Celebrate Kiama’s amazing heritage
Visit the Pilot’s 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 quarry workers.
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.
Kiama Historical Society (KHS) celebrated 50 years in 2025 but there’s no sign of us slowing down! We now have a record 206 paid and life members, making us one of the largest voluntary organisations in the area. We had great feedback from Suzanne Holohan, Chief Executive of the Royal Australian Historical Society:
“I warmly congratulate your Society on reaching more than 200 members, an achievement that places it among the top 8% by membership size of our 367 affiliated historical societies across NSW. This recent growth is a great sign of KHS’s energy and community support, and we look forward to seeing KHS continue to contribute to our understanding of the people and places of New South Wales”.
Historical society news
More records have been broken. We now have 32 local heroes who open the Pilot’s Cottage Museum to visitors and share fascinating local knowledge.
Over the last few months we have welcomed Bob Corfield, Di Tierney, David and Catherine Jones, Lynne Henderson, Anne Anderson, Lea and Ken Tucker and Chris Evans. Behind the scenes new museum helpers have been Brett and Mitch Tierney, John Stott and Grahaeme Murray.
Please contact Tony Gilmour if you’d like to join the team. Our next training event will be held at the museum at 2pm on Wednesday 4 February. At 3pm that day we’re inviting people who might be interested in joining our management committee to come and see what is involved … ‘try before you buy’!
Volunteering update
Latest publications
Dr Tony Gilmour, our vice president was busy writing during 2025!
Celebrating history tells how for over five decades Kiama Historical Society has brought to life fascinating stories from the area’s past. It has battled to preserve valuable local heritage against demolition and insensitive development.
Read all about Kiama’s legendary figures the Society has helped rediscover. From progressive writer and colourful character Charmian Clift to legendary Hollywood multi Oscar winner Orry-Kelly.
Click on the book image or button to buy the book for $25 + 50c fee (local delivery is free). All profits go to Kiama Historical Society
Published March 2025 Tony’s 286 page Rascals and respectables book 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. This is LIMITED EDITION, most copies have already been sold.
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 fee (local delivery is free). All profits go to Kiama Historical Society
Events
We’ve a packed program lined up for the the first few months of the year. Alongside our traditional speaker events, we’re out and about visiting historic buildings. A great chance over coffee (or something stronger) to connect with friends old and new.
A night at the museum: the Harbour Pilots’ story
Tony Gilmour. Thursday 19 February, 5 pm for 5.30pm start, Pilot’s Cottage Museum
$10 KHS members only. Includes a glass of wine or beer, and finger food
From 1881 to 1978 Kiama Harbour was controlled by a Pilot who lived with his wife and children in what is now our museum. Tony will tell of the Pilot’s important job and how it contributed to Kiama’s success and prosperity.
Tony and Sue will then lead two tours, one inside and one outside the building. Members will be able to access rooms not open to the public.
We can only welcome 40 people so please email Tony or phone/text him on 0438 520 448 to make a booking. This event is likely to be over-subscribed so confirm early.
Morning tea and talk at historic Barroul House, Kiama
Sue Eggins. Wednesday 25 March, 10 am, Rubia Petal cafe - Barroul House
$15 KHS members only. Includes tea or coffee and cake
Over three decades Sue and KHS have fought to save this historic building. After being allowed to fall into disrepair, it is now a cafe. Sue will tell the story of how the heritage battle was finally won.
Numbers are limited to 25 so please email Sue or phone her on 0413 486 979 if you will be attending. Bookings close on 18 March
Celebrating Jamberoo' s heritage
Stuart Richards. Saturday 18 April, 2 pm, Kiama Library Auditorium
$3 KHS members, $5 guests. Includes afternoon tea
Today’s relaxed country village of Jamberoo was once larger than Kiama. A thriving industrial centre at Woodstock later gave way to dairy production, with Jamberoo pioneering many significant innovations.
Hear how Stuart and other locals plan to share the village’s rich heritage through a series of visual displays.
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.
