The Lord Howe Island Museum is rather fortunate to have a number of supporters who contribute to the operations and items at the museum.

One of these is Sydney clockmaker Martin Foster. 

Martin has had two careers – one as a clock repairer and the other as Principal Contra-bassoonist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Martin first came to Lord Howe island in 1973, on a flying boat, and has been back each year for a two-week Christmas holiday with his family, which now includes several grandchildren.

Martin would always call in to see how the museum was progressing, and in 2006 offered to restore one of the clocks on display. The clock dates from the 1880s, and is one of the better American clock brands, made by The Ansonia Clock Co. of New York. 

The origin of the clock is not known, but Martin said when he looked at it, he could see that it had not been maintained, and most likely this was because it was isolated on the island for a long time, away from regular maintenance opportunities.

In December 2010 Martin took the clock to his Sydney workshop, sourced missing parts from the USA and overhauled the movement. The following holiday he brought it back to install in its cabinet that local craftsman George Warner had refurbished in the meantime. 

Now each year when Martin is on his annual family holiday he calls in and inspects the clock operation and lubricates the movement. He said it will be going for many, many years to come.

This year Martin also serviced another clock in the museum – an English clock that was used by the Department of Civil Aviation.