Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West will receive $19,950 to create an online exhibit documenting Australia’s World War One munitions history, Opposition Leader and Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten announced today.

 

Mr Shorten said the project, “Australia’s Arsenal”, would receive funding under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program and would draw on Footscray and Maribyrnong’s unique history in munitions manufacturing.

 

"Our local community made a huge contribution to the war effort in a multitude of different ways,” he said.

 

“This project is about acknowledging just one of those aspects, with munitions manufacturing playing an important role in Australia’s wartime history.”

 

Mr Shorten said the Grants Program had been established under the former Labor Government and provided up to $125,000 in funding for local electorates to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac.

 

“The Living Museum’s website will create an accessible and dynamic way for people across Australia and the world to learn more about our historic munitions industry.”

 

"The project will build on existing work undertaken by the Living Museum and source additional historic materials and photographs.”