By Jessica Micallef
There’s a renewed push to install electronic chimes in the Woodend Clock Tower.
Woodend resident and clock expert Dale O’Sullivan has launched a survey to garner support to have an electronic sound system installed in the tower, which is also the town’s war memorial.
Mr O’Sullivan, a member of the Woodend and District Heritage Society, has long called for chimes to be installed.
He’s hoping to get enough signatures in support of the chimes, to put a proposal to the Macedon Ranges council early next year.
A Facebook community group, known as Times for Chimes Woodend has been created for people to have their say on the matter.
Earlier this year a local family campaigned to have chimes installed at the clocktower but at the time the idea was knocked back by Woodend RSL and Macedon Ranges council.
With or without chimes, the clocktower is set for a major overhaul. During its November council meeting, the council said the clocktower would receive repair works to its flagpole, clock face, painting upgrades, balcony and balustrades refurbishment and an upgrade to the doors and entry steps.
The council has obtained $30,000 from the state government’s Restoring Community War Memorials and Avenues Honour Grant Scheme for the work. The council will also contribute $30,000 to the project.
Refurbishment on the clock is expected to be completed in time for Anzac Day 2019.
