Maribyrnong Explosives Factory (Part 1)

[@andrewmcphee8965]

It's obvious that you put so much work into this video, very interesting and thank you Philip!

[@geoffbarratt2732]

I went there many times when I worked for The Australian Archives in the 80s and 90s collecting their records. I was astounded by the size of the place. it was run down and virtually empty except for a few buildings still operating. I Haven't thought of that place in many years. cheers

[@theozwolf]

Ahhh it was interesting to see this. I worked at MRL there during the early nineties and was a fascinating place to work. Had a bike to get around the place it was large. And I understand your right the reason redevelopment has taken so long is it’s going to cost a fortune to decontaminate the place.

[@theozwolf]

Oh and if there is asbestos in the roofs please don’t tell me. (Spent way too much of my time chasing cables in the roof space. )

[@philipmallis]

Very interesting, I think I saw an old bike lying on a side of a building while I was nearby. Thanks for sharing!

[@servantofgod5642]

i bet the steel foundry known as Extruded Metals was located on Hamstead Road to accommodate the ammo joints needs.

[@drhandle4498]

@@philipmallis The explosives group used bikes to get to the detonations bunker, aka the Boom Room, beause it was aaaaaaaaaall the way over there, away from the rest of the site. Every so often, something would go boom a bit boomier than was expected, and then there would be this sudden stream of scientists, pedalling away, lab coats flapping, back towards the main site. It used to look like a stream of ants after someone poured the kettle into their nest.

[@LeahStredz]

I moved to this area a few years back. Apparently (according to my Mum) my Great Grandma used to work there at the gates to the facility, I guess checking people's papers and letting them in and out. Never even knew that when I moved here so that was pretty cool. Great to learn about the history of the place, thank you!

[@xr6lad]

Shouldn’t have even tried to redevelop the place. When I see things like that I’m reminded how backwards we are. Such a huge parcel of land so close to a city heading towards 6 million+ should have ALL become a park . We can build homes on any brownfield site but to spend the money decontaminating it just to build and/or find such a massive single piece of land in such an urban context is rare.

[@Kirbee_buzz]

I do rowing on the Maribyrnong river and I’ve always been fascinated by that place Thank you for giving me all the details

[@hypercomms2001]

Fascinating, and thank you. I remember visiting what was then the materials research laboratory in the early part of the 1990s, as I used to sell electronic test equipment. It was an absolutely fascinating place. I remember once visiting a client in his office about a datalogger, and hearing them testing machine guns in an internal test range nearby. My client blithely ignored it, as though it was office room chatter... just another day at the office... I even remember seeing them test the Stirling engine that was proposed for the Collins Class submarine.... The MRL in Maribyrnong was an amazing place. I have sad memories that it is going, but such is life. I do hope however that they find a way to extend that tramline out the the western suburbs as they are in desperate need for a wide range of public transport options.

[@calliphoridaelucilia7679]

hear hear. That road is atrocious as a pedestrian. The library and learning centre up the hill is only serviced by buses, which are frequently late.

[@deesalkelly3069]

loving your videos - I worked as a security guard - Alef Nationwide - 30+ years ago - mainly at the Ordnance Factory....down the back was APS dog squad in the old blue stone buildings - I donated a dog to em (didnt know it at the time) called mate to a guard Sue??? - They ended up in Tasmania (Alan Bonds Cannons were milled in one of the buildings)

[@calliphoridaelucilia7679]

I've always wondered, but never bothered to look up what the history of this place is, so thank you. It's such an eyesore now, a contrast going from the modern Highpoint and then turning the corner to see that. Has to be the grimmest tramstop in the world. Off to watch part 2 now! Loving yor channel.

[@philipmallis]

Thank you very much! And that tram stop itself has an interesting history too, it's been reconfigured a few times. There are some old photos floating around of what it used to look like

[@NewSouthWalse]

Really enjoyed the additional details on the repurposed tram tracks from other parts of Melbourne. Fantastic content.

[@philipmallis]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it

[@handyandyaus]

Of course Jack's Magazine preceded the factory. It is still completely intact and was open last weekend for Open House Melbourne. Absolutely fascinating and well worth a visit.

[@johnyoung1128]

I grew up in Moonee Ponds near the river and I seem to recall a bridge crossing between Maribyrnong and Aberfeldie but it was within commonwealth land and was not open to the public. Probably just as well as Afton street Aberfeldie is very steep!

[@RideMelburn]

Yeah the foundations for the bridge are still there. Easy to spot.

[@philipmallis]

Yes good point. You can see that bridge in the 1945 aerial imagery here: 1945.melbourne/ I understand that there was a guardpost there and some of the wooden foundations are still on the south side of the Maribyrnong River (I have some photos that I'll be uploading soon)

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Great doco' . Great research too .

[@philipmallis]

Thanks!

[@mifo2000]

I worked for the research and development team 20 years ago as a contractor apprentice fitter and turner, My uncle and 2 others starter their own machining and fabrication shop when they closed down the workshops and laboratories before i was even born. They kept close with a few scientist still working for the research and development team at the sight. its was almost exactly 20 years ago we moved a huge water tank and anabolic sound chamber to the new fishermans bend site. My Uncle still owns his shop with 2 other two guys and still contract to them. I also wrote my 1st car off on the bridge 21 years ago lol I started working for Siemens Trams for double the money on all the new trams we imported because they were too weak to deal with old 1900s tracks.. We bought the trams from europe in 2010? but they were designed for nice smooth Euro tracks that had all been rebuilt in the 1950s after ww2 and were a lot smother.

[@mce_AU]

Excellent video. Waiting for part 2.

[@citybeatdisco19]

Excellent video, and got a lot of info in, not just re the factory, but other things that eventuated because of it. Such as the extended tram line, what is now part of the #82 tram route, and the 82 the only tram line remaining from the old (& was separate) Footscray Tram network)

[@Petertwohig1948]

Thanks, Philip. I worked at the AFF during the V war.

[@gabrielleblair6804]

I loved this! I grew up around the area and have always been fascinated with defense site b! Can’t wait for part 2!!

[@icascone]

Wow, really well researched piece!! I also particularly enjoyed this because I have lived in the area for over 20 years!

[@philipmallis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leesar1447]

Thanks Philip! Always enjoy watching your videos. Always well researched and interesting topics. Look forward to part 2!

[@Stuartjarvis]

It's such a cool place nowadays. got some great photos from that place

[@drhandle4498]

In the 80s and early 90s, the camellia and rose gardens around the buildings on the MRL/AMRL/DSTO part of the site were just magnificent. Of course, the grounds keepers were one of the first services to go. Security dogs were another cost-cutting casualty; as a junior science officer, I was cheap enough to work overtime on weekends, and I would see the dogs on site outside of hours. Always barking as if they wanted to eat me, but having had German Shepherds myself, I wasn't fazed, and I think that miffed the guards a little bit.

[@COLINJELY]

Liked the fruit trees when walking around DSTO

[@latrobevalleyparanormaldet2157]

Thanks for sharing this. My dad was part of the maintenance team here in the early 80s.

[@petermurphy2167]

So was I ,plumber

[@MrMazRx]

Back in the mid/ late 90's, they were fixing some of the land for residential purpose. Somehow, about 10 of us (teen) friends from Melton ended up with a few weeks/ months work out there with metal detectors checking off whole gridded areas and digging out any old munitions before they could do anything with the land.

[@JFKgaming2005]

Excellent stuff, well done.

[@philipmallis]

Thanks!

[@desamos8196]

Fantastic Program, also just watch your program on King st Bridge. wonderful effort.

[@philipmallis]

Thank you!

[@elcasho]

Brilliant!

[@DCCXXjay]

phil you legend you've done it again, amazing video as always. cant wait for part 2!

[@philipmallis]

Thank you! Part 2 is almost done and should be out shortly

[@billcarlton7358]

And here I was thinking "Hey I'd love to learn more on the Maribyrnong explosives factory", like a knight in shining armour here you are. Thank you!

[@BalefulBunyip]

I used to work here in 1980 as a laboratory technician. Infusing pyridostigmine into rats. My job interview was conducted by a man who had just returned from sick leave after blowing off one of his thumbs. Great place to work, amazing people.

[@philipmallis]

Thanks for sharing!

[@drhandle4498]

Holy moly, did you work in PCD? Building 436? I was a vacation student in 1987, and ended up taking a permanent position in 1989, under Shirley Freeman (aka Boss Witch). Who blew his thumb off? I don't remember anybody thumbless, it must've been reattached. Unless that was one of the spooks you were interviewed by. We were all interviewed by the spooks at one point or another; the director, Wynford Connick at the time, chastised a group of vacation students for doing what would now be referred to as 'trolling' one of them...

[@BalefulBunyip]

@@drhandle4498 I also remember being interviewed by the spooks. Being given instructions as to how to respond to any suspicious Russian enquiries ... it all seemed so melodramatic. I can't remember the name of the guy who had the explosive accident and even who I worked for is no longer clear but it was Dr Hugh something. I did recall his name for a long time but it's gone now. He worked on the protective effect of pyridostigmine had on nerve agents and it's application as a patch. His friend next door was working on materials that best modelled ballistic damage to humans. Can't remember his name either. I do remember what they both looked like though, isn't that odd?

[@paulcadby6925]

Great story from our past. I actually completed the first year of my fitting and turning apprenticeship in 1978 there. They had a building full of machinery where all the local companies sent their first year apprentices to learn the trade. They treated us like we were in the services and some of the trainers were just horrible. I and many others hated it there. It was much better when we went to our employers for our second year onwards. Incredible experience though. 👍👍👍

[@simonsammut9289]

Are you referring to the Ordnance Factory? If so, I completed my first year apprentice fitting and turning 1982 there. The apprentice masters were very good. I loved it there

[@Steve-lx9xq]

Thanks Phillip, Your videos are so interesting & informative, really love learning about history of our town. keep up the great work. thanks.

[@philipmallis]

Glad you enjoy them, thank you!

[@MrJaz8088]

Went to a Xmas Kids Party in 1980 it was huge Also Gordon St West Footscray (now apartments) was part of the Ammo Factory, when i went to school

[@mickgatz214]

Great Report. Maybe it's time to build an new Explosives Factory?. ;)

[@thefmi5209]

Excellent work. There is more to the explosives industries in the west - Footscray Ammo, and Jacks Magazine, the explosives makers in Deer Park and Ardeer, plus the storags and small dock at Laverton/Altona area - which I also understand once had its own tramway, of sorts.

[@CentreHalfBack]

@@soulsphere9242 yes i forgot the Truganina / Ravenhall sites as well. Thx!

[@bosniantreeperson]

Been in there it’s epic

[@qlandr]

Loved this documentary. Thank you for your fantastic video(s).

[@philipmallis]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it!

[@benjaminzedrine]

My Nanna worked there. Where'd you get the archival footage? I wonder if she's in it.

[@timburnham1214]

Thank you. I have needed to know what this place was for far too long. I am now at peace. I'm going to annoy my wife for days talking about this

[@stewartgreen1681]

What about the munitions storage between Doherty rd and boundary rd on palmers rd. Still a couple of storage huts and administrative buildings there . Hopefully they will preserve them

[@ianmontgomery7534]

I can remember going to warehouse in that area where GAF had some gear stored. It was full of Foreign Aid equipment sitting on pallets so it could be easily taken from there to either the docks or the airport.

[@chrispetritsch1291]

This is probably not all that interesting but i worked for a computer services company in the 80's and we used to regularly send dozens of boxes of massive reports we'd printed off on our huge,new,state of the art laser printer to OFM [Ordnance Factory Maribyrnong].

[@265hemi7]

Got an old hand grenade box from there , empty! 🙂🤣 , Still has the cardboard storage tubes in it though! . Found in hard rubbish! . New sub , Melbourne .

[@Colt45hatchback]

My dad told me a story from his youth in the 50-60's where it was indeed possible to acquire a grenade from a specific man at a specific pub around sunshine, alegedly they were brought out in pieces from there, made for easy fishing apparently haha

[@COLINJELY]

Both my parents worked at the Maribyrnong Complex during WWII

[@The_Dood]

I like how this video is exploded in 2 parts :P

[@kaindog100]

My dad always referred to it as the ammo dump.

[@brankog7]

great doco, thanks mate

[@gigigirl2229]

Growing up in Moonee Ponds, I could hear the rounds of ammunition when they tested them ? I presume . There must be so much lead and asbestos around there …something must be done to the site as there was a recent large fire that came dangerously close to houses January 2022 .

[@darylcheshire1618]

Tommy Bent is the Melbourne equivalent of Yerkes from Tales of the Tube

[@rickkennett8505]

I worked the in 77 and 78 on the 9mm and 762 bullet machines.

[@freebeerishere]

Lol I literally live right there, always wondered what exactly took place!

[@hughkelly9073]

My wife's grandmother, during WW2, saw a Japanese aeroplane flying over the factory. Close enough to see the pilot's head in the cockpit.

[@COLINJELY]

My Dad said he saw the AA Guns firing from the Showgrounds

[@hughkelly9073]

@@COLINJELY wow but that’s not surprising. There were gun placements all over the place. The war was much closer than we were told.

[@265hemi7]

While growing up on the 80's I lived near a house that had an air raid shelter, built into the back yard ...

[@COLINJELY]

@@265hemi7 my high school in Braybrook had a flooded air raid shelter on the fenceline of the school and adjacent factory. Scienceworks has three air raid shelters in the yard

[@Colt45hatchback]

Submarine launched recon plane one assumes, e14y most likely

[@tonycostanzo4276]

i thought it was in deer park

[@bryan3550]

Ah yes, the inevitable Premier Thomas Bent... Bent by name, .....

[@thomas-wiki]

i live there

[@jimpikoulis6726]

Fire in the Hole!!!

[@edwardliquorish8540]

1977 D.O.A.S., T & S Div. Maribyrnong. Clerical Assistant 4, doing Higher Duties of Clerk 2/3 and getting payed for it. In the canteen, you could actually buy a 10 cent pie. Memories.

[@philipmallis]

Great to see so many people who worked there still around, thanks for sharing!

[@cybersafetyeducational5676]

urbexers malding

[@tonijoncevski8607]

The Mariabajong Reka (River) fed my family in the 1980s. Lots of Mullet and caught on a rod.