In late-2018, two large concrete pads associated with World War 2 anti-aircraft training guns were discovered during construction of the Wyndham Harbour car park. It appeared that anti-aircraft training guns had been bolted to these concrete foundations, below the asphalt.
Map of WW2 Anti-aircraft Gun Emplacements, Beach Road Werribee South. Source: Werribee South Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacement Historical Heritage Assessment - Extent Heritage Pty Ltd
Archaeological heritage is protected by the Heritage Act 2017 which is administered by Heritage Victoria. With consent from Heritage Victoria, Council engaged an archaeologist to assess the site. This process included the temporary exposure and recording of the gun emplacements, and their reburial.
View towards east of Werribee South carpark showing Beach Road (behind barriers) and the concrete pads of the two gun emplacements as exposed in January 2019. Source: Werribee South Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacement Historical Heritage Assessment - Extent Heritage Pty Ltd
The archaeologist found the relics to be of moderate local heritage significance for their social and historic value.
Though not used in combat, they were used to train Australian soldiers and were fired during many training sessions. The guns were manufactured here in Victoria at Government Ordnance Factories at Maribyrnong and Bendigo.
This site is an important location in the history of the Australian war effort. Between December 1940 and November 1941 articles and photographs of the Werribee South Anti-Aircraft Gun Emplacement site featured in newspapers across Australia. This reporting was possibly a part of Government public relations during the war to communicate about Australian training, defence and manufacturing.
“Live shells being tossed with speed and precision at Werribee (Victoria) when anti-aircraft batteries practised shooting at drogue targets towed by an R.A.A.F. plane”. Image from The Sun newspaper, 6 March 1941.
This site is significant to the military history of Victoria and Australia, as well as a physical reminder of the Werribee and Point Cook area’s role during World War 2. This site is included in the Victorian Heritage Inventory (H7822-2373) and is protected under the Heritage Act 2017.
The original location of the emplacements is recognised using line marking and signage installed to identify and commemorate the emplacements.
Crew with QF 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun. The 3.7 inch AA gun is on a static mounting. (State Library of Victoria H99.201/3197)