Herald SunEdition 1 - FIRSTWED 29 JUN 2005, Page 007 Clock...

Herald Sun
Edition 1 - FIRSTWED 29 JUN 2005, Page 007
Clock fixed? About time
By Geraldine Mitchell, urban affairs reporter


THE neon lights on the city's much-loved Nylex clock will finally flash again today.
Nylex officials will flick the switch on the iconic timepiece just before the sun rises about 7.15am.
The historic sign has undergone a $300,000 facelift over the past four months to erase the ravages of time.
About 17,000 bulbs, 800m of neon tubing and 2km of wiring was used to restore the 44-year-old clock on top of the Richmond silos.
The heritage-listed sign, which flashes the time and temperature, was dismantled last May.
But confusion over the future of the site delayed its restoration. Nylex spokesman George Richards said the lights would shine brighter than ever when the sign was switched back on.
``In the early days I think it was given a lot of tender loving care, but in recent years it hasn't been as well maintained,'' he said.
``Some of the lights will light up parts of the sign that haven't worked for more than 15 years, and satellite technology will make sure the time and temperature are always 100 per cent accurate.''
Mr Richards said he was thrilled to be part of the restoration.
``It's always been handy to see the clock from the train at 8.28am to know I was going to be at work on time,'' he said. ``It probably rates in the top 10 icons of the city.''
Caption: Pretty flash: electrician Dick Renn with a part of the revamped sign.
Finishing touch: the last globe goes in.
Illus: Photo
IllusBy: CRAIG HUGHES
Section: NEWS