b'5The Yarrawonga Clock MuseumBeing in the right place at the right timeWho would have thought that a chance meeting on a tour of New Zealand in 1981 would lead to the opening of a clock museum and a marriage four years later?Brian Williamson [19362018], born in the picturesque town of Yarrawonga on the Murray River, decided to join a tour of New Zealand in 1981. He was planning to visit a clock museum, rummage around in some old antique shops and do some sight-seeing. Unknown to him, his future wife, Joan, was also on the same tour, and they were delighted to discover in each other, kindred spirits with a fascination for antiques, especially clocks.The next few years found the couple attending auctions together and making joint decisions about purchases to add to Brians little collection of a hundred or so clocks.They visited auctions and dealers all over Victoria and by 1983 accepted an invitation to exhibit 20 of their favourite pieces in the foyer of the CBA Bank during a special events week in the town.A year later, encouraged by the response to this littleEvery museum or even private collection is a function of display and now with more than 400 clocks in thethe owners interests, opportunities and budget. Brian collection, the museum extension to the house waswas particularly proud of the collection they were able built and the Tudor House Clock Museum was openedto assemble together, and of the friendships they made and Joan and Brian were married soon after, in 1985. along the way.In the course of the following 33 years together, JoanJoan made the decision to consign the collection to us and Brian welcomed many thousands of visitors tofor auction and we are grateful for her assistance with their museum. They travelled extensively, visiting andthe descriptions; we hope we have produced a catalogue befriending other clock enthusiasts, attending auctionsthat makes her happy and will remain a permanent and conventions, visiting other museums and learningrecord of the collection she and Brian achieved.more and more about their shared passion for clocksAs she has recently said, In this collection there is the and all things mechanical. The collection continued tobig and the small, from the 50 cent alarm clock to some evolve, growing broader and deeper, especially withof the most prestigious clocks you will see. But the value the acquisition of some gems from the Joseph Merauxisnt the thing when youre searching. Its the love of the Collection in New York in 1993 and from the Bryanmechanical and Brian loved them all.Jackson Museum in New Zealand in 1998. Joan andWith saddened heart I must now live with the memory. Brian took note of the comments made by their visitorsI hope the clocks we collected together will find new and, wherever possible, sought to acquire interesting,homes where they can bring joy to other people in the unique and unusual timepieces that illustrated thecoming years. Joan Williamson.ingenuity and variety of creativity that went into the pieces they put on display. Harry Glenn and our team at Leski Auctions'