A Browning machine gun and 40mm Bofor shells on display at the exhibition.
Camera IconA Browning machine gun and 40mm Bofor shells on display at the exhibition. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

When war came home

Vanessa SchmittWeekend Kwinana Courier

South Metropolitan Region MLC Phil Edman encourages members of the community to visit the Restoring Our History at Point Peron exhibition.

“People were afraid of Australia being invaded following the attacks on Darwin in 1942,” he said.

“The threat of war was right on our doorstep.

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“Men and women worked 24/7, watching for enemy planes and ships, conducting test shoots and managing vital information for the Allies.

“We also had the largest secret submarine base located at Fremantle.”

The Restoring Our History at Point Peron exhibition will display artefacts including anti-aircraft shells, hand grenades, a Browning machine gun and a rare rangefinder, all equipment used on the coastal batteries that protected the nation during this volatile time.

“Some of this equipment was huge, such as the 60-inch (152cm) searchlights that were used to enable the guns to be fired at night,” Mr Edman said.

For more details visit www.pprp.com.au.

WHAT: Restoring Our History at Point Peron exhibition WHERE: Gary Holland Community Centre, 19 Kent Street, Rockingham WHEN: 9am to 5pm from March 19 to 24. ENTRY: free