GEORGE MORRISON TOWER

Modified on Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:12 by Con — Categorized as: Buildings And Places, Heritage Items and Objects, Topic

GEORGE MORRISON TOWER

The favours of war have tipped in the College’s favour after restoration of the iconic George Morrison Tower in 2012. The tower, built in 1871 surmounting first principal and owner George Morrison’s home is one of the most enduring and well-known images of the College. Last renovated in the late 1970s after a lightning strike, the tower has been the long suffering object of attack by pidgeons, cockatoos, and the relentless weather. Now, defensively restored the tower can continue to grace the School.

The restoration included re-slating of the roof, removal of years of accretion from birds and pests, treatment of structural timbers, replacement of the timber louvres and sealing of the tower from bird intrusion and inclusion of bird alarms - hopefully to encourage them to play elsewhere. Unfortunately, the windvane which now doubles as a lightning conductor and carries George Morrison’s initials was not able to be restored to its freewheeling past.

Sources: Ad Astra June 2012 p13.