On 17 August members of the Fortress Newcastle team conducted the first field trip to remnant sites in the region of military installations of FORTRESS NEWCASTLE. This consisted of an inspection of the 131 Radar Station at Ash Island, followed by a visit to Fighterworld at Williamtown, the site of the RAAF Air Force Base. More field trips to all the remaining sites are planned for the near future. Research and information gathering on all Civil and Military activities is progressing well.

30 September 2019 was an important day in the Newcastle Steelmaking history.
It was commemorated by two open days at the site. Sunday 29th and Monday 30th September saw hundreds of past workers and their families visit Delprat's Cottage, the Muster Point sculpture and the Steelworkers memorial. Closure Manager Lance Hockridge returned to cut a commemorative cake to recognise the occasion. It was good to see so many past faces.

In October 2019 members of NIHA visited the Denman Heritage Village. They have an amazing collection of almost every type and model of machine ever built. NIHA will be supporting DHV to bring this collection to the public.

An important first step in NIHA's new project - FORTRESS NEWCASTLE, was to visit another of the unused military sites from WW11.
Fort Wallace will eventually become open to the public and will make an exciting stopover on the 'Fortress Newcastle Trail'.
We will soon start featuring some of the amazing stories of how the 'Newcastle Industrial Hub', protected by 'Fortress Newcastle', was such a critical part of the war effort to save Australia.

plan of tunnels at Fort Wallace

the team in the 9in gun pit 29 Nov 19

guided tour of the site

On Saturday 9 November 2019 a new video was launched at Newcastle Museum - where the video will be used as part of the steelworks exhibition.
'BHP Newcastle - A City within a City' was produced by local filmmakers Glenn Dormand and Tony Whittaker, the 46 minute video comprises the voices of 12 former employees.
It is a strong personal story of life at the steelworks.

WATCH the VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khun-ZY3Srw


NIHA Members Keith, Bob, Frank, Cr Carol Duncan (lost Newcastle founder), Uncle Bill Smith and Producer Glenn Dormand (Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab).

Part of the audience at the launch.

Filmmakers Tony Whittaker and Glenn Dormand.