Nagambie's clocktower, which pays tribute to those who served and died in World War II, was fixed on March 8 by a new member of the Nagambie RSL Branch.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“It’s very important for Nagambie,” RSL newbie Tony Cincotta said.
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“I’m glad I could help.”
On March 6, Mr Cincotta came to the rescue, with the help of fellow local RSL members Bob Doherty and Davo Kells, when he utilised his years as a watch and clockmaker at 17 to repair an historic monument at the heart of Nagambie’s centre.
Opposite the cenotaph, the clock stands as a tribute to Nagambie and District residents who served or lost their lives in Word War II.
The clock was erected as a community effort, and still relies on maintenance from locals.
“A committee was formed after World War II, and they raised donations from the community,” Mr Doherty said.
“After the monument was constructed with that money, the committee was disbanded.
“Really, nobody owns the clock, but as the RSL, we’re the guardians of it because of our involvement in war history.”
Up until March 6, the clock’s face displayed 6.30 each hour of the day, having not ticked in over 12 months.
Tony Cincotta (left) was aided by Bob Doherty and Davo Kells in repairing the historic monument.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Mr Cincotta, who recently joined the Nagambie RSL Sub Branch following his move to town, said it feels like fate that he was able to repair the iconic monument.
“It’s like it was meant to be, I’m so happy I was able to help,” Mr Cincotta said.
“Now I really feel like I’m part of the place.”
And although it’s been a while since he performed his old trade, and he’d never experienced working on something quite so large, Mr Cincotta said, “it’s all the same principle.”
The clock serves as an important symbol for the Nagambie community, honouring the 11 Nagambie residents who died in service or were killed in action with a plaque etched onto its side.
“I was in the National Service,” Mr Doherty said.
“I did two years of in-house training, and then I was on the reserves for five years, but I didn’t go to war.
“The clock is there to pay tribute and honour those who made that supreme sacrifice, and for the young men and women whose lives were cut short by the tragedy of war.
“We don’t want to lose any of the monuments.”
With the clock now accurately ticking, it acts not just as a reminder of the time for those making their way through Nagambie’s town centre, but also as a reminder for the sacrifices made by many Australians in war.
The clock, along with the cenotaph opposite, which pays tribute to those who fought and died in World War I, will be spotlighted during the upcoming Anzac Day parade.
“When the catafalque party march on Anzac Day, they march on each side of the clock,“ Mr Doherty said.
“And the clock will be standing there, in all of its glory, working.
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