1791 March
Discovery of coal near Newcastle by escaped convicts. The first reported find of coal in the colony.
1796 March
Reference to coal included in a report by Flinders on his voyage to this area on the “Tom Thumb”
1797(a) Feb
The ship “Sydney Cove” on way from Capetown to Port Jackson storm-damaged and beached on Furneaux group of islands in Bass Strait. No loss of life.
1797(b) May
Five surviving men of the original twelve, who set out to reach Port Jackson, build a fire near Austinmer beach, using coal.
1797(c) August
Dr. George Bass confirms the presence of coal at Coalcliff as reported by the survivors of the ship ‘Sydney Cove’.
1810
1815
Charles Throsby organizes for his stock to be driven from Liverpool to the coast near Bulli.
1817
Governor Macquarie refers to native name ‘Illawarra’ for area previously known as “Five Islands”
1820
1822
Visit to the Illawarra by Governor Macquarie.
1828 (a)
Australian Agricultural Company (AAC) negotiates a monopoly for coal mining in the Colony.
1828(b)
Samples of coal from Thirroul taken to Sydney by James Shoobert.
1830
1831
James Cunningham establishes a shipyard at Basin at Wollongong.
1835
The Mount Keira Road laid out and constructed by convict labour.
1839(a)
An application made by Capt. Westmacott to mine coal at Bulli opposed by the AAC.
1839(b)
Rev. W. B. Clark, Geologist, commences examination of the South Coast coal measures.
1840
1841
The Australian Mining Co. reports intention to start coal mining. Opposed by the AAC..
1844
First stage of Harbour Basin at Wollongong completed.
1847(a)
Another attempt to mine coal at Bulli made by Capt. Westmacott.
1847(b)
Reverend .W.B. Clark describes coal measures at Mt. Keira, Bellambi and Towradgi.
1848
The AAC monopoly to mine coal in the Colony extinguished.
1849(a)
Coal mine opened at Mt. Keira by Capt. James Shoobert.
1849(b)
Coal delivered from the Mt Keira mine to be loaded on the “William the Fourth” at Wollongong Harbour..