News

Historic gun restored to its former glory

Jun 2, 2020

The Strathmerton community has banded together to give one of its most iconic statues a makeover.

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Sitting out the front of Strathmerton town hall, the previously rusty Bofors QF 40 mm MK1 anti-aircraft gun has been restored to its former glory.

Strathmerton RSL treasurer Heather McCoy said the committee were able to restore the World War II artefact through community fundraisers and generous donations.

“The Lions Club made a generous donation and Brenda McConnell also made a beautiful Anzac quilt which we were able to raffle off,” she said.

Stanyer Engineering was given the task of restoring the weapon, which is speculated to have been made in the United Kingdom in 1942, possibly seeing service in the Middle East.

The committee planned to unveil the gun to the community at this year’s Anzac Day service but unfortunately had to reveal the weapon with no fanfare due to COVID-19 restrictions.

New RSL president Brad Church said the committee hoped it would be able to formally introduce the weapon to the public at this year's Remembrance Day service.

“It's been here since I was a kid so it's nice to see it has received the update it deserves,” he said.

“It’s a more up-to-date colour compared to what it was back in the day.”

The historic weapon is loved by all generations of the community, including young children who are often seen perched high on the seats of the large gun.