Gerroa, New South Wales

Gerroa is a coastal town in the

The first white people to visit the area were probably survivors of the shipwreck of Sydney Cove. They passed through this area in 1797. As early as 1814, cedar cutters explored the area around nearby Gerringong. The cedar cutters or "sawyers" as they called themselves were so described:

"... the true pioneers of European civilization. Long and before the farmer or grazier had set foot in those wilds-years prior to the novelty of clearing off and fencing in-the tent of the sawyer was a familiar object to the local blacks. With but few exceptions, the earlier cedar-cutters were convicts out on ticket of leave. Many of the blackest-dyed ruffians of their time were to be found in the ranks of the Illawarra sawyers."

In August 1824, the colonial Governor Thomas Brisbane instructed surveyor James McBrien to survey the land surrounding "Long Nose Point", now known as Black Head Point at Gerroa.

In 1929, Wizard Smith set an Australian land speed record at Seven Mile Beach.^[7] The first recording of a car speed of a hundred miles an hour in Australia was recorded on the beach.

On 11 January 1933 Sir Charles Kingsford Smith undertook his historic first commercial flight from Seven Mile Beach to New Zealand. The Southern Cross took 14 hours and ten minutes to make the journey to New Plymouth. The flight commenced at 2.50 am, watched by a crowd of thousands of visitors and local residents. Some had their car headlights turned on to assist Kingsford-Smith in his take off. A memorial plaque and lookout at Gerroa marks the event.^[7]

Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 673 people in Gerroa. 77.2% of people were born in Australia and 84.3% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 27.3%, No Religion 24.5% and Anglican 18.1%.^[1]

Climate

Gerroa has an

Soils in the area are based on the Gerringong Volcanics, of Permian latite. As well as the volcanically based Budgong Sandstone, both of which produce relatively fertile red/brown soils.^[9] South of the town, by the river and beach the soils are alluvial and sandy.

Notable residents of Gerroa

• Sally Fitzgibbons - Surfer
• Fred Nile - politician^[10]
• Guy Sebastian - Musician Singer/Songwriter (Australian Idol)
• Tyler Wright - Surfer (2016 World Champion)
• John Turtle - Medical academic

References