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Warrnambool’s 100-year-old World War I-era artillery pieces have been removed from Cannon Hill for repairs and to be made safe again. Warrnambool mayor Tony Herbert said the works were not a full restoration, the cost of which would run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The two howitzers have been taken to Pacific Materials Handling in Warrnambool where staff and volunteers will carry out the works with help from the Warrnambool RSL. Cr Herbert said that he was pleased to see the guns get some attention. “As well as the stunning views, the cannons are synonymous with Cannon Hill,” he said. “Their position on Cannon Hill means that they’re exposed to some pretty harsh elements, especially the salt air coming off of Lady Bay, so for safety reasons, these two cannons had been fenced off for some time. “It’s important to understand though that this is not going to be a full restoration. A condition report was completed on the artillery pieces in the precinct in 2019, Cr Herbert said, and the cost to carry out a full restoration would run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. “The guns will be made safe again while being cleaned and repaired as much as practicable so they can once again be enjoyed by the community without the need to fence them off,” Cr Herbert said. “I would like to thank Pacific Materials Handling and everyone else involved for collaborating on this project. This is the great spirit of cooperation and community mindedness that our city is known for, and it has really come to the forefront during the current pandemic.” Pacific Materials Handling has offered to house the cannons for free while the works are carried out. Managing director David Hetherington said it was about cleaning them up and making them safe to get back to something that looks decent. “Our welding and metal work staff will lend a hand to carry out some of the work too,” Mr Hetherington said. The cannons will be worked on over the coming months before being returned to Cannon Hill. RA Steel generously transported the cannons for free. Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
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Warrnambool City Council coordinator depot operations Mark Mirtschin, RA Steel crane operator Peter Sell and Pacific Material Handling sales representative Natalie Willsher with one of the cannons that has been taken away for repairs.
Warrnambool’s 100-year-old World War I-era artillery pieces have been removed from Cannon Hill for repairs and to be made safe again.
Warrnambool mayor Tony Herbert said the works were not a full restoration, the cost of which would run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The two howitzers have been taken to Pacific Materials Handling in Warrnambool where staff and volunteers will carry out the works with help from the Warrnambool RSL.
Cr Herbert said that he was pleased to see the guns get some attention.
“As well as the stunning views, the cannons are synonymous with Cannon Hill,” he said.
“Their position on Cannon Hill means that they’re exposed to some pretty harsh elements, especially the salt air coming off of Lady Bay, so for safety reasons, these two cannons had been fenced off for some time.
“It’s important to understand though that this is not going to be a full restoration.
Pacific Material Handling sales representative Natalie Willsher, Warrnambool City Council coordinator depot operations Mark Mirtschin and RA Steel crane operator Peter Sell and with one of the cannons that has been taken away for repairs.
A condition report was completed on the artillery pieces in the precinct in 2019, Cr Herbert said, and the cost to carry out a full restoration would run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“The guns will be made safe again while being cleaned and repaired as much as practicable so they can once again be enjoyed by the community without the need to fence them off,” Cr Herbert said.
“I would like to thank Pacific Materials Handling and everyone else involved for collaborating on this project. This is the great spirit of cooperation and community mindedness that our city is known for, and it has really come to the forefront during the current pandemic.”
Pacific Materials Handling has offered to house the cannons for free while the works are carried out.
Managing director David Hetherington said it was about cleaning them up and making them safe to get back to something that looks decent.
“Our welding and metal work staff will lend a hand to carry out some of the work too,” Mr Hetherington said.
The cannons will be worked on over the coming months before being returned to Cannon Hill.
RA Steel generously transported the cannons for free.
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
