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Clip description
This unedited mute, black-and-white footage shows street scenes around the Sydney GPO, during removal of the clock tower in 1942.
Curator’s notes
This footage was shot in the streets surrounding the Sydney GPO while the clock tower was being removed. It shows cars and pedestrian traffic in the three streets bordering the building: Martin Place (which was converted to a pedestrian plaza in 1969), George Street and Pitt Street. The post office building is enclosed by timber barricading. The presence of service men and women, the 1940s fashions and motor vehicles, and the signs advertising ‘National Savings Bonds’, are firm indications that the Second World War is in progress.
At this time the Sydney GPO was the pride of the Postmaster-General’s Department. Eventually, with technological change and the restructuring of post and telecommunications services, most of the building’s functions were relocated or became obsolete. In 1995 Australia Post instituted a tendering process for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site. Today a 26-level office tower and a 31-level hotel rise behind the retained heritage elements of the old building – the external sandstone façades, sandstone walkways and, of course, the clock tower.
