On September 16, 1860 four men braved the cold to man a gun battery that had been installed on Shortland’s Bluff - a coastal headland at the entrance of Port Phillip.

Their mission was to protect the gold-rich cities of Melbourne and Geelong from foreign invaders. They were members of the first Queenscliff Garrison Artillery and among the first volunteer force in Victoria.

In September the Fort of Queenscliff, one of Australia’s most significant military assets, will mark the 150th anniversary of the garrison’s formation with a weekend long celebration. 

Co-chairman of the anniversary organizing committee, retired Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Hughes said the three day event would be one of the largest military gatherings ever staged in the Geelong region and could attract as many as 30,000 former and serving members, including leaders of the Australian Defence Force.

“I know that there are thousands, multiple thousands of people out there who would have heard about this weekend and they are coming from everywhere,” said Mr Hughes.

“ We know that there are people internationally that have heard about it and there are people coming from interstate. The VIP list starts at the very top of the country and extends right down to people who are graduates of this college.”

Building works on the Fort itself commenced in 1882. By the time they were completed three years later, and with an artillery of 150, Port Phillip was one of the most heavily defended harbours in the British Empire.

From 1946 to 2000 the installation became the home of the Army Command and Staff College and today houses the Army Soldier Career Management Agency.

“This will be a celebration of an important part of the heritage of Queenscliff,” said Borough of Queenscliffe Mayor Bob Merriman OAM.

“The Fort has always been seen as a significant defence installation and the town itself boasts an important role in Australia’s military activity.”

Indeed, the orders for the first Allied shots fired in World War I came from Queenscliff.  

“To be able to celebrate 150 years of this all-important heritage is a very significant milestone for both the Australian defence community and our town,” Cr Merriman said.

The 150th celebration will be held from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th September and will include a long list of events spread across the twin towns of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

They will include:
• A Grand Gala Ball
• A reunion dinner for members of the Queenscliff Staff College
• A street parade along Hesse Street from historical Queenscliff railway station to the Fort
• A community open day, featuring a military re-enactment at the Fort of Queenscliff
• A fireworks display over the Fort, featuring the military band and the 1812 Overture
• A celebration breakfast in Princess Park
• A Street market and other community events, including a re-enactment of the ‘Tops v the Flats’ (Army versus civilians) football clash at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve

Be sure to save the date and visit Queenscliff for the 150th Celebration events!