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Old Court House Wollongong The Old Court House is at the corner of Harbour Street and Cliff Road Wollongong and is the oldest surviving public building in the Illawarra. The Old Court House was constructed in 1858 and was used as the legal and administrative centre of Wollongong until it was replaced by the new Court House in 1885. The Old Court House was then used as the Customs House for the third busiest port in the colony of NSW until customs was moved to Port Kembla in 1903. With the federation of Australia there was no longer state imposed customs duty and the Commonwealth took over the building and it was used as the Army Drill Hall from 1904 to 1973. The 34th Battalion Australian Army was stationed here and during the World Wars the Old Court House was the centre for military operations to protect the Ports and manufacturing sectors in the Illawarra. After the Commonwealth no longer used the hall it was turned over to the Naval Cadets in 1974. The Navel Cadets relocated in 1999. Wollongong City Council now owns the property which is administered by the Old Court House Management Committee.

The symmetrical building was designed by Alexander Dawson. A small extension was added in 1866 and the South Eastern range of rooms was added in 1938. The original 1880's Customs shed was moved from Brighton Lawn and is now located at the back of the Old Court House. A munitions shed from Garden Island Naval Dockyard is also located at the rear of the building. Between 1998 and 2002 the building was restored.

The heritage of the Building has been acknowledged by the National Trust as being of State significance. The entire precinct of the original Government Reserve in Harbour Street Wollongong is suggested as a Conservation Area under Wollongong City Council.

The Old Court House is used by community organisations such as the National Trust (Illawarra and Shoalhaven branch), Illawarra Family History Group, Keira Toastmasters, Illawarra Quilters, embroidery groups, Porcelain artists, Wollongong Garden Club, Traditional Art group etc and is hired by individuals and groups for weddings, art shows and exhibitions.