Balmoral Village History
Balmoral Village has history which dates back to the mid 1800’s.
Photo: Graham Grocott
Balmoral Village History
Balmoral Village has history which dates back to the mid 1800’s.
Photo: Graham Grocott
Images: Courtesy of Janine King
Balmoral Village was originally settled in the 1878’s along the recently developed Picton-Mittagong line, having recently opened in 1867. At the time, the ‘Big Hill Cutting’ was the deepest hill cutting in Australia.
Originally named ‘Big Hill Siding’ in 1878, before being renamed as part of the township of Bargo in 1881, before named Balmoral in 1888.
The 1891 Census showed the Township of Balmoral to have a total of Twelve houses, housing a total of 36 men and 32 women.
Images: Courtesy of Janine King
Balmoral Village was originally settled in the 1878’s along the recently developed Picton-Mittagong line, having recently opened in 1867. At the time, the ‘Big Hill Cutting’ was the deepest hill cutting in Australia.
Originally named ‘Big Hill Siding’ in 1878, before being renamed as part of the township of Bargo in 1881, before named Balmoral in 1888.
The 1891 Census showed the Township of Balmoral to have a total of Twelve houses, housing a total of 36 men and 32 women.
Images: Courtesy of Janine King & Dorothy Wilkins
Balmoral quickly became its own township including the village hall, a railway station, post office, school and cemetery. The original village hall in 1891, was known as the Mechanics Institute; Contrary to modern definitions the Mechanics Institute was used as a community hall to house free community education for teaching skills, sharing experiences and hosting community events.
The original mechanics institute was destroyed by fire in the 1936, and was rebuilt over 1938/1939, where the existing hall remains today.
A letter from a late resident, Dorothy Brown (Born 1915) from 1988 described the village hall:
Images: Courtesy of Janine King & Dorothy Wilkins
Balmoral quickly became its own township including the village hall, a railway station, post office, school and cemetery. The original village hall in 1891, was known as the Mechanics Institute; Contrary to modern definitions the Mechanics Institute was used as a community hall to house free community education for teaching skills, sharing experiences and hosting community events.
The original mechanics institute was destroyed by fire in the 1936, and was rebuilt over 1938/1939, where the existing hall remains today.
A letter from a late resident, Dorothy Brown (Born 1915) from 1988 described the village hall:
Images: Courtesy of Janine King
Balmoral Village continued to operate as its own township in the coming decades with local business owners working in the surrounding towns such as Mittagong, Bowral, Hill Top & Bargo. The 1891 census showed the population of 68 villagers, many of which worked as Labourers & Fettlers on the Railway, with a small number of farmers & many stay-at-home wives. The local school was completed in 1893.
By 1901, Census showed a total of 104 people.
The town continued to grow, many people living & working on the railway.
In 1919, a new track was opened between Picton and Mittagong, and the old loop line ran a passenger tram through Balmoral Village until 1978, where the line was abandoned. During these years, Balmoral Village school was eventually converted into a home, as well as the original Balmoral post office.
Images: Courtesy of Janine King
Balmoral Village continued to operate as its own township in the coming decades with local business owners working in the surrounding towns such as Mittagong, Bowral, Hill Top & Bargo. The 1891 census showed the population of 68 villagers, many of which worked as Labourers & Fettlers on the Railway, with a small number of farmers & many stay-at-home wives. The local school was completed in 1893.
By 1901, Census showed a total of 104 people.
The town continued to grow, many people living & working on the railway.
In 1919, a new track was opened between Picton and Mittagong, and the old loop line ran a passenger tram through Balmoral Village until 1978, where the line was abandoned. During these years, Balmoral Village school was eventually converted into a home, as well as the original Balmoral post office.
Since its completion in 1939, the existing Balmoral Village Hall has been used by the wider community for all events.
The hall has had a number of renovations and improvements done over the decades, including:
Installation of a swing set, courtesy of the Lions club, 1971
Re-guttering and painting, early 1980s
Rainwater tank installed, 1982
Male & Female mudbrick toilets, mid 1983
Internal cladding, ceiling, lighting & insulation, 1992
New septic system installed, 1995
Post & Rail fence installed, 1998
New water tank installed, 2012
New solar panels installed, 2012
New air conditioning system installed, 2014
Images: Courtesy of Janine King
Since its completion in 1939, the existing Balmoral Village Hall has been used by the wider community for all events.
The hall has had a number of renovations and improvements done over the decades, including:
Installation of a swing set, courtesy of the Lions club, 1971
Re-guttering and painting, early 1980s
Rainwater tank installed, 1982
Male & Female mudbrick toilets, mid 1983
Internal cladding, ceiling, lighting & insulation, 1992
New septic system installed, 1995
Post & Rail fence installed, 1998
New water tank installed, 2012
New solar panels installed, 2012
New air conditioning system installed, 2014
Images: Courtesy of Janine King
Images: Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens
In more recent history, following the devastation of the 2019 Bushfire, the village hall underwent restoration work as part of the Better Homes & Gardens TV series.
Images: Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens
In more recent history, following the devastation of the 2019 Bushfire, the village hall underwent restoration work as part of the Better Homes & Gardens TV series.
Sources:
Janine King, Balmoral Historian
Dorothy Wilkins, previous resident (deceased)
Edith Henley, previous resident (deceased)
Dorothy Brown, previous resident (deceased)
Berrima District Historical & Family History Society
State Library of NSW
NSW Rail & Transport Museum
Better Homes & Gardens
Sources:
Janine King, Balmoral Historian
Dorothy Wilkins, previous resident (deceased)
Edith Henley, previous resident (deceased)
Dorothy Brown, previous resident (deceased)
Berrima District Historical & Family History Society
State Library of NSW
NSW Rail & Transport Museum
Better Homes & Gardens