NEWSLETTER NO. 168. 1-11-1998. The next General Meeting of the Williamstown Historical Society will take place on Thursday, 26th November, at 8pm., at our Meeting Room, Electra Street, Williamstown. As this is our last Meeting of the year, your Committee will provide the supper and refreshments, so do come along and enjoy yourselves. Our Guest Speaker for that night is Mr. Peter Haffenden, the Director of the Living Museum of the West. Peter will talk to us about how the Internet can - help our Museum and take us to the new millenium. He will also talk about the Living Museum of the West, which is a most interesting place to visit. What a wonderful speaker we had with our last Guest Speaker at our last Meeting. Elizabeth certainly knew how to entrance her audience with tales of her travels on the Russian Tall Ships. She certainly had us all in awe when she was climbing on the rigging and seemed so unafraid of any danger. Her slides were also magnificent. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Janet Long and I attended a Reception for visiting Museum delegates from around the world. Apart from speaking to a Russian girl who knew no English, Janet and I seemed to be able to enjoy the evening. The highlight of the occasion was the presentation to three Museums of Accreditation. Port Albert was the only one in a similar position to our Museum, and they were very thrilled to be Accredited. As you know we are now in the MAP System of Accreditation and are looking towards the day when we are fully Accredited. As a matter of fact the Museum is sending down one of their people this month, so here's hoping. George and I have been invited to attend Altona's Historical Society's Christmas Party this month. We have also been involved with the Council in "City Pride", and the judge, Des Clark, attended a couple of weeks ago. Our entry was for the Heritage Walks. Perhaps by the time this Newsletter is printed we will know whether we gained a prize in City Pride. I just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and may the New Year bring lots of joy to you. JOAN RIDLEY. 3 Clarke Street Williamstown VIC 3016 FORT GELLIBRAND RESTORATION SOCIETY. Frank Colyer, President of the above Society, has written to our society informing us that the restoration of Fort Gellibrand is now 99% complete. Frank, and his Executive Commit-tee are holding an Open Day an Sunday, 29th November, between 10.30am. & 3pm., and we are all invited to inspect the.six years of restoration work carried out by the members of the Fort Gellibrand Restoration Committee. At 11.30am. the restored Fort will be dedicated. Just prior to that ceremony, a re-enactment team will fire one of the giant Armstrong guns which were imported in 1868 for the defence of Melbourne. In 1992 a move by the Lions Club of Williamstown to save the Fort gathered momentum. Point Gellibrand Rotary Club joined the crusade, as did many people and groups in Williamstown and beyond - part of the great constituency that cherishes Australia's Heritage treasures. In October 1992 a public meeting at the Fort created the Fort Gellibrand Restoration Society, with more than 100 members. Later, the Society was commissioned to execute the project, backed by the highest Federal and State Heritage listings. The immediate task was to restore the gun emplacements, earthworks, parapets, drains, magazines and infantry revetments, which constituted Fort Gellibrand, as it developed over the period 1860-70-80-90. Financial supporters included-the Australian Heritage Commission ($45,000), City of Williamstown ($12,500), Victorian Department of Environment ($5,000), the Australian Army ($6000), Williamstown Lions Club ($2500), Point Gellibrand Rotary (cumulative total: $12,500) Before the project was halfway to completion, most of- these funds were exhausted. Fortunately, at this point, the Defence Department, through its Heritage funding, assumed a commitment, enabling work to proceed to completion. Total cost is in the area of $150,000, reflecting amazingly good value for money. Today, these precious relics of Victorian history are secured for another century at least. CONGRATULATIONS to Frank Colyer and his Committee which includes our Cliff Gibson and Nola and Alan Bardin, for a job well done inpreserving one of Australia's heritage treasures. This writer has heard the well told story that when the Batteries were disbanded towards the end of the last century, a "disappearing gun' was buried near its emplacements. No written account of this happening has been uncovered, so the story could be one of the many myths that exists about our historic seaport. However records do tell that a disappearing gun was installed within the Light House Battery which was situated in front of the Time Ball Tower, where the semi-circled car park is today. We do know that the area surrounding the' Time Ball Tower has been raised considerably, so perhaps somewhere under that road or car park may- be the 'disappearing gun' that disappeared. And well may you ask "Whatever is a 'disappearing gun' . The answer to your query, dear Reader, can be found in the latest publication of 'THIS ENGLAND' , which tells the story of a piece of last century's cannon. The article reads as follows: DISAPPEARING GUN MAKES AN REAPPEARANCE. And so it would appear that we are not the only community interested in restoring Forts: The people of Plymoath in Devon sleep soundly in their beds in the knowledge that the city¼s 130 year old Crownhill Fort is once more armed with the formidible Moncrieff Disappearing Gun. It took three days earlier this year to hoist the massive full-size replica- weighing 18 tons with its carriage - on to the ramparts, after which, to celebrate it was loosed off in public for the first time. Clearly the gun - the only working example to be seen anywhere in the world- is far from invisible. The original was labelled "disappearing" by its Victorian inventor, Captain Moncrieff of the Edinburgh Military Artillery, to describe the way his ingenious design protected its crew from enemy fire. On discharge the recoil forced the gun downwards into a deep pit while at the same time hoisting a counter-balance. With re-loading executed in comparative safety, the weight was released to allow the gun to rise back into position. Crownhill received-its first Moncrieffs in 1885, but it is now more than a century since they have been seen there, with the last operational guns in England having been dismantled by 1900. The creation of the replica, built at the Irons Bros. Foundry in Wadebridge Cornwall, is part of a 347,000 pounds Landmark Trust scheme, largely financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to inject fresh interest into Crownhill Fort and add to its educational value". HONOUR TO OUR NUSHIP ARUNTA. On Sunday, llth October, the soon to be Commissionecl HMAS Arunta II, was granted the Freedom of Entry to our City. The-first Freedom of Entry to our City took place on the 27th November, 1971, and for the record, it was only the second time that it had been enacted in Australia. Melbourne jumped the gun and gave the honour to the RAN before us, however the Williamstown City Council was the first to come up with the idea when it resolved to grant that honour six months previously. Win Stewart, Society Secretary at that time, recorded the event and the following is a copy of her report His Worship the Mayor, Cr. M.J. Robertson, JP., on behalf of the Williamstown City Council and the Citizens of the Municipality of Williamstown extended. a warm welcome to everyone present at what will be a memorable occasion in the history of Williamstown. Granting of "Freedom of Entry to enter a City" is an honour not lightly bestowed; in fact Williamstown has never granted this privilege to any of the Armed Forces or to any Unit of those Services. However, that rare privilege was being granted that day to the Royal Australian Navy which has.been associated with this City since its establishment, as were its forerunners, the Commonwealth Naval Forces and the Victorian Navy. It is true to say that Williamstown was the cradle of the Navy and the local Depot was the first to bear the title of - HMAS CERBERUS. We are proud of, the Royal Australian Navy, its traditions and deeds, both in times of peace and war, and it is therefore fitting that the Navy should receive the distinction and privilege of Freedom of Entry to this City on all ceremonial occasions. The Town Clerk and Manager Mr. J.E. Morley, then read the wording of the Freedom Scroll, and presented it to the Naval Officer in charge, Commodore D.H.D. Smythe, R.A.N. The Scroll is treated in the traditional style of illuminating in design and colour. It incorporates the insignia of the Corporation of the City of Williamstown and the official badge of the Royal Australian Navy, and features the Navy's major Battle Honours. At a meeting of the Council of the City of Williamstown held on 31st May, 1971, with the Mayor Cr. J.M. Byron, JP. , in the chair, it was moved by Cr. H.B. Whittaker, JP., and seconded by Cr. E.G. Smith, JP., that the Council in recognition of a long and close association with the City of Williamstown and with outstanding achievements in times of both peace and war confer on the Royal Australian Navy the distinction and privilege of Freedom of Entry to the City of Williamstown. In reply, Commodore D.H.D. Smythe acknowledged with great pleasure on behalf of the Officers, Sailors and Wrans of the Royal Australian Navy this unique honour which the City of Williamstown had conferred on the Navy The Chief of the Naval Staff asked that the Commodore express the deep appreciation of the Naval Board that this privilege had been granted; Commodore Smythe also expressed the Navy's deep appreciation of the Trust bestowed upon.them in the granting of Freedom of Entry to the City of Williamstown, and the Privilege was then exercised. The Mayor (Cr. M.J.Robertson) signed the Freedom Scroll followed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (Vice-Admiral R.I. Peek. CB, CBE. OSC) then the Queen's Colour was marched in, followed by a Salute by the Royal Australian Navy. Following a musical display by the R. A.N. Band, a large Naval party was then ordered to advance. A Council Officer (Mr. Trevor Sloan) as Chief Marshal challenged, saying "Halt, Who goes there?" Commodore D. Smythe replied: "The Royal Australian Navy exercising its right and privilege to pass through the City of Williamstown with swords drawn, bayonets fixed. drums beating, bands playing and Colours flying." The City Marshal required proof and the Scroll was brought for his perusal. He then acknowledged the right and privilege of the Royal Australian Navy to pass through the City and this they did in fine Navy style. More than 500 Navy personnel - Sailors and Wrans and the R.A.N. Band took Part in the Ceremony. Since that occasion many Units of our three servites have been so honoured in all parts of Australia. HOWARD WHITTAKER.