The iconic whistle of Warrnambool former Woollen Mills will now ring out across the city each day after a decade of silence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The hard work of the Friends of The Mill's group to preserve the history of the old Woollen Mill has paid off with the return of the whistle, launch of its website, community garden and other projects.
Lindsay Miller, who began work as a 17-year-old in the administration building, fondly remembers his 49-year career at the Woollen Mill.
"When I began work, we were in the middle of the war so everything went to the war effort," he said.
"There's a huge amount of history among the old industries here.
"This place put the bread and butter on a lot of people's tables.
"I'm glad the generations below me have taken enough interest to do something about our local history."
The original Woollen Mill whistle, which sounded five times a day to mark the change of shifts, was last heard 10 years ago but will now echo over South Warrnambool daily at 4.45pm.
The original Woollen Mill whistle was restored after the Friends of The Mill were successful in getting help from the city council's community development fund.
In the hopes of preserving the history of what was once one of Warrnambool's major industries, a website has been launched containing factual accounts, audio interviews and a photographic display of what life was like from 1857 to 2000.
The mill garden includes a restored Liebig Street gas lamp, a street library and a hopscotch pitch created by the residents.
Recovered from Liebig Street, the lamp was been cleaned and re-painted to bring it back to its former glory.
The street library came about as another way to connect the community with the library.
The pick-a-book and give-a-book idea was constructed by the Balmoral Men's Shed where some residents have a farm.
Friends of The Mill and Mad For The Merri will preserve the site between the community garden and footbridge.
The new community garden includes native species and rests of the old mill car park
To sustain the garden, the Friends of The Mill have installed a water tank to water the garden.
Warrnambool mayor Tony Herbert was at the launch of the project, which was completed with help from the city council.
"So many old industries have struggled over the years but the Woollen Mill has transitioned beautifully," Cr Herbert said.
"People who worked here said it was like a family and now the people living here are like a family too.
"The spirit of the mill still lives on and this is a wonderful example of our community."
Resident Maggie Dwyer, who lives in what was the the mill's former administration building, opened up her home for the launch.
"It's been a lot of fantastic work from a lot of people," she said.
"All contributors have been recognised for their efforts which extend to the hopscotch, water tank, library, lamp and so much more.
"It's been great to have past employees here today to share stories."
The new website was made possible with the records from the Warrnambool and District Historical Society and a community grant from the A. L. Lane Foundation.
Discover the history of The Woollen Mill at warrnamboolwoollenmill.com.au .
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.