Welcome to Shellharbour City Museum

Welcome to our new home at the Shellharbour Civic Centre!

Shellharbour City Museum (formerly Tongarra Museum) is open seven days a week. Visit us to view changing exhibitions and discover all you need to know about your local history and heritage.

Want to know the history of your house, or why Killalea Beach is called The Farm? We can help.

Entry is free!

Our new website can be found here! This blog will not be updated, but new content can be found at our website. 

Thank you for your support and hope to see you at the City Museum!

Our Tongarra Museum has gone into packing up mode as we prepare for our big move to the new City Museum later this year!


With most of our exhibitions packed up, we’re closing our doors from Monday 17 July to help us get ready.


We’ll still be answering your phone and email enquiries so please don’t hesitate to contact us on 4221 6111 or records@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.

Fishing in Shellharbour

Shark catch, Shellharbour. 1900-1910

 
 

Pulling in the fishing net, Shellharbour

Local fishermen on a Shellharbour beach. Nets were hauled in,

loaded in a basket with ice and sent to Sydney markets on the train. c1910

Fish catch at Shellharbour c1910

 

 

 

 

Fishing at Little Lake - c1950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Images are Copyright Shellharbour Image Library

 

 

 

Debutantes of Shellharbour

Many young ladies officially entered the social scene at the Albion Park Show Annual Ball. Local ladies associated with the Show Society were given the honour of officiating as Matron of Honour.

 
 Debutantes, Albion Park c1920

 

 

 

 

 

Albion Park debutantes in the 1950s

 

 

 

 

 

Debutante Valerie Steele in the early 1950s

Val Steele, a long time resident of Shellharbour, married Bernard 'Spud' Costello in 1956. This photo was taken at the Debutante's Ball held in Lake South Public Hall in the early 1950s.

Debutante Joan O'Gorman

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawn Farmer & Des Stubbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy Shellharbour Images