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The Thin Blue Line's Information Section
 

 

 

 

A Step Back In Time - OUR CENTURY - in the Eurobodalla Shire

The Blue Bar of the Law

Here is a list of years and the major events that happened in this Shire:

1900 Moruya - December - Second bridge (with cast iron piers) opened for traffic, replacing the old wooden bridge.
1901 Francis Guy's sawmill at Batemans Bay was purchased by John and Albert Perry.
1902 Moruya - New town wharf built nearer to the bridge, replacing the shore street wharf. First steamer to dock was the S.S Murray.  Perry Bros bought Guy's sawmill and set up John Perry Turning and Spoke Factory. Batemans Bay - Whooping cough still continues to claim lives.
1903 October 24. The two storey Batemans Bay Police Station-Courthouse was destroyed by fire. Batemans Bay, Nelligen and Narooma - Toll system instituted at punts at river crossings.
1904 Moruya Steam Navigation Company goes into liquidation. Formed 1892 due to dissatisfaction with transport costs. Claims to have forced a reduction in freight and passenger rates by two-thirds.
1905 October 14. A new single story Courthouse-Police residence was opened at Batemans Bay.
1906 Blandford House, a modern guesthouse was erected in main street of Batemans Bay. Eurobodalla Shire Council proclaimed by State Government. First President was W.H Simpson.
1907 A Post Office was opened at Runnyford. Batemans Bay - Lioness escaped from Peroni's Circus. Bay and Nelligen - Severe drought forces both centres to import water by ship.
1908 Batemans Bay - Perry's Factory was burnt to the ground.  Moruya - Mr A.H Weatherby, chemist, bought an 18h.p. Ford motor car - the first in town.
1909 Mogo and Moruya - The first branches of the Australian Labour party established.
1910 Moruya to Nowra - February - A ten passenger motor bus service commenced, in competition with the Bega to Nowra run already established.
1911 May - St Bernard's Roman Catholic Church opened.  Moruya - November - Telephone exchange installed at Post Office. There were nine subscribers.
1912 Moruya - A branch of the Timber Getters and Sawmill Employees Union formed.
1913 Referendum held regarding amalgamation of Moruya Municipal Council and Eurobodalla Shire Council - Result - Overwhelming vote in favour.
1914 Merger of municipal and Shire Councils.
1915 The Church of Ascension Anglican Church in Beach Road was opened. A new motor powered punt commenced services across the Clyde River at Batemans Bay.
1916 A new Methodist Church was opened to serve the Batemans Bay district.
1917 January 23. Land at the southern end of Batemans Bay township was dedicated for a general cemetery.   December 26. The Batemans Bay Honour Stone was unveiled by Mrs J Barclay. Conscription - District again voted "NO".
1919 Machinery is being laid down for a sawmill at Mogo. Moruya - November - Lieut. J.S.L Ross of Moruya, WW1 flying ace was killed, together with his co-pilot, when taking part in an air race from England to Australia.
1920 Another fire at the rebuilt Perry's factory. Repairs at a cost of 300 pounds were carried out by Harry Dunne. October 19. The Princes Highway named in honour of the then Prince of Wales.
1921 The Nelligen Honour Stone was unveiled by Sir Austin Chapman. Moruya - March - A flying boat owned by a Mr. (Aeronaut) Hordern alighted on the river, causing great excitement.
1922 Moruya Progress Association erected three kerosene street lights in the commercial district. 
1924 Perry's factory commenced manufacturing meat skewers at the rate of one million per week. Steamship "Benandarah" wrecked on Moruya bay. One passenger was drowned.
1925 Albert Perry designed a new spindle for use by the PMG Department. Perry's Factory produced more than a million of the spindles in the first year.  Devastating Flood throughout the district in May. The river rose to two feet above the decking of Moruya Bridge. Granitetown - Village established to provide homes for 90 Scottish quarrymen brought out, with consent of the appropriate unions, by J. Gilmour of Dorman Long and Co. Granitetown soon attained a population of over 300. It had a post office, co-op, store, school, and public hall. When work for the Harbour Bridge finished in 1931, most workers left the district.
1928  Reverend Benson, the Rector of Bodalla, and his wife and four children were in a car that plunged into the Clyde river at the punt crossing. Mrs Benson and the children were drowned. 
1929 Batemans Bay - Steam driven punt installed. 
1930  The Batemans Bay Racecourse saw more use by golfers than racegoers from the early 1930s. 
1931  A picture theatre owned by Ken Annetts opened for business in Batemans Bay. Moving pictures had been shown in various halls around the district for many years. Moruya - The decline of Granitetown, as work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge was completed.
1932  Moruya - February - Public meeting called to form a Surf Club. Leo de Saxe was first president. Club became active during 1933. Name was later changed to Moruya Surf Lifesaving Club. 
1934 District population: Batemans Bay 450, Mogo 240, Nelligen 353.  Perry's woodworking factory produced its last lot of wooden wagon wheel fittings in 1934. The factory worked through the Depression, and played a major role in keeping the district viable. 
1935  Leo Fenning and Les Latty formed a Surf Life Saving Club at what is now known as Surf Beach. Extensive alterations were carried out to the Batemans Bay Post Office. 
1936  Big Game Fishing - March - Zane Grey, operating out of Batemans Bay, set a world record with a catch of a 1036 pound tiger shark. This shark was actually caught outside Sydney Heads. 
1939  January 14. The south coast was ravaged by bushfires. A small shop and many houses were destroyed at Nelligen. Moruya - The aerodrome opened. 
1940  Due to a diphtheria outbreak at close of the school year, Public school children were unable to have their usual Christmas break-up. It was held the following year in 1941. 
1942  Bush fires destroy mill and homes in district. Blandford house was saved from fire. Diphtheria has once again hit our area. Moruya - RAAF Base established. 
1945  April - Floods throughout the whole area. Moruya Bridge destroyed. A pontoon was installed for vehicles. Council organised a ferry for people. Punt holed and sunk. Relief punt built. 
1946  Moruya - Eurobodalla Shire Council voted 20,000 pounds to establish a town water supply for Moruya by 1954. 
1947  Approval is given to the raising of non-official Post Office at Batemans Bay to official standing. Batemans Bay population recorded as 875. 
1948  January - Preliminary construction work commenced on the Batemans Bay bridge. An intermittent electricity supply was available to the town, supplied by a contracted diesel powered generating set. Moruya and Batemans Bay - Illawarra Steam Navigation Company recommenced a weekly service, under several owners continued until 1955. 
1950  Electricity was supplied to Batemans Bay township proper via a "feeder" system from Moruya. The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club was established with a membership of about 300. 
1952 Serious bushfires throughout shire in January. Cyclonic rain caused flooding in June. Batemans Bay ferry ceased running.
1953 A lawn bowling club was established in Batemans Bay. Perry's woodturning factory staff numbers 65. There are 80 different types of wooden handles being made on the premises. November 30. The relocated Batemans Bay Primary School officially opened. The school is located on land once owned by Patrick O'Hehir.
1954 Moruya - New District Hospital opened - Cost 180,000 pounds plus equipment worth 12,000 pounds. The first store at modern Broulee was built from part of the old Moruya hospital. 
1955 A town water supply to Batemans Bay and Batehaven was connected. Moruya - School became an Intermediate High School. First Leaving certificate class held.
1956 November 21. The Batemans Bay Bridge was officially opened by JB Renshaw, the Minister for Local Government and Highways. Moruya - R.&M Louttit commenced publication of the Moruya Advertiser.
1958 Electricity was connected to North Batemans Bay.
1959 Emmott's build new store in Vulcan Street around the original hundred year old store, which, together with the attached residence, was demolished after the new store was built.
1960 October 29. The new Soldiers Club building was officially opened by Lt. Gen HG Edger. Moruya - town wharf removed and new, (present) wharf and launching ramp built. Moruya - Neale Lavis welcomed home from the Rome Olympics after winning silver in the equestrian event and gold in the team event, on 'Mirrabooka'.
1961 Electricity was connected to Nelligen. The population of Batemans Bay is recorded as 1,183.
1962 Emmot's Stores opened a branch at Batemans Bay, in a building constructed at a cost of 45,000 pounds.
1963 The Batemans Bay Bowling Club had a new clubhouse erected at a cost of 45,000 pounds. Flooding - April - Clyde and Moruya Rivers.
1964 December 11. The Nelligen Bridge was officially opened by PD Hills. It replaced the car ferry service that carried 7500 vehicles in 1954 and more than 30,000 in 1963.
1965 Batemans Bay - Ambulance Service established. Moruya - a public swimming pool opened.
1966 November 19. The Batemans Bay War Memorial Swimming Pool was opened by JG Beale, Minister for conservation. Moruya's Fourth Bridge opened.
1968 Drought - Shire wide water restrictions implemented. June 1. Moruya - Percy Davis (tribal name Narramurrao) died. He is buried in the Moruya Cemetery.
1969 Batemans Bay and Mogo Primary Schools celebrated their centenaries in this year.
1970 November 28. The Batemans Bay Hospital, built at a cost of $700,000 officially opened. Mr and Mrs A Royall issued first edition of the Southern Star. Moruya 's High School opened costing $3m.
1973 Batemans Bay population recorded as 2776. May - Floods hit Moruya, Mogo, Batemans Bay, Kiora. Parts of the road near Moruya airport washed away. 1000 sandbags filled to save Moruya Surf Club.
1974 Moruya - Mrs Thelma Reid gained election as a Councillor, the first woman to have ever done so.
1976 Population Batemans Bay 1844, Batehaven 953, Surf Beach 301,
1977 July 25. The Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society was formed. Foundation present A Benfield. Moruya - An out-centre of Nowra Technical College opened.
1978 November 18. New accommodation at the Batemans Bay Primary School was opened by John Hatton, Local State Member of Parliament. School principal Mr C Wedd.
1979 Batemans Bay population recorded as 2134.  December 1, the Malua Bay Bowling Club officially opened. Moruya River flooded.
1981 Construction commenced on Deep Creek Dam. January 10, John Hatton, state MP, officiated at the opening of the Learn to Swim Pool at the Batemans Bay Memorial Pool. November 38. The Batemans Bay bypass was officially opened by Eric Bedford. Moruya - Eurobodalla Shire Library Service commenced.
1982 November 21. St Bernard's Catholic Primary School at Casey's Beach officially opened. Moruya - May - Community Access Radio station 2EAR FM conducted first test broadcast. Euroballa Shire Council dismissed by Minister for Local Government. Administrator appointed.
1983 Stage One of the foreshore walkway was completed. June - Deep Creek Dam project completed. Bay Picture Theatre demolished to make way for a new commercial development in town centre. December 18. Several businesses in the new Citi-Centre complex open. Built on the site of the old picture theatre, Citi-Centre incorporates the new Batemans Bay Cinema.
1984 Work commenced on a new Police Station and Courthouse complex in Orient Street Batemans Bay. The heating of the Bay Pool is done. Bay Aboriginal Land Council formed. July 7. Preliminary construction work commenced on a new shopping complex at the northern end of the town. Bridge Plaza opened its doors for business on Tuesday, November 27.
1985 April 10. Sunshine Bay Primary School was occupied from this day. Children started the year in shared accommodation with Bay Primary School. First principal Mr R Unwin. July 18. The Hon Terry Sheahan, Attorney General of NSW, officiated at the opening of the new Batemans Bay Courthouse.
1986 April 12. Almost 12 months to the day following occupation, Sunshine Bay Primary was officially opened by Mr RB Winder, the Director General of Education. Perry's Mill site demolished for new development. August 23. The Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society opened an historical display in the old Courthouse/Police residence. September 7. The Foundation Stone of the new Church of Ascension in Batemans Bay was laid by Bishop Bruce Wilson, the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. October 4. The Kings Highway was closed between Batemans Bay and Nelligen following a freak hailstorm. The road was blanketed by 150mm of hailstones for 3km. November. The Uniting Church celebrated the opening of their worship centre at Hanging Rock.
1987 April 10. The Eurobodalla Coast Visitors Centre at Batemans Bay was opened by Michael Cleary, state minister for Tourism. Moruya - New cattle sale-yards opened at industrial centre north of town. Old yards demolished to make way for a new TAFE College. August 20. The new administration block at St Bernards Catholic Primary School was blessed by Father Byrne, Parish Priest.
1988 April 11. The new Bay High School was occupied. The school had shared accommodation with the pupils at Moruya High School for some time. Founding principal Mr S Hooper. April 17. Heritage week Sunday, Blandford House built in 1906 as a guest-house and situated in the heart of the township was demolished. It had been acquired by Council.
1989 Fenning Place was opened in Orient Street, Batemans Bay.
1990 Moruya-Mackay Community Centre for the Aged, a Shire Council building, opened. Connected to the Memorial Hall, which Council rented from the RSL.
1994 Broulee Primary School opened.
1995 Museum Place, where the Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society opened. Carroll College also opened this year.
1997 July 19 - The new Batemans Bay Community Centre was opened. The Southern Star and the Bay Post amalgamated under the Rural Press banner.
1999 Third set of traffic lights in Batemans Bay, were erected on Beach Road, near the Catalina Club. $1.8 million Batemans Bay Library and Education Centre was opened.