Hindmarsh Founding Orphans

This is the story behind the plaque erected in Hindmarsh Park, Kiama, dedicated to the ‘Founding orphans of Kiama’ - the original three Hindmarsh siblings that were instrumental in the early development of Kiama and Gerringong.

The Hindmarsh siblings were born in England at the turn of the 19th century. After the death of their parents, three of the Hindmarsh children eventually emigrated to Australia over a 20-year period and settled in Gerringong and Kiama.

The first to arrive in Australia was Michael Hindmarsh, in 1822, aged 22. In 1826, he married Celia Sophia Rutter, and in 1827 he was granted an estate in Gerringong, which he named ‘Alne Bank’. Michael was a pioneer in the local agriculture and forestry industries, and established the Illawarra Agricultural Society and the Kiama Show Society. He was also a travelling magistrate, and was influential when it came to getting roads commissioned. Michael and Celia had 14 children together, the fourth child of which was Mayor of Kiama eight times. The ‘Alne Bank’ home has remained in the family to this day, for six generations.

Michael's older brother, George, emigrated in 1839 and became the first postmaster of Kiama. He was also a Kiama alderman. George had his hand in many businesses, and he farmed a 5-acre block on Collins Street, called Rose Bank. George died in 1871. Although George never married, Rose Bank House remained in his brother's family for many years.

Michael Nesbitt Hindmarsh, mayor of Kiama from 1893 and an alderman for the previous 22 years, lived in the home, and later his son, Nesbit Evans Hindmarsh, lived there till his death in 1950. Nesbit was also on Kiama Council from 1911-1928, and was one of the foundation members of the Kiama Bowling Club. Nesbit and his sons owned the Kiama Motors located on the corner of Collins and Terralong streets (since replaced by Centrepoint Arcade).

George and Michael had a sister, Hannah, who arrived in 1845, and she established the first private school for girls in Kiama, called ‘Rosebank School’ (the school was located on the land that George had been farming in Collins Street).

Rose Bank House in Collins Street was demolished in 1982 to make way for a block of units and a Jewel supermarket. The units in Collins Street remain today, but the supermarket has since been replaced by more units and smaller retail businesses on the corner of Terralong Street and Rosebank Place.

In addition to the plaque, in 1967, Kiama’s main central park itself was named Hindmarsh Park to honour 'communal services rendered to the Municipality' by Michael Nesbit Hindmarsh, Nesbit Evans Hindmarsh and Alfred Neil Hindmarsh.

This photo is from the book by Diana Hindmarsh."1st Generation at Alne Bank: Michael and Cecelia Sophia Hindmarsh"

The rear side of Rosebank House looking north c.1920s

Kiama Motor Works, Terralong St c.1950s. Now Centrepoint Arcade.

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