Historical information

These items are from the Warrnambool Woollen Mill and relate to the fire protection services operating at the factory in the late 20th century. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill was commenced as a local public company and opened in 1910 in South Warrnambool with the first manager, John Bennett. During World War Two there were 700 employees at the mill due to wartime demand. In 1958 the factory became the first in Australia to manufacture electric blankets. In 1968 the mill was purchased by the Dunlop company and in 1982 Dunlop sold out to Onkaparinga Woollen Company which was taken over by Macquarie Worsteds and became known as Warrnambool Textiles. When Macquarie Worsteds ceased operations in Warrnambool the Smith Family managed the factory on behalf of the owners, the Warrnambool City Council. In 2000 the Woollen Mill closed and the site has been sold and developed as a housing estate.

Significance

These items are of minor interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill and will be added to the Woollen Mill collection in the Historical Society archives.

Physical description

.1 A sheet of white paper showing a sketch plan in black of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill with three areas coloured pink, yellow and blue
.2 the same as .1 except that there are no shaded areas.
.3 A sheet of lightweight card with black and yellow printing and a diagram of a machine

Inscriptions & markings

Fire Plan For Insurance Purposes
Atlas Automatic Fire Services Pty Ltd