoe Shop.

Below is the clock face atop the ANC (Australasian Steam Navigation Company) Building facing Campbell's Cove beneath the Harbour Bridge, which was designed in 1884 by William Wilkinson Wardell who also designed St Mary's Cathedral.