Christmas came from Kiama and Started Woolworths!

Woolworths was started in Sydney, December 6th, 1924 (85th anniversary coming up soon!)by Percy Christmas, who was born in Kiama and son of the local Bank manager, Robert Christmas, (and grandfather Charles Christmas) and his wife Mary Caroline King
The Kings are a very well known family around Kiama, even today, and include such respectable members [...]

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Kiama in Politics, Four NSW Premiers

This will draw heavily on the book People and Politics in Regional New South Wales’ by Jim Hagan,(http://books.google.com.au/books?id=0KAJDc-AvPMC&pg=PA79&lpg=PA79&dq=Federal+seat+Illawarra&source=bl&ots=U9_GBxtsFS&sig=EV8RRDKYiBmuj_HZ8pmeID3OTDM&hl=en&ei=PwLHSuf1O4LwsQPs5PihBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#v=onepage&q=Federal%20seat%20Illawarra&f=false) but with some greater depth and focus on NSW state elections in this period only.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_district_of_Kiama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_district_of_Wollondilly
Kiama has had many illustrous representatives serving the people of Kiama at local, State and Federal level.
Here is the complete list of elected [...]

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Kiama at War

Sydney, NSW, 1885: infantrymen of the NSW Contingent to the Sudan, after their return to Australia. They are wearing khaki uniform issued for active service, and are equipped with Martini-Henry rifles.
Kiama has had a long history of involvement in Australia’s Wars, starting with Robert Weir, a Gerringong resident, who is officially Australia’s first overseas [...]

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Early poem by Charmian Clift of Kiama Found!

A poem by Charmian Clift, well-known Australian writer from Kiama and wife of George Johnston the writer, where she was 8 years old, discovered as part of the Kingsford Smith memorial at Gerroa on the south coast of NSW!
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Overlooking Seven Mile Beach

The image of her ’starbaking’ in the rock pools at Bombo or ferociously and [...]

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Photos and Videos for the Kiama 150th Anniverary

Here is my first upload Youtube video! Yay!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTwORjbLlLs&hl=en&fs=1&
Here are the Kiama councillors dressed in period costume during the Kiama 150th Anniversary Council Parade on Sunday 9th August, 2009.
left to right; Mayor Sandra McCarthy (in mayoral robes), Councillor Monique Dare-Ward, Council Manager Michael Forsyth (slightly obscured), Councillors Trevor Fredericks, Deputy Mayor Ben van der Wijngaart [...]

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Mayors of Kiama Slideshow

Happy 150th Anniversary of Kiama Council!

A couple of images from the council re-enactment in 1959, covered in the Kiama Independent.

and this one

and in 2009 in the lake times here
http://www.laketimes.com.au/article/kiama_set_to_party_like_its_1859

Many events are happening over the coming weekend, (Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August, 2009)
and the following week, and I will be [...]

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Joseph Weston Statue Unveiling In Kiama In August

As part of the Kiama Council 150th Anniversary Celebration, a statue will be unveiled to the memory of Joseph Weston, founder of the Kiama Independent and  a very active citizen of his era, especially in Freemasonry
The Brethern of Lodge Kiama No 35. U.G.L. New South Wales July 5th 1906. Seated second from left is Joseph [...]

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Some Heritage Street Scenes in Kiama’s Terralong Street

 It is good to see in one of the main streets of Kiama, Terralong Street (the other main street is Manning Street) that heritage buildings are still alive and being used, and being refurbished, possibly to spruce them up for Kiama Council’s 150th anniversary celebrations coming up in August , 2009!
A photo of the Scot’s [...]

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S.S. Dunmore the Wreckmaker; score 6-0!

Shipwrecks are always fascinating but did you know that the blue metal ship the S.S Dunmore rammed and sank up to six ships in its career while moving blue metal from Kiama and Shellharbour to Sydney? Is there any ship in the world that rammed and sunk seven ships ? As I said to a young visitor [...]

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Kiama Heritage Blowhole Tennis Courts Serve Again!

Some old Cocks Photographic studio-style  photos on display at the Kiama Pilot’s Cottage have confirmed the age of the Kiama Blowhole Tennis Courts (right next door)as around 1892.
Check out the size of the Norfolk Pine next to the courts in 1892 and later in 2009.

The view above clearly shows the two surfaces and a shelter, in exactly the [...]

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