Anglesea’s Loveridge Lookout has been added to the Victorian Heritage Register, as part of commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

Built in 1938 for local woman Bertha Loveridge, the Loveridge Lookout was commandeered in 1942 to be used as an aircraft monitoring post.

It’s one of the last two known remaining Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) posts in Victoria, with many other WWII observation posts having been demolished. The VAOC was the civilian arm of the Royal Australian Air Force.

The site is now protected under the Heritage Act 2017, along with VAOC logbooks and rosters held by the Anglesea and District Historical Society.

These tell the story of the 56 local residents who kept the Loveridge Lookout open 24 hours a day between 1942 and 1945, recording aircraft movements and relaying the information by phone to Geelong.

By the end of WWII, there were 24,000 civilian VAOC volunteers across Australia – most of whom were women.

The heritage listing comes as Victorians prepare to commemorate 75 years since the end of WWII on Saturday, 15 August through a series of online and virtual experiences.

To explore the 75th anniversary commemorative program, visit vic.gov.au/world-war-2-75th-anniversary.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane

“The story of Anglesea’s Loveridge Lookout is an example of how a small community came together during World War Two to assist in the war effort and it is right that it should be protected.”

“As we commemorate 75 years on from the end of WWII it is important that we remember the sacrifice and dedication of all those who served.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

“While there were many volunteer lookout posts used during WWII, this is one of the few that are still standing – this makes Loveridge Lookout’s addition to the Heritage Register such a special one.”