Celebrate Kiama’s amazing heritage
Visit the Pilots Cottage Museum, Blowhole Point
Treat yourself to a fascinating trip down memory lane. Learn how Aboriginal people and white settlers have made their mark on the local area. Find out more about the marks left by cedar gatherers, farmers and miners.
Discover Kiama’s leading history society
See how local people are fighting to defend the area’s heritage buildings and places, and celebrating the history of the area. Why not join up and become part of a growing movement that cares about our neighbourhoods?
Find out more about our local history
Find helpful hints on where to look for more information on the history of the area now known as the Kiama local government area. This includes on the Internet, and names of helpful organisations.
Historical Society News
Longstanding President of Kiama Historical Society Sue Eggins had her contribution recognised in June 2025. She was inscribed on the NSW Honour Roll as an official ‘hidden treasure’ at a ceremony led by Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald and Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters.
Sue has been instrumental in the continuing success of the organisation over several decades. Well done Sue!
The recent series of ‘Who do you think you are’ on SBS includes an episode tracing Gina Chick’s family history. Her famous ancestor Charmian Clift has a strong connection to the Kiama area, so the program is a good source of local information.
Kiama Historical Society’s Vice President and Treasurer Tony Gilmour features as one of the local historians providing information to Gina.
Click here to view the episode.
New Publication
Dr Tony Gilmour’s 286 page book with over 90 historic images tells the thrilling tale of hotels in Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong. From the first hotels in 1837 to the present day, drinking venues have shaped social life and character.
Kiama was once a place of ‘besotted and shameless drunkards’, Bombo hosted an illegal ‘sly grog’ shop and Kiama’s 1899 great fire led to mass bingeing on stolen alcohol.
Click on the book image or below to buy the book for $29.90 + 50c booking fee (local delivery is free). All profits go to Kiama Historical Society
Events
Our popular monthly speaker events are held at the Kiama Library auditorium and attract a good crowd. After the presentation is a chance for questions, then afternoon tea
Orry-Kelly gala celebration
The Orry-Kelly Dressing Hollywood Gala honours the legendary costume designer’s exceptional career and achievements, celebrating his legacy right here in his hometown of Kiama.
Orry-Kelly is a Kiama born, three time Academy Award winning costume designer with credits on over 300 Hollywood films working with stars like Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis and Katherine Hepburn.
The event coincides with Orry-Kelly being awarded one of the NSW Government’s prestigious Blue Plaques, which will be unveiled on a wall of The Sebel. The gala also marks the tenth anniversary of the 2015 documentary Women He’s Undressed, which chronicles his life and career.
The film’s screenwriter, Katherine Thompson, and producer, Damien Parer, will be in attendance to share their insights and celebrate Orry-Kelly’s legacy. Australian legend and director Gillian Armstrong is also scheduled to attend, with confirmation closer to the event.
This Hollywood Glamour-themed evening will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, featuring a selection of Orry-Kelly’s original costumes and artwork, a panel of industry experts, a Hollywood-inspired live performance from a dance troupe, and much more.
Saturday 26 July 2025 at Sebel Hotel. Exhibition open 11am to 4pm, $10 entry fee. For gala event tickets click here
David Dufty author talk: Charles Todd’s magnificent obsession
The construction of Australia's overland telegraph was an extraordinary feat of engineering and a wild gamble that nearly went terribly wrong.
This is a tale of obsession, heroism, and tragedy - and, above all, it's a totally compelling yarn!
The year was 1870, and mail took six weeks to get to England by sea. Australians hungered for the speedy communication a telegraph connection would bring. Engineer Charles Todd promised that he could string up wires on poles from Adelaide over 3000 km to an undersea cable in Darwin Harbour in just 18 months. It was a wild gamble that became an epic race against time.
David Dufty is a Canberra-based researcher and writer. His other titles include: The Secret Code Breakers of Central Bureau, Radio Girl and Nabbing Ned Kelly.
Saturday 2 August 2025 at 2.00pm: Kiama Library Auditorium. A joint Friends of Kiama Library and Kiama Historical Society event. $8 for Friends and Kiama Historical Society members / $10 guests . Includes afternoon tea. Book online here or call 02 4233 1133
Member’s only visit to historic Kendall’s House
Details available shortly
September 2025
Tony Gilmour & Aunty Joyce Donovan: Aboriginal Kiama
Over the last year months Dr Tony and Dr Joyce have worked to transform the way the Pilot’s Cottage Museum tells the story of Aboriginal and Colonial Kiama. They will share fascinating stories of our past, for so long hidden.
Who would have thought - before European settlement Minnamurra was the most important place in our locality. Kiama was a mere stopping-off place. What changed, when and why?
Encounter King Mickey Johnson. Anointed at Wollongong as ‘king’ of the Illawarra in 1896, he was the arguably the most photographed person in nineteenth century in this region, Aboriginal or settler. Yet his wife’s tale, of Queen Rosie, is even more remarkable.
Saturday 25 October 2025 at 2.00pm: Kiama Library Auditorium. $3 Members of Kiama Historical Society / $5 Non-Members. Includes afternoon tea
Previous events - time to Podcast!
Our friends at Kiama Community Radio (KCR) have many of our recent events recorded as podcasts. Click on the images below to go to the Podcast.
