Illawarra Historical Society

Enigma of rail travel in 1885 - free talk - all welcomeDate: Thursday 6 August 2026 Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm Venue: Wollongong City Library, Burelli Street (Level 2)

Did you know that in 1885 it was possible to take a single train from Sydney to Bourke or to Hay or Albury but not to Wollongong? Come and hear rail enthusiast, Ken Neate, solve the conundrum.

Michael Samaras latest book - Jim McNeill and his mates in the Spanish Civil War. Includes images and documents held by the Illawarra Museum. Jim McNeil and his comrade, Joe Carter, lived and worked in Illawarra

MISFORTUNE OR FRAUD - ILLAWARRA AND THE 1840s DEPRESSION by Lorraine Neate. Contains details of 40 local residents who suffered insolvency during Australia's first economic depression. Available at the Museum $30 or $45.00 posted within Australia. Click for ordering de tails

SCANDAL, SLANDER AND INTERFERING WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS - An expose of bad behaviour by some early Illawarra residents. By Lorraine Neate. 190 pages with illustrations. Available at the Museum $30 or $40.00 posted within Australia. Click for details for email ordering

LOST WOLLONGONG - Discover Illawarra history, museums and events. Search over 50,000 images of past and present people, places and events contributed by community members. Add your memories and comments. Click to access the LOST WOLLONGONG site

We respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land; Elders past and present; and extend respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.