Photo taken on May 4, 2019 shows clocks and watches at the Irish Club in Australia's capital Canberra. A display of clocks and watches "Time And Space" was held on Saturday at Irish Club in Australia's capital Canberra. As an event at the 37th "Canberra Heritage Festival," the local members of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) brought various vintage pieces to share the concept of time. (Xinhua/Liu Changchang)
CANBERRA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Birds flew up and down in the golden birdcage and chirped in turn after a woman gently wound it up.
"This is amazing!" A little girl screamed out, curiously looking at other old items and clocks on the table.
A display of clocks and watches "Time And Space" was held on Saturday at Irish Club in Australia's capital Canberra.
As an event at the 37th "Canberra Heritage Festival," the local members of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) brought various vintage pieces to share the concept of time.
"The clock which comes out of a church in England was made in 1790. It was in very poor conditions, and we restored it," Roger Little, the organizer of the event told Xinhua.
A collection of all handmade clocks, small-character clocks, watch and famous clocks are on display. Some collectors even brought their entire set of works, microscopes, tweezers and alcohol lamps, to make parts with machines to show how to become a horologist.
"If you bring your own treasured timepieces for assessment, we could give a description of the item including where and when they were made." Little said.
Young people are rarely seen here where most of the members are elderly.
Reuben Schoots likes mechanical things. He was obsessed with buying cars and making them faster until one day, a friend showed the inside of a watch to him.
"It opened a new world for me. To see hundreds of little parts telling about time," Schoots said with passion. "I think it will be a shame for such a skilled art just lost because of modern technology. I am making watches and clocks now, doing something with my hands to be very meaningful. I like the idea of the journey and enjoy the process."
Linda Roberts, the engagement and festival coordinator of The Canberra Heritage Festival, said there have been more than 200 different events held in Australian Capital Territory from April to May including talks, dinners, dances, tours, concerts, markets, etc.
"Our festival is celebrating the theme of space. Space could be out of space, or the space of time. It raises awareness of the ongoing need to conserve our natural, historic an aboriginal heritage," Linda said.
