General News
15 August, 2025
Don’t miss Fire Night
RUG up and take your family and friends along to Flagstaff Hill this Saturday night for the always-popular ‘Fire Night’ event.
The evening, which will run from 5pm-9pm, will kick off with a bang (literally) when the rarely used swivel gun, known fittingly as ‘Thunderchild’ will be fired at dusk in the wharf precinct.
Thunderchild is a 19th century swivel gun manufactured in Torquay, Victoria.
Swivel guns are small cannons (Thunderchild is just 64cm long) that were usually mounted on a swivelling stand to allow for a wide arc of movement.
As well as being used as short-ranged anti-personnel weapons in sea battles, swivel guns also had peaceful uses.
They were used for signaling purposes and for firing salutes.
They also found uses in whaling, where bow-mounted swivel guns were used to fire harpoons, and fowling, where swivel guns mounted on punts were used to shoot flocks of waterfowl.
Now in its third year, Fire Night encourages everyone to rug up and embrace the positives of the cooler months, including earlier sunsets, comfort food and warm fires.
This Saturday night’s event will also feature an array of food trucks, live music, and firepits perfect for toasting marshmallows.
All admission tickets to Fire Night are just $5 and there will be no free Local Ambassador tickets.
This weekend (August 16-17) will also see ‘International Lighthouse Weekend’ celebrated at Flagstaff Hill.
There will be a range of special activities planned, including the Warrnambool Men’s Shed Radio Group’s live broadcast from the Lady Bay Upper Lighthouse, joining over 400 lighthouse-based stations across the globe.
Entry to International Lighthouse Weekend is free for Local Ambassadors.
