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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village will fire both of their cannons together for the first time in a decade on Easter Saturday.
Flagstaff Hill is home to two 80 pound Rifle Muzzle Loader (RML) guns, believed to be the only two operational 80 pound RML guns in one location in the southern hemisphere.
The last time both of these guns were fired together was in 2015 before dawn to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.
One of the guns, referred to as “Number 2 Gun” was in need of repairs to the rail system (also known as a racer) that allows the gun to be aimed and to safely recoil when fired.
Flagstaff Hill successfully applied for a grant via the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Saluting Their Service Commemorations Program to restore the racer of Gun Number 2.
The work was completed by a local engineer who restored the gun to operational order.
Flagstaff Hill Garrison Leader Stephen Ivey said that he was looking forward to seeing, and hearing, both guns in action on Saturday.
“We stopped using Gun Number 2 because it was only sitting on two wheels, so it was deemed to be no longer safe to operate,” he said.
“We needed to stabilise the gun so it was fit to continue operation. So we were able to get a grant in 2025 to have those works completed.
“Now we can fire both guns safely.
“This is really the Council looking after Warrnambool’s heritage.
“Firings are always popular, but with two guns firing, I would say this should be twice as popular. It’s not to be missed.”
Entry is free for Warrnambool City Council residents via the Local Ambassador Program. General admission applies for other guests.
The cannon firing at 2.30pm will help launch a bumper school holiday program at Flagstaff Hill. Other activities on Easter Saturday include the Easter Bunny Trail scavenger hunt (with a sweet reward at the end) and a calligraphy session in the Common School.
Other highlights over the holidays include children’s woodworking with the Warrnambool Men’s Shed Woodworkers, cooking sessions, craft activities, garrison drills and dress-ups, as well as Penguin Protectors Warrnambool experiences, where you can learn about the penguin colony on Middle Island and meet a Maremma dog.
For more information visit www.flagstaffhill.com.