User talk:Ntdrumard

Old Court House, Wollongong Wollongong's Old Court House is situated near Belmore Basin on the corner of Harbour Street and Cliff Road. It is one of the area's most significant buildings. With its elegant sandstone portico, this important historical landmark stands out as a rare architectural gem and as an important part of Wollongong's history. Built in 1858, the Old Court House (better known to some as the Drill Hall) is the oldest public building in the area. It is the only survivor from the era then Wollongong Harbour was the focal point and lifeline not only for Wollongong but the whole Illawarra and South Coast area.

The Building has a varied history, one which in many respects mirrors both the history of Wollongong and the wider history of Australia. It was the Court House until 1885, when the increasing clatter of the busy harbour and the general move of the town westward towards the railway, lead to the building of anew court house closer to the new town centre. It then became the Customs House as Wollongong was the third busiest port of entry to the colony of New South Wales.

With Federation the requirement for an intercolonial customs collection and the movement of the port operations to Port Kembla ment that the building ceased to be the Customs House. The new Federation introduced compulsory military training for males and the Australian Army used the building as the local Drill Hall. In 1938, with the Second World War looming, the building was extended and used as the headquarters for the 3rd Battalion Werriwa Regiment. In 1950 the 34th CMF Battalion took over. In 1973, following the end of the Australian involvment in Veitnam and the ending of conscription, the Army moved out; and in 1974 the small Sea Scouts group (now the Naval Reserve Cadets) moved in.

Starting in the 1980's, efforts were made to find alternative accomodation for the cadets, so that the building could be restored. These efforts were eventually successful, and in 1998 Wollongong City Council took over the building.

Since them the building has been restored with the co-operation of the National Trust, the Friends of the Old Court House and the Wollongong City Council.

The building is administered by the Old Court House Management Committee and houses the Illawarra branches of the National Trust and Conservarion Volunteers. Regular users of the building include Keira Toastmasters, Illawarra Family History Group, Illawarra Quilters and other community groups. The hall is hired frequently for activities such as yoga and meditation, art shows, weddings and family gatherings, and other community meetings.