Fuller Family
George Laurence Fuller was born in 1832 in Dunmore, County Galway, Ireland. His family came to Australia when he was a child. In 1859, George married Sarah Miller (of Renfrew Park) from Gerringong. They moved to Kiama where George bought the general store, which eventually became the largest business in Kiama.
In 1865, George bought some land on the Minnamurra River which he named Dunmore, after his home town in Ireland. George and Sarah raised 12 children in this home. He sold his general store business in 1868 so as to concentrate all his attention on his new property. By 1880, he became the largest land owner in the district, eventually ending up with about 9000 acres of land.
George believed in giving back to the community, and in 1907 one of his donations was the organ in the Presbyterian Church in Kiama, which is still in use today. He also put a lot of money into the hospital at Kiama.
George's oldest son, George Warburton Fuller (1861-1940), became the Acting Premier of NSW in 1917 for 6 months and then NSW Premier in 1921 and from 1922-1925. During his time as Premier, George opened the Memorial Arch in Kiama on ANZAC Day 1925, which was built in honour of his brother Major Colin Fuller and all the soldiers from the area.
The original Minnamurra Railway Station was built purposefully for the use of Dunmore House and was located on the north side of the river opposite the gates of Dunmore House. The platform was opened in December 1891. In 1923 there was an investigation into extending some of the Illawarra platforms, and a train guard suggested that the current Minnamurra platform was only servicing one home and the station should be moved to the south side of the river to service the growing settlement of Minnamurra Village. In 1943 the new Minnamurra station was brought into use.
Minnamurra School House, Swamp Rd
Dunmore House (front view
Minnamurra Station when it was located outside Dunmore House
