Fired up

RESTORATION work to the City of Albany's historical gun collection is one of 16 work for the dole projects helping jobseekers prepare for employment. Albany District Skills  Training committee is helping more than 50 people in the Great Southern learn new skills and upgrade previous skills. Project supervisor John Drummond said the gun restoration project taught skills in woodwork, metal work, painting and fabrication. "We are restoring a collection of old guns that the City of Albany keeps at The Forts," he said. Mr Drummond said 'the condition of the guns varied as they were between 60 and 200 years old and there were concerns the mounts could collapse. Some of the guns are from Albany's first days as a colony and others up to those used in World War II James Hopkins is one of six work for the dole participants restoring a 1942 Bofors gun. It was mounted on the HMAS Leeuwin and later used for shooting practice by the Sea Cadets before being donated to the City of Albany in 2003. Mr Hopkins said the Bofors was the fourth gun he had restored. Other work for the dole projects include restoration at Camp Quaranup, community web design and a wood workshop. 

Source: Albany Advertiser