Queenscliff set for a blast at fort’s 150th anniversary

Kim Waters
IN 1882 the sound of gunshots ringing from Fort Queenscliff would have signalled an approaching threat but this weekend the noise will be a cause for celebration.
The iconic landmark is set to host a two-day festival to commemorate the 150th anniversary of military presence at Shortland’s Bluff.
Event organiser Liz Fountain expected about 20,000 guests including “high ranking” army personnel.
Weekend accommodation was booked out early in anticipation of a school holiday rush to the event, she said.
“This type of festival helps the army and the community,” Ms Fountain said.
“Shop owners and hospitality businesses have been really disheartened lately with the weather discouraging people from visiting the area. The event will bring a lot of people into the town and they’ll be spending money, so it’s really positive for local businesses.”
Ms Fountain labelled the 150th anniversary as a “significant milestone”.
“The fort has a really interesting and important military history. For example, the orders for the first allied shots in World War One came from Queenscliff.
“It’s been one of the most heavily defended harbours in the British empire.”
Ms Fountain said festival events included a Hesse Street parade at 11am Saturday and a military re-enactment and gun demonstration at the fort in the afternoon.
Hesse Street would close from 11am to 4pm Saturday for street trading.
Saturday would conclude with an evening fireworks display before guided historical tours of the fort and family sport events on Sunday.
Ms Fountain said residents and businesses had given the anniversary “plenty of support”.
“The community really supports the fort and sees it as a pretty special attraction, so they’re really excited about the event.”