Tulkeroo & Butter Factory at Albion Park

We receive many questions from the local community wanting to know more about the old buildings in Shellharbour, so we aim to include more information in our posts on some of the most recognised historic buildings in the area. This week we feature 'Tulkeroo'.

‘Tulkeroo’ homestead was built as a manager's residence for the first Albion Park Butter Factory. John Fraser was the first manager and the factory opened c.1885 as a cooperative effort by local farmers.

All that remains of the original butter factory, next to the homestead, is a small wooden structure used as a garage. A meeting was held in regards to the establishment of a Butter Factory at Bendon’s Hotel in Albion Park on July 31st 1884 with Mayor Armstrong in the chair. A six-acre site beside the Macquarie River near the crossing to North Macquarie and Calderwood was secured for 300 pounds and 425 shares were taken up.  The Albion Park Dairy Factory began operations on Tuesday, November 10, 1885.

The building was designed and erected by DL Waugh, and had six cream separators driven by a 16-horsepower steam engine. It was central to suppliers in Albion Park, Calderwwod, Marshall Mount and South Dapto.

World War One memorabilia

Warilla Library recently hosted a 'Scan and Share' day to collect local World War One memorabilia and stories that will be included in the upcoming 'Illawarra Remembers' website.

The website will include histories and artefacts that tell the stories of the Illawarra World War One soldiers and the friends and families they left behind.

We received copies of some wonderful treasures including this card send from Jim Jenkins to his mother.

If you have any World War One memorabilia of stories of ancestors from the Shellharbour area we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Tongarra Museum - (02) 4256 6698, or email records@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au



Congratulations OAM's

Shellharbour City Libraries and Museum congratulates our fantastic Museum Volunteers, Kevin and Dot Gillis who have recently been awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

Great work at Killalea State Park

Killalea State Park has been involved in some great projects over the past couple of months.

The park has recently relocated a Scarred Tree of great importance to the local Aboriginal community from a quarry site at Dunmore, to the entrance of Killalea State Park. This project was a joint effort by Killalea State Park, Boral Quarry, The Illawarra Aboriginal Lands Council and NPWS. More work is still to be done to ensure protection of the tree but it has been a great effort so far to ensure this significant part of local history is preserved for future generations. Well done to all.



Killalea State Park have also been working with Illawarra Youth Landcare to maintain the land around the park and connect young people with the environment. This short documentary captures the stories of young volunteers who give thier time to contribute to environmental restoration in the Illawarra. Great job guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZae-fwYt2U&feature=youtu.be