Clock shop connects a family

WHEN Keira Quinn Lockyer brought her grandchildren to Sovereign Hill in 2011, she spotted the Rees and Benjamin watch and clockmaker’s shop.

“I had Benjamin ancestors, and lots of clockmaker ancestors, so I thought I’d do some research,” she said.

“I found out all about Abraham Rees, and Joseph Benjamin, and found out I was distantly related to him. My great uncle was a clockmaker in Melbourne and had provided clocks and watches for Joseph.

“Then, I started to find out who was descended from Joseph Benjamin, and that’s how I found all these people.”

Ms Quinn Lockyer reached out to newly-found relatives in the broader Benjamin family, and last month, they came to Ballarat to visit Sovereign Hill, and see the recreation of the Rees and Benjamin shop.

The patriarch of this group is Maurice ‘Modge’ Smith who was pleased to make the trip up from Melbourne, accompanied by his three children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

“Keira was very influential in bringing us up to date with the history of my great-grandfather Joseph Benjamin,” he said.

“At the time of the gold rush in 1852, or there abouts, he and his partner were in the clocks and jewellery business, and I’ve long felt that I wanted to come, visit, and see his shop.

“Keira wrote a very fine booklet about the history, and here I am to see it in the flesh. It’s a remarkable feeling for someone of nearly 99 years of age. It’s a great thrill.

“It’s quite moving. I’ve got to thank the Ballarat Historical Society, and Keira…”