Tara Murray
One of Brimbank’s most historic sites will be open to the public on Saturday.
The Black Powder Mill, which was built in 1942, is the only remaining building from the Albion Explosives Factory.
The mill was built during World War II when there were concerns about a shortage of gunpowder.
Friends of Black Powder Mill acting president Noel Tozer said the building was the last one of 400 left from the explosives factory.
“This is the only one left behind,” he said. “This one along with several others were listed for heritage nominatiation and this managed to get through the red tape to get on the heritage list the other didn’t.
“It’s a reminder of the people that worked in western Melbourne, as there were 24,000-25,000 people working in those industries during the war.”
Mr Tozer said the building and the overall factory was important in the context of the history of Melbourne’s west.
The mill closed in 1944 and was left to deteriorate.
It reopened in 2005 following restoration work. One of the walls was rebuilt completely, with the machinery underneath refurbished.
The open day will include talks and demonstrations of the mill machinery and the firearms using black powder. The Historical Re-enactment Society of Australia will fire three different rifles, using gunpowder.
The mill will be open between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday, with the demonstrations at 11am and 1.30pm.
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