Carillon
At the end of World War I, there was a strong desire to commemorate the service and sacrifice by the University community. However, it was not until November 1923 that the Senate-appointed Advisory Committee on University Life passed on the suggestion of the Evening Student’s Association that the University war memorial should be a carillon in the Clock Tower of the Main Building.
While not universally supported, Senate accepted the recommendation on 3 December 1923. It also accepted the advice that subscriptions be invited from friends and members of the University to pay for the carillon. Early in 1924 the Senate appointed a General Committee for the University War Memorial. £17,500 was raised in the first six months.
In May 1925 the contract for a carillon of 49 bells was awarded to John Taylor & Co in Loughborough (UK) for £17,380. A public, and often very bitter dispute arose between the supporters of a separate campanile and those in favour of the Clock Tower housing the carillon. The bells arrived in Sydney on 12 March 1928 and were installed in the Clock Tower. A public dedication was held on Anzac Day 1928.