The Living Museum of the West’s newest project promises to be a real blast from the past.
The community museum is creating an online exhibit documenting Australia’s World War I munitions history, focusing on the key role played by factories in Footscray and Maribyrnong.
Project worker Peter Haffenden says the exhibit Australia’s Arsenal will help people understand important aspects of the industrial past of the west that are largely unknown.
“We all hear about our soldiers overseas, but we rarely hear about this area’s importance for the supply lines,” he said.
“Edgewater used to be the site of the ammunition factory. A good deal of stuff used in World War I came from Footscray and Maribyrnong. Nearly all the bullets were made in Footscray and filled in Maribyrnong.”
The project received $19,950 funding under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants program.
Mr Haffenden says much of the research is complete, but there is still a lot of work to be done processing hundreds of photos and preparing a wide range of material for the website.
“History gets lost very quickly; we want to preserve it,” he said.
“The website will be a few months’ work but will be up and running next year.”
Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten said the western suburbs community made a huge contribution to the war effort in many ways.
“The Living Museum’s website will create an accessible and dynamic way for people across Australia and the world to learn more about our historic munitions industry.”
