City Hall Museum and Clock Tower

A fellow traveler, Ellen, from our inn suggested we tour the clock tower and adjacent museum in the city hall building. Wow, what a view from up there! The clock tower officially opened on April 8, 1930 and has one clock that has been running for 88 years, as well as the lift too. Kate, our tour guide was prompt and informative. She kept us on point, as you would not want to be in the tower when the bells are ringing (which is every 15 minutes). The hand operated mechanism for the lift has been updated, but used to be the only control for raising and lowering the lift. Inside the tower are the two motors that control the clock, and one wall clock to run those. She stated that they adjust the main clock one time per month, in comparison to Big Ben in London, which is adjusted every day. We toured the museum on the third floor as well, and it is quite approachable with its´ inclusion of the indigenous stories as well as an interview of 100 individuals of Brisbane. Each tells his or her story of what it means to live in Brisbane (I am Brisbane...). Many pieces of unique art and the current exhibition is entitled, ¨Life In Irons¨ about how the city originally began as a penal colony. The weaving is for my sister, Christina, who is a wonderfully skilled weaver. Inside the city hall is a grand staircase, which reminded me of the Banff Springs hotel staircase. I attempted to do a remake of an old photo pose from that trip. Not quite the same as when I was 9 years old. The last two photos are of a beautiful church from below.