In 2026, celebrated the centenary of the first auction of the 280 blocks of land in Werri Beach. This was an initiative of local dairy farmer James Muir Miller. The development was certainly ahead of its time as it was marketed primarily to prospective buyers from Sydney as a holiday destination.
At the first auction only 18 blocks were sold mainly to locals. It took some 20 years for the blocks to sell. If only those early buyers had known how desirable land at Werri Beach would become. Not to mention the international Tiktok sensation that the view over Werri Beach has recently become.
The estate is surrounded on three sides by the ocean and Werri Lagoon and is effectively a peninsula making it easier to define this historic area. GDHS mounted an exhibition at the Gerringong Library, Museum and gallery complex drawing on old photos, items from their collection and material loaned by the State Library of NSW and the Eden Killer Whale Museum plus items from local residents.
There was a self guided walking tour of Werri Beach where visitors were able to view corflutes outside houses and sites of interest featuring old photos and stories with the aid of a map.
The main part of the centenary celebration was the production of a 200 page book titled Werri Beach – Celebrating 100 years. The book contains history, profiles of artists who lived and painted at Werri and stories and photos provided by local and former residents. It is effectively a social history of the development of a small coastal community over the past 100 years. These stories were incorporated into a beautiful book by the amazing graphic designer Melissa Mylchreest of King Street Press.
Keen to know more? The newly published Werri Beach – Celebrating 100 years contains
history, profiles of artists who lived and painted at Werri and stories and photos provided by local and former residents. It is effectively a social history of the development of a small coastal community over the past 100 years. These stories were incorporated into a beautiful book by graphic designer Melissa Mylchreest of King Street Press.
For more information, follow @gerringongheritagemuseum
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