Gerringong

Gerringong is a town located about ten minutes south of Kiama in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia in the Municipality of Kiama. At the 2011 census, Gerringong had a population of 3,456 people. One theory says that the name derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "fearful place" Supposedly great fear was caused to tribes there by the sight of Captain Cook's ship in full sail. There are other theories as to the meaning of the name.

History

The first European settlers were red cedar cutters, who were first recorded as having visited and logged in the area in 1814. As in much of coastal New South Wales, the cleared land was used for dairy farming and cedar cutting died out, as the cedar trees disappeared. Dairy farming became the predominant primary industry, and remains so to this day. Gerringong had a small boat harbour used for the export of cedar and dairy produce.

In 1824, Governor Brisbane reserved 600 acres (2.4 km²) for the present Gerringong township. In 1827 Michael Hindmarsh and his family were granted 640 acres (2.6 km²) and became the first settler in the Gerringong area. In 1829 Gerringong was incorporated into the postal system. Alne Bank homestead was built in 1851 for the Hindmarshes, who still live there today and occasionally open it for inspection.

In 1854, a town plan for Gerringong was approved and the Governor proclaimed it a village. In 1872 the business area, Church of England church and some houses were destroyed by a bush fire. In 1893 the South Coast railway line was extended to Gerringong, leading to the end of shipping from the town. Telephone services were extended to Gerringong in 1913 and electricity in 1928.