How Steam Navigation Linked South East NSW to the World!
Exhibition Wed 6 Sep – Sat 28 Oct
Curation Team at work mounting the display panels for the exhibition.
New travelling exhibition explores the history of steamship navigation and its important contribution to the development of the South Coast. The Moruya Museum has added some objects – such as the fascinating diaries of Captain Ross who piloted ships through the dangerous Moruya Heads.
Founded in 1858, the Illawarra Steam Navigation Company tells a story spanning almost 100 years, revealing the fascinating history surrounding shipping’s role in creating a vital link to the rest of the world. Given that the South Coast boasted such a rich supply of produce and natural resources, ports in the region became integral to the state’s economic and social story.
Pigs and passengers travelled together, while captains faced the dangerous job of navigating uncharted waters and coastlines. There were high seas and high dramas, with some miraculous rescues, and tragic losses.
THE ILLAWARRA & SOUTH COAST STEAM SHIP COMPANY CO., Ltd.
Extracted from the Moruya Examiner 12 Feb 1921
The fine new passenger and cargo Steamers “Benandra” AND “Bodalla” especially built for the MORUYA TRADE, will maintain a REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICE between SYDNEY and MORUYA and vice versa (weather and other circumstances permitting) as follows: From Moruya to Sydney – EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON or SUNDAY MORNING as tide permits. From Sydney to Moruya – EVERY WEDNESDAY.
This exhibition was funded by a Create NSW grant, is managed by South East Arts and features exhibition design by locally-based Workhorse Design, with considerable input and contributions from the combined museum community of the South Coast and hinterland
MORUYA and District Historical Society Blog 
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