| Date |
Event |
|
1814 |
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).
Capt. Thomas Campbell secures a land grant of 1280 acres which he later sold to
his brother-in-law James Mackay Grey, who named it Omega Retreat. |
|
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.
Stonewall builder Thomas Newing arrives and begins work on the many historic walls that
divide local farms. |
|
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).
St Mary's
Star of the Sea Catholic Church is built. |
|
1883 |
School of Arts hall (today's Scout & Guide Hall) is built. |
|
1884 |
Gerringong Congregational Church is opened.
A jetty is built at Boatharbour greatly
assisting the transport of local produce. The first steam boat arrived 1890. |
|
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". |
