GERRINGONG & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY Inc.
& MUSEUM
10 Blackwood Street, Gerringong, NSW 2534.
Patron:- Sandra McCarthy OAM, Emeritus Mayor, Fellow UOW.


Gerringong's Historical Time Line
Please note a new booklet on this subject, with illustrations,
is available for sale at the Museum for $5.00.
(See Items for Sale page.)
Date |
Event |
1812 |
First recorded cedar cut in Gerringong |
1824 |
Governor Brisbane instructs that 600 acres be reserved for a town at the present Gerringong township |
1825 |
William Smith secures the first land grant in Gerringong - 600 acres at Omega (Renfrew Park). |
1827 |
Michael Hindmarsh secures a land grant of 640 acres. He became the first settler to live and work on a grant in Gerringong. |
1829 |
Gerringong is gazetted as a postal town. |
1835 |
Robert Miller secures 600 acres, naming the property "Renfrew Park" after his Scottish home. The present house was built in 1866. |
1849 |
New road cleared from Kiama to Gerringong. |
1850 |
Gerringong Wesleyan Chapel (later Methodist, then Uniting Church), is built in Fern St. |
1851 |
Alne Bank home (off Sims Road) is built for Michael Hindmarsh. |
1854 |
A town plan for Gerringong is approved, and on January 17, 1854, the Governor of NSW proclaims the site the "Village of Gerringong". |
1854 |
Weatherboard Presbyterian Church built. |
1855 |
First town lots sold - opposite today's Catholic Church. |
1856 |
St Georges Church of England is built in Fern St. The original church was destroyed in 1872, and was rebuilt in 1874. |
1857 |
First post office opens and "Gerringong" becomes the official spelling of the township. |
1859 |
Kiama Municipality is proclaimed, incorporating Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo. Gerringong folk are not happy about their inclusion and immediately campaign for independence. |
1860 |
Omega National School is built (closed in 1941, now a private residence). Rose Valley School follows in 1868. |
1870 |
First Methodist Church built, replacing the original wattle and daub Chapel. It now operates as Chittick Lodge. |
1871 |
Jubilation for Gerringong residents when the township wins its independence from Kiama Municipality, being incorporated as the Gerringong Municipal District on April 24. |
1872 |
Devastation as a fire razes much of Gerringong business area together with homes and the C of E church. |
1875 |
To overcome their shipping problems, farmers unite to buy their own vessels such as "The Dairymaid". |
1876 |
Gerringong Public School is opened with 60 pupils. |
1882 |
Gerringong Police Station opens in Fern Street (now a private residence). |
1883 |
School of Arts hall (today's Scout & Guide Hall) is built. |
1884 |
Gerringong Congregational Church is opened. |
1888 |
Gerringong Butter Factory (Dairy Co-Op) established. |
1891 |
A great storm smashes the jetty at Boatharbour to pieces. |
1893 |
South Coast railway line is extended to Gerringong, signalling a start of the end of shipping. |
1911 |
Gentlemen's Baths constructed at Boatharbour. By 1942 it had fallen into disrepair. Remnants can be seen south of the present boat ramp. |
1913 |
Telephone comes to Gerringong. |
1914 |
Gerringong Surf Club is formed. |
1921 |
The RSL Soldiers Memorial Hall is built. |
1928 |
Electricity comes to Gerringong. |
1933 |
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith undertakes his historic flight from Seven Mile Beach to New Zealand. |
1936 |
Sportsground Pavilion built. |
1936 |
Tidal swimming pool at South Werri constructed (Ourie Baths) |
1948 |
Gerringong Town Hall officially opened. |
1966 |
New post office built (closed 1997). |
1971 |
Town water supply connected. |
1994 |
New Gerringong Public School opens in Archibald Street. |
1998 |
Gerringong sewerage system announced. Contract signed in 2001 and first connections functioning by 2003. |
2004 |
Sesquicentenary celebrations (1854-2004) and official opening of newly landscaped "Old School Park". |
© This Article is Copyright: Gerringong and District Historical Society - 2014