Sorry, John... couldn't resist. I just had to know... In 1797, Hunter commissioned the building of Australia's first public clock tower, after the HMS 'Reliance' brought the clock to Sydney on 26 June 1797. The 150-foot tall tower was erected on Church Hill, one of the most elevated locations in Sydney, and completed in January 1798. On 31 January 1798, the clock was positioned on the tower in front of a small gathering. The building served not only as a clock tower, but as an observation tower for members of the military who had an interest in scientific pursuits.