A Black Powder Mill open day will be held on April 29 to commemorate the site of explosives factory that manufactured gunpowder which snarled during World War II.
The historic mill is on the corner of Parklea Avenue and Grassy Point Road, Cairnlea where the federal government set up an original plant to produce gun powder.
“The mill is the only building remaining from the Albion explosives factory set up by the federal government during World War II,” Sunshine District Historical Society secretary Shaun Crosbie said.
“It is located on its original site with plant still intact and in working order. It is a reminder of the thousands of ammunitions produced by workers during wartime and after.”
Elaborating on the composition of gunpowder, Mr Crosbie said it is made out of salt pepper, sulphur and charcoal.
“By attending people will get a greater sense of some local, national and international history of the mill,” Mr Crosbie said.
The Cairnlea mill worked overtime to provide gunpowder for the war effort from 1942 to 1944, and its tower is the last remaining of some 400 buildings demolished at the Albion site.
The mill ceased munitions operations after the war but continued operating manufacturing other products.
The open day is from 10.30am-3.30pm.
Details: Shauncrosbie@hotmail.com or 0417 519 043.
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