preserving the stories and remnant cultural heritage scattered across the mountain slopes and foothills of Mount Kembla
Jumbulla, that high place
Hat Hill
Kembla & Cordeaux History
1902 Mt Kembla
Mine Disaster
Community links and Resources
HELLO THERE!
Mount Kembla is the highest mountain in the Illawarra escarpment west of Wollongong and approximately 60 km south of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. On northern slope of the mountain along the banks of American Creek the village of Mt Kembla emerged in the 1840s-50s as an agricultural settlement. The discovery of oil bearing shale and coal soon transformed the rural outpost into a remote mining village. The heritage listed village of Kembla Heights, remains to this day a company owned village and retains for the most part its historic and rustic charm.
Kembla Jottings collects images and stories of the mountain and its foothills, including the suburbs of: Kembla Heights and the Cordeaux River Valley; South Kembla and Farmborough Heights; Cordeaux Heights and Unanderra; and Central Kembla and Figtree. Through the collective efforts of the jotters on our Kembla Jottings Facebook page we've been able to obtain a better understanding of our past. With our history currently scattered throughout public and private collections, this web page seeks to bring them all together in one place, linking you back to original sources while making the historical narrative more easily accessible. We do this with a view to promoting the preservation of our remaining cultural heritage.
This treasured landscape is our inheritance left to us from those that came before us,
tread lightly and leave it unspoiled for those that will come after us.
Comments about Kembla Jottings
"Many thanks for all that information; greatly appreciated, thanks Georgina. You're a treasure."
January 2021, Yvonne
"Just wanted to say to all of you who work so hard to keep all the memories alive, thank you so much. Have an amazing beautiful day"
July 2020, Kerry
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"My Grandfather... he absolutely loved everything about Mount Kembla and told me soo much about [his family] and his life up there. Unfortunately he passed away almost 1yr ago I always went to him and showed him posts from this page.
Feb 2019, Kylie
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"My compliments on a very lovely informative and beautifully constructed presentation. As Mt Kembla's newest resident, be assured I will take a very keen interest in local history and hope to learn much from your learned
researchers. "
August 2018, Steve
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"you have a great history it is good to tell and remind people of it" "great post - keep them coming"
July 2017, Noel Taylor
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"You have a very interesting site; I look in for any new posts regularly. Best wishes" March 2017, Kath Anne
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"Thanks for the info, will put up the family history tomorrow . I'm the last person left who knows anything about the family so now it won't be lost" May 2015, Kay
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"Really enjoyed finding Kembla Jottings.....I will follow with interest" September 2014, Dianne
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"Great page, I have learnt a lot about the area " May 2014, Geoff
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"Thank you very much for all the information and photos. It is great to read about all the history of Mt Kembla."
September 2013, Julie
Kembla Jottings
Kembla Jottings
CONTACT
Cover images of Mount Kembla from the State Library of Victoria, photographer John Henry Harvey (1855-1938).