Drawing - red ink drawn on a print showing an extension to the single track, Maribyrnong tram line to run further into the Explosives Factory. Original print from the Commonwealth of Australia, Dept of Munitions, Factory Board drawing number W-1163 titled "Explosives - Munitions Supply Laboratories Proof at Rest - Maribyrnong" and dated April 1933. Marked in red ink is a "Explosive Factory Cordite Ave - Proposed Tramway Extension shown red". Not dated, possibly early 1940's. Also has pencil markings around the terminus showing an alternative loop.In blue pencil both edges on the rear "Cordite Ave" and in pencil on rear "Copy to Mr ?? to file"trams, tramways, footscray, maribyrnong, new tramway, explosives factory

Printed copies of a digital copies of Instructions issued by the MMTB regarding World War 2 notices to crews. .1 - Notice C4608 - Destination Signs on Munitions Factory Extras - dated 24/2/1942 to Essendon, Footscray and Central Bus Garage crews - when the various signs and route number letters were to be used on Explosives Factory, Ordnance Factory and Ammunition Factory to be shown on trams. .2 - Notice C4551 - "Running to and from Explosives and Ordinance factories - Instructions regarding destination signs to be shown for trams from Brunswick, Malvern, Glenhuntly and Hanna St depots.trams, tramways, world war 2, footscray, destination roll, maribyrnong, west maribyrnong, explosives factory, ordnance factory, ammunition factory

This 2 foot 6 inch (762mm) gauge wagon was used for carrying explosives and was used with the Greenbat Battery loco. It was donated to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway on long term loan in 2013 along with a large quantity of narrow gauge trollies and light rail from Orica’s now closed munitions factory in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory Orica Deer Park in Melbourne’s west has been used since circa 1875 for various forms of manufacturing and storage of chemicals. Although the site is bounded by Ballarat Road, Station Street, Tilburn Road and the Western Ring Road, the current entry point for industrial operations is situated at Gate 6 of Tilburn Road. Operations include: • a specialty chemicals facility producing products for mining services operations • quarry services • other chemical manufacture activities. The Deer Park factory complex The factory complex is of historical significance for the major role it played in Australia's manufacturing and mining industries through the development of progressively more efficient and safer explosives. It also contributed to wartime production in ammunition, initiators and the development of synthetic ammonia production and construction of the Defence Explosives Annexe No 5 (later the Albion Explosives Factory) during World War Two. The factory complex is also of technical significance for the unusual and specialised design of many of the buildings and structures, both in the layout of the works and the individual design of buildings. Blast protection and safety measures such as mounds around the buildings, 'cleanways' and buffer zones between production areas were employed extensively. A characteristic of many production buildings was the elimination of cavities where explosive compounds could lodge. The combination of concrete barriers and light-weight construction was designed to direct explosion debris away from operators or other buildings. The narrow gauge tramway, which ran through the explosives section, is a rare survivor of nineteenth century materials-handling methods. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Wagon for carrying Explosives at the Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory, Deer park, Victoria, Australia Wagon for carrying explosives made from Timber and steelwagon for carrying explosives, puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, orica - deer park munitions factory, explosives wagon

Greenbat Battery Loco Built by Greenwood & Batley Ltd Builders No. 420363/2 This Greenbat Battery Loco has been loaned to the Museum by the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, who had acquired it in 2013 along with a large quantity of narrow gauge trollies and light rail from Orica’s now closed munitions factory in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The trolley on display was one of two in use from the 1970s. Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory Orica Deer Park in Melbourne’s west has been used since circa 1875 for various forms of manufacturing and storage of chemicals. Although the site is bounded by Ballarat Road, Station Street, Tilburn Road and the Western Ring Road, the current entry point for industrial operations is situated at Gate 6 off Tilburn Road. Operations include: • a specialty chemicals facility producing products for mining services operations • quarry services • other chemical manufacture activities. The Deer Park factory complex is of historical significance as the location of the first plant for the manufacture of high explosives in Australia and has been, for its entire history, the most important, if not only, commercial manufacturer of high explosives in Australia. It commenced operation under the importer Jones Scott and Co, and then the Australian Lithofracteur Company (Krebs Patent), a rival to Nobel's dynamite patent. The factory was producing nitro-glycerine based explosives in Australia only a couple of years after Nobel's Ardeer factory began operating in Scotland. The explosives factories complex is of historical significance for the association with the Australian Lithofracteur Company, Australian Explosives and Chemicals, the Nobel company and later ICIANZ, which grew to become one of the largest explosives, chemical and plastics manufacturers in Australia. It was the pioneer of the industry and retained its dominance through monopolistic practices, taking over most of its competitors in the Australasian region. Substantial parts of the pre-Second World War layout of the site remain which, with a number of significant buildings dating back to the 1920s and '30s, indicate past and present processes of manufacturing, the necessary safety measures required and the integrated nature of the explosives and chemical industry. The narrow gauge tramway, which ran through the explosives section, was a rare survivor of nineteenth century materials-handling methods into the 21st Century. Greenwood & Batley were a large engineering manufacturer with a wide range of products, including armaments, electrical engineering, and printing and milling machinery. They also produced a range of battery-electric railway locomotives under the brand name Greenbat. The works was in Armley, Leeds, UK. Greenbat was the trade name for the railway locomotives built by Greenwood & Batley. The company specialised in electric locomotives, particularly battery-powered types for use in mines and other hazardous environments. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Battery Locomotive - Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory - Deep park, Victoria, Australia Battery Locomotive - made of iron puffing billy, greenbat battery loco, battery locomotive, industrial narrow gauge railway, orica - deer park munitions factory

The Tottenham Yard began as a modest goods yard supporting local industries in Braybrook, Tottenham, and West Footscray, the Sunshine industrial belt and the nearby munitions and explosives factories Key features of the early yard included a small number of sidings, a goods shed, a basic loading / unloading facilities and a connection to the Tottenham triangle (Sunshine–Footscray–North Melbourne junction). As the yard expanded with additional siding and larger marshalling areas, there was a requirement to maintain the Ashley Street North – South access route for private and commercial travel. The work involved to solve this problem was to elevate the railway yard and place Ashley Street through a tunnel. This railway underpass for many years was simply known as the Ashley Street Tunnel. By the 1970s, the Tottenham Yard had become one of the largest freight yards in Victoria, second only to Dynon. In the 1982, the level crossing gates at the southern end of tunnel were removed, the tunnel extended southwards and the former Tottenham Railway Station was replaced with an elevated one above the new tunnel extension. During these works the road surface level was lowered to allow for higher trucks to pass through. At this point of time, the reference to tunnel was replaced with underpass. During the 1990’s and 2000’s, there was a decline in the use of the Tottenham Yard and many sidings were removed, shorten, converted to storage or left unused. Today the yard is used for wagon storage, crew changes, light shunting and providing access to the Tottenham triangle and Sunshine corridor.These photographs were taken shortly after the tunnel was completed.5335.01 - Ashley Street Railway Underpass Looking North Photo 01.jpg 5335.02 - Ashley Street Railway Underpass Looking South Photo 02.jpgashley street, railway line, tottenham

Photocopy of Photograph Maribyrnong Munitions Factory 1938|Newspaper article Brimbank Messenger 29 October 2002 Our bond with the Maltese|Newspaper article The Herald Friday 24 February 1989 Yes Melbourne does have another river|Typed report History of Maribyrnong Steering Committee Reports|Typed notes of Steering Committee History of Maribyrnong Meeting held 7 June 1989|Typed notes 27 April 1989 History of Maribyrnong Steering Committtee Meeting|Typed notes of Steering Committee 5 April 1989|Typed notes of Steering Committee 1 March 1989|Typed notes of Steering Committee 11 January 1989|Typed notes 23 August 1988 Local History|Typed notes of Steering Committee 28 Febuary 1989|Typed report 17 November 1988 A History of Maribyrnong|Extract First Contacts I Primi Contenti|Extract Chapter 2 Maribyrnong on the map|Typed Report Migrant impact The early settlement of Maribyrnong|Photocopy of photographs Your family's photos are Maribyrnong's heritage|Typed report Maribyrnong A pictorial history|Typed report Maribyrnong History Outline|Typed report A History of Maribyrnong General Brief for the Author|Handwritten notes Research for Sunshine Council Project|Letter 18 August 1988 The History Institute|Typed report Copyright|Newspaper article Star 7 December 2004 Council moves to avert disaster|Newspaper article Brimbank Messenger 4 July 2000 Platypus potential|Newspaper article |Advocate 7 July 1993 New river bridge|Letter to Waterways and Parks division Metropolitan Parks 11 April 1985 Potential uses of Bluestone buildings|Typed Memorandum 21 January 1985 History of the Site of the Marie Hill Centre|Typed report The Ford Maribyrnong River|Typed letter from Legislative Council 6 January 1982 regarded rezoning|Extract of Poem The Haunted Castle at Maribyrnong by Martha Coxhead|Handwritten note Evan Crick Hotel dates|Brochure Historic Parkland Van Ness Avenue Sunshine|Typed notes Maribyrnong River Valley Braybrook February 1992|Typed letter 1 June 1983 Humes Site from Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works|Typed l etter 31 May 1982 from Historic Buildings Preservation Council re the fomer Melbourne Meat Preserving Company buildings and former Humes Pipes Site Van Ness Avenue Maribyrnong|Flyer 3 February 1803 Charles Grimes 175th Anniversary 5 February 1978|Newspaper articles Melbourne must not forget its other river|Newspaper article Sunshine Advocatge 24 February 1982 Hearing on Humes rezoning|Newspaper article Public Meeting on Future Development Plans for the former Humes site|Huge Banner Development Plan for Maribyrnong River|Newspaper article Advocate 22 February 2000 Greedy developers|Newspaper article Advocate 17 April 1996 River estate plan set for amendment|Newspaper article Advocate 8 February 2000 Bridging concern|Newspaper article Western Times 1 March 2000 Developers plan riles river residents|Newspaper article Advocate 20 February 1974 Maribyrnong a paradise|Newspaper article Messenger 15 February 2000 Plan rushed residents|Newspaper article Advocate 1 June 1983 Get tough policy on Valley|Newspaper article The Herald 11 December 1981 A community is up in arms over a threat to Victoria's heritage The battle over the bluestone. The Melbourne Meat Preserving Works|Typed report Historic Workplace Humes Site Van Ness Avenue Maribyrnong|Typed letter 1 December 1967 Explosives Factory Maribyrnong|Typed report Racing colours Rose and Black|Newspaper article The Age 28 April 1982 The western maze|Typed Minutes 4 July 1983 Meeting of the Lower Maribyrnong Conservation Group|Typed Constitution of the Lower Maribyrnong Valley Conservation Group|Typed Submission 29 April 1982 To City of Sunshine for Historic buildings preservation council classifications sub committee|Typed Minutes of Lower Maribyrnong Valley Conservation Group 26 August 1982|Typed Application for Membership form Lower Maribyrnong Valley Conservation Group|Typed Submission for a Financial Grant to the Charles Grimes 175th Anniversary Re enactment Committee|Typed Annual General Meeting 5 July 1984 Lower Maribyrnong Valley Conservation Group|Typed letter 30 July 1980 Humes Site|Typed Proposal Bluestone building|Typed Letter from University of Melbourne 11 December 1980 Meat Preserving companys works|Brochure Pipemakers Park|Typed notes Elizabeth McKinnon Mosaic mural artist|Newspaper article Sunshine Advocate 10 November 1993 Heritage site rediscovered|Newspaper article The Age 7 September 1996 Dreamtime in an industrial garden|Newspaper article The Western Times 6 December 1989 The peoples historiian|Typed report The Saltwater River Powder Magazine Jacks Magazine|Typed letter from Henry Laskowski Sunshine City Council Engineer / Planner to Gwen Goedecke Re: Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme Amendment No 157 Maribyrnong Valley 26th November 1981|Newspaper article The Advocate 13th September Council to buy vital river land|Newspaper article The Age 4th September 1978 Tight controls urged over Maribyrnong|Newspaper article The Age 27th April 1988 Metropolitan Region Planning Scheme Amendment RL11|Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works M.M.B.W. Concept plan for Maribyrnong River Development Media Release 25th January 1984|City of Sunshine The Maribyrnong River Ideas for the River Valley|Newspaper Article The Advocate 14 March 1979 River Valley Land Purchasemaribyrnong river, maribyrnong valley

These shell cases were donated along with other items from the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The symbol of the broad arrow on the base of the shell case signifies that it was owned by the Australian Army. The dates of the shell cases - 1940 and 1941 - link the shell cases with World War II. Both cases' headstamps have "N", which could indicate that they were made for use by the Navy. Shell Case 1298.01: The headstamp code on the label "MEC" means that it was made by the Explosives Factory Maribyrnong - Cordite Annexe, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, which made cordite propellant for cartridges and shells. Shell Case 1298.02: The headstamp "MF" indicates it was made by the Small Arms Manufacturing Factory in Footscray, Melbourne, and the stamped year was 1941. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History): - The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. Its symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today, there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000, the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres, such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943, a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. These shell cases are significant for their relationship with the Australian Army in general and in particular with the defence of Australia during World War II. The may have also been made for the Navy. Their significance is increased by their association with the Williamstown Missions To Seamen, which donated them to Flagstaff Hill in 1979, an organisation that has supported seafarers for many years.Shell case: two brass 4" rimmed shell cases with headstamps (inscriptions) on the base plate around the firing pin three holes evenly spaced around the centre of the base. A label is attached to one shell. The shell cases are part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. Shell Case 1298.01 - Printed stamp “P.2BT” “M.E.C.111” “I.E. 10/43”. Stamped into base “N”, “1940” “W [within lozenge]”, “S” symbol [Australian Government Arrow] “360“ . Around firing pin “MF I 422” “ME” “II” “4 I N” “5-“ ”MF [within rectangle]” “f” “B – [within circle]”, Shell Case 1298.02 - headstamp “N 1941 MF / F symbol [square box] LOT 679”, [in oval] 101 / 4 / S /U2) M GUNS 7 “, symbol [Australian Government Arrow], Stencil [in red circle] “B J”, symbol [Diamond with line top to bottom] Stamped in red ink “R5G 11 1 2B7”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, munitions, shell case, ammunition 1940, ammunition 1941, firearms, cannon, australian government, borad arrow, australian army, wwii, world war 2, australian defence, australian ordinance, small arms manufacturing factory, explosives factory maribyrnong, cordite, world war ii, ww2, 1940, 1941, defence, n headstamp, footscray

Albion No. 5 Explosives Factory was one of Australia’s major WWII munitions sites, built rapidly from 1939–40 in Deer Park and operated by ICIANZ for the Commonwealth. It produced propellants, explosives and later commercial fertilisers. Each building on the site was given an identification number (Note: Over a period of time, some of the building numbers did change) The first numerical of the building number represented the area it as location in. 1 - Administration & Service Area 2 - Propellant Area 3 - Acid Area 4 - T.N.T. Area 5 - Armament Chemicals Area 6 - Propellant Powder Area 7 - Fused Powder Area 8 - R.D.X. Area 9 - Synthetic Ammonia AreaThere were over 400 buildings in the Albion Explosive Factory complex and the only remaining building on the site is building No 745, the Mill House (T.R.F. Powder) located in the former Fused Powder Area. The building is heritage listed and owned by the Brimbank City Council. It is now known as the Black Powder Mill.Albion Explosive Factory Building Numbers (No 5 Explosive Factory)albion no 5 explosive factory, albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

The image compilation provides a historical record of old landmarks in the Sunshine area, and also provides images of what the sites look like in recent times.Remember When Sunshine Landmarkssunshine hospital, civic halls, churches, fire brigade, schools, hotels, harvester works, kororoit creek, swimming pools, sportes grounds, john darling flour mill, explosives and munitions factories

The Albion Explosives Factory was a major WWII-era munitions site in Sunshine, Victoria, operating from 1939 to 1986. Its legacy includes the Black Powder Mill, now a heritage landmark. War Time History - Established in 1939–40 in response to the looming threat of war in Europe. - Located in North Albion, opposite the ICIANZ chemical plant, which also helped design and operate the facility. - Initially known as Munitions Annexe No. 5, it became the Albion Explosives Factory, producing cordite, TNT, nitroglycerine, nitric acid, and other propellants for small arms and artillery. - By 1942–45, it was one of Australia’s three primary military explosives factories, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the war effort. Post War Time History - Continued production of explosives and fertilizers for commercial use after WWII. - Expanded in 1947–49 with the addition of the RDX plant north of Furlong Road. - Introduced new technologies like synthetic ammonia, DNT, and continuous TNT production through the 1950s–60s. Closure and Environmental Remediation - Closed in 1986, followed by extensive decontamination and cleanup. - The site was heavily contaminated with TNT, DNT, nitrates, ammonia, and metals, requiring years of environmental audits and remediation. - Eventually redeveloped into a housing estate and shopping complex, transforming the industrial site into a suburban community. A Blast from the Past Albion Explosive Factoryalbion explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

The Albion Explosives Factory was a major WWII-era munitions site in Sunshine, Victoria, operating from 1939 to 1986. Its legacy includes the Black Powder Mill, now a heritage landmark. War Time History - Established in 1939–40 in response to the looming threat of war in Europe. - Located in North Albion, opposite the ICIANZ chemical plant, which also helped design and operate the facility. - Initially known as Munitions Annexe No. 5, it became the Albion Explosives Factory, producing cordite, TNT, nitroglycerine, nitric acid, and other propellants for small arms and artillery. - By 1942–45, it was one of Australia’s three primary military explosives factories, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the war effort. Post War Time History - Continued production of explosives and fertilizers for commercial use after WWII. - Expanded in 1947–49 with the addition of the RDX plant north of Furlong Road. - Introduced new technologies like synthetic ammonia, DNT, and continuous TNT production through the 1950s–60s. Closure and Environmental Remediation - Closed in 1986, followed by extensive decontamination and cleanup. - The site was heavily contaminated with TNT, DNT, nitrates, ammonia, and metals, requiring years of environmental audits and remediation. - Eventually redeveloped into a housing estate and shopping complex, transforming the industrial site into a suburban community. A Blast from the Past Albion Explosive Factoryalbion explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

After European settlement in the mid 1850s, the North Albion site was being used as grassland for farming and grazing. In the late 1930's, the threat of another world war in Europe was developing and the Australian Government decided it needed to increase and to be more independent in the manufacturing of munitions and explosives. The Albion site was chosen opposite the existing commercial ICI ANZ factory. ICI ANZ was chosen to design, construct and operate the new facilities. In 1940 the factory first began production of propellants for small arms and artillery that were required by the military forces during WW2. After the end of the WW2 the plant continued producing explosives and fertilizers for commercial use. The site was closed down in 1986, and the site went through an extensive decontamination and cleanup before being redeveloped into a housing estate with a shopping complex located in its center. The Black Powder Mill, built in 1942 is the only remaining building from the Albion explosives Factory. Noel Tozer is a former President of the Friends of the Black powder Mill. Sunshine and District Historical Society A.G.M. 18/7/2003 Chairman Norman Carlton Speaker Noel Tozer History of Albion Explosives Factorynoel tozer, albion explosive factory

The Black Powder Mill in Deer Park (Cairnlea) is the only surviving building of Australia’s former gunpowder manufacturing industry, built in 1942 as part of the Albion Explosives Factory. It is heritage-listed and remains a rare reminder of Melbourne’s munitions history. The mill was saved by a group of community members which ultimately formed the Friends of the Black Powder Mill. This group has subsequently been taken over by the Sunshine & District Historical Society. On limited occasions the mill is open to the public.Opening Ceremony The Black Powder Mill Tuesday 9th December 2003the black powder mill, deer park explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

The Albion Explosives Factory was a major WWII-era munitions site in Sunshine, Victoria, operating from 1939 to 1986. Its legacy includes the Black Powder Mill, now a heritage landmark. War Time History - Established in 1939–40 in response to the looming threat of war in Europe. - Located in North Albion, opposite the ICIANZ chemical plant, which also helped design and operate the facility. - Initially known as Munitions Annexe No. 5, it became the Albion Explosives Factory, producing cordite, TNT, nitroglycerine, nitric acid, and other propellants for small arms and artillery. - By 1942–45, it was one of Australia’s three primary military explosives factories, employing thousands and contributing significantly to the war effort. Post War Time History - Continued production of explosives and fertilizers for commercial use after WWII. - Expanded in 1947–49 with the addition of the RDX plant north of Furlong Road. - Introduced new technologies like synthetic ammonia, DNT, and continuous TNT production through the 1950s–60s. Closure and Environmental Remediation - Closed in 1986, followed by extensive decontamination and cleanup. - The site was heavily contaminated with TNT, DNT, nitrates, ammonia, and metals, requiring years of environmental audits and remediation. - Eventually redeveloped into a housing estate and shopping complex, transforming the industrial site into a suburban community. A Blast from the Past Albion Explosive Factoryalbion explosive factory, deer park, cairnlea

Jack's Magazine located in Magazine Way, Maribyrnong was constructed between 1876 to 1878 by contractor George Cornwell, under the Victorian Public Works Department and architect William Wardell. At this time, it was the largest magazine complex ever built in Victoria. The purposes of the magazines were for safe storage of imported gunpowder for the colony of Victoria. Maribyrnong was originally part of the former Shire of Braybrook and later the City of Sunshine. However, in 1994, Victoria underwent council amalgamations, which resulted in Braybrook being incorporated into the City of Maribyrnong. The suburb of Maribyrnong continues to attract considerable attention from the residents of City of Brimbank, particularly its historical features, the old buildings and distinctive streetscapes that characterise the area.Jack’s Magazine is one of Victoria’s most important surviving explosives storage complexes, built in 1878 and used for more than a century to store gunpowder and later munitions for the nearby ammunition factories. Today it stands as a remarkably intact industrial heritage site on the Maribyrnong River.5603.01 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 01.JPG 5603.02 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 02.JPG 5603.03 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 03.JPG 5603.04 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 04.JPG 5603.05 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 05.JPG 5603.06 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 06.JPG 5603.07 - Jack's Magazine - Melbourne Skyline 2025 Photo 07.JPG 5603.08 - Jack's Magazine - Melbourne Skyline 2025 Photo 08.JPGjacks magazine, magazine way, maribyrnong, maribyrnong river, salt water river

The Albion Explosives Factory began as Commonwealth Defence Explosives Annexe No. 5, constructed rapidly in 1939–1940 as part of Australia’s WWII munitions expansion. It was built adjacent to the long‑established Nobel / ICI explosives works at Deer Park and produced TNT, nitroglycerine, cordite, RDX, DNT, and related explosive compounds. This plant manufactured Research Department Explosive (RDX), a nitrogen‑rich high explosive used in military munitions, which is far more powerful than TNT, yet relatively stable to store and transport. It is not a consumer or industrial product and sits firmly in the defence materials category.This series of time elapsed photographs records the demolition of the Northern RDX Acid Plant chimney by controlled demolition by explosive which safely brought the chimney down by making it to fall to one side. The history of the Albion Explosive Factory is tightly connected to the evolution of the Deer Park explosives precinct and the wider ICI industrial township.Chimney Blown Up Explosive Factory Deer Park 341.1albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park, ici