Library
Thirroul - Timeline
|
1770 |
25-28 April. Lt James Cook sailed up the Illawarra coast, observing and naming features, but was prevented from landing by heavy surf |
| 1817 | Whaling took place off the Thirroul/Bulli coast & a boiling-down works was set up at ‘Boulli’ Point |
| 1819 | Cedar tree felling began and most of the valuable timber was exhausted by the 1850’s |
| 1844 | Bulli Mountain Road was replaced by Westmacott Pass track as main route over the escarpment |
| 1870's | Settlement began in the hilly area of Thirroul (North Bulli) because the flat beachside area was swampy and susceptible to flooding |
| 1880 | The name of Robbinsville was adopted to the area known as North Bulli |
| 1882 | Construction of the first section of the Illawarra line commenced |
| 1887 | Railway line from Clifton to Kiama completed |
| 1888 | Licence granted to Samuel Kirton to open a hotel in Thirroul, called MacCawley Park Hotel |
| 1888 | Railway link from Sydney to Kiama completed |
| 1888 | Robbinsville post office was opened with Frederick Robbins, acting as postmaster |
| 1888 | One acre of land obtained from Frederick Robbins for the purpose of building a school in the area |
| 1889 | Primary school opened |
| 1891 | The name "Thirroul" was officially adopted |
| 1893 | Small Post Office erected at Thirroul Railway crossing, shared by rail & postal departments |
| 1895 | Coal was first discovered in a creek bed off Ford’s Road |
| 1898 | The ship "Amy" was wrecked on the rocks at the southern end of Thirroul beach. Ship and all hands were lost |
| 1900 | John S Kirton opened Excelsior No 1 coal mine |
| 1902 | Excelsior 2 seam was opened |
| 1906 | Telephone came to the Bulli/Thirroul district |
| 1906 | First land auctioned on the east side of the railway line, McCawley Park Estate |
| 1906 | Bulli Shire Council was proclaimed |
| 1910 | Swimming carnival held at Flanagan’s Creek |
|
1913 |
Open-air picture theatre opened by J S Kirton, the "King’s Theatre" |
| 1917 | Railway marshalling yards and locomotive depot established |
| 1919 | World War I memorial erected on the corner of Railway Parade. The memorial statue is now located in Woodward Memorial Park |
| 1920 | Thirroul brickworks began production – Vulcan Silica Fire Brick Co |
| 1922 | Author D H Lawrence and his wife came to live at "Wyewurk where he wrote the novel "Kangaroo" |
| 1923 | Arcadia Theatre opened by Yardly Bros, built between the railway line and the main road |
| 1925 | "New" King’s Theatre opened |
| 1930 | Bus service began between Thirroul and Austinmer – Dions |
| 1937 | A Melbourne-Sydney bound plane was forced to land on Thirroul beach during heavy fog. Residents formed a runway with car headlights to lead the plane safely down |
| 1938 | Thirroul brickworks sold to Newbolds Industrial Refractories |
| 1940 | Olympic pool opened |
| 1947 | Bulli Shire Council, Central Illawarra Shire Council and the Municipality of North Illawarra combined to form The City of Greater Wollongong Council |
| 1960 | Thirroul Library and Baby Health Centre opened |
| 1968 | Kings Theatre becomes a roller-skating rink |
| 1982 | Thirroul Plaza opened |
| 1984 | Northern Illawarra Action Group (NIRAG) formed to oppose the construction of coal loading bins, a conveyor and balloon rail loop at Sandon Point. |
| 1984 | NIRAG called for an integrated approach to the re-zoning and proposed development of land in Sandon Point/South Thirroul area |
| 1987 | Ward boundaries were abolished |
| 1989 | Thirroul Resident Group opposes development of old Excelsior colliery site |
| 1989 | September, Wollongong City Council to aquire Thirroul business property for the purpose of building a new library/community centre |
| 1990 | Return to Ward boundaries – 5 Wards were gazetted on 29 June |
| 1991 | Residents and Council set up a beautification scheme for Thirroul village |
| 1992 | Conflict over land development on the escarpment |
| 1993 | Cycleway extension to Thirroul completed |
| 1993 | Thirroul Village Committee wins prestigious Basil Ryan gold award at the 1993 Rise & Shine Awards presentation for improved streetscapes |
| 1997 | Residents concerned about health risks, picket against Telstra phone tower |
| 1998 | August – Thirroul is affected by storms and floods |
| 2000 | June – Historians seek to delay the demolition of the disused BHP brickworks due to historical value. Demolition part of proposed redevelopment |
| 2000 | September – Residents object to proposed high rise building development |
| 2005 | Thirroul pool refurbished |
| 2006 | New set of controls for development in Thirroul town centre endorsed by council |
| 2007 | Anita’s Theatre (former King’s Theatre) opened. Purchased, refurbished and renamed by Mr Comeli to honour his late wife, Anita |
| 2007 | Construction of the new Thirroul Community Centre and Library commenced |
Last Modified: 6/08/2008
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Local History Librarian
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