The Proof Yard – 190 Series Building

Known as the Proof Area or Proof Yard these buildings were constructed between 1939-1941, during the World War Two expansion period of the Royal Australian Navy Armament Depot (RANAD) Newington.

The Proof Yard was where most armament stores requiring it, were tested or “proved”, which means testing it to ensure it remains within its design specification for functionality and safety.

Buildings 190 and 191 were for the chemical testing of cordite propellant for stability. Buildings 192 and 193 functioned as laboratory rooms, where ammunition was packed and unpacked, and items prepared for proof and in some cases proved. Most of the proof apparatus was located outside.

The Newington Depot only proved smaller items of ammunition that could be safely functioned in a small area, for example, pyrotechnics. Larger items requiring a large land area (such as gun projectiles) were sent to external ranges such as the Port Wakefield proof range in South Australia.