Cootamundra has a long standing history with records and photographs dating back to as early as the 1800’s. Below are some of the early highlights of Cootamundra’s history courtesy of documents provided to the CDC by the late Beryl Ingold MBE and former member of the CDC Board.

2011

Cootamundra celebrated its Sesquicentenary in style with a huge street parade and community party to celebrate the town’s 150th birthday with the town coming together to mark this momentous milestone one that all generations are sure to remember for years to come

2001

Cootamundra Heritage Centre is established.

1986

Cootamundra Nursing Home opens and today the Nursing Home is also one of Cootamundra’s largest employers.

1982

Catholic School became Sacred Heart Central School.

1980

GM Scott Abattoirs employed just 4 people and processed 15 cattle and 200 lambs per day, today the Abattoirs is one of Cootamundra largest employers.

1977

Centenary Celebrations of Cootamundra to Sydney railway link.

1971

Official opening of reconstructed Town Hall and Administration Office.

1969

EA Southee Public School was opened.

1967

De La Salle School and Sisters of Mercy Convent School integrated fully and became the Catholic High School National Finals of Rodeo first held in Cootamundra.

1961

Cootamundra celebrates its Centenary of proclamation as a town with the community coming together to celebrate with a massive street parade and events as part of the celebrations.

1958

The present High School was opened.

1952

Cootamundra finally won the present name. Since 1860 it had been officially and on Government Department Records – Cootamundry. People first began using the present name as early as 1885.

1942

The Sacred Heart Hospital was opened under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy. On 3 December, the corvette HMAS Cootamundra, named for the town, was launched.

1934

The Convent School was built.

1932

The Ambulance Service in its present form was established Water became available from the South Western Tablelands Water Supply Scheme.

1928

Technical Education with sheep and wool classes commenced.

1924

The town was wired in readiness for electricity.

1920/21

Ross and Keith Smith landed at Cootamundra Aerodrome on their famous flight from England to Australia.

1916

First aeroplane came to Cootamundra.

1913

De La Salle Teaching Brothers commenced school in Cootamundra.

1912

Secondary education facilities were provided.

1911

Beginning as the Cootamundra Hospital, in operation from 1897 to 1910, then reopened in 1911 as the Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls is now referred to as Bimbadeen and is situated on the outskirts of town in Rinkin Street.

1910

The District Hospital was opened.

1908

Donald Bradman (later Sir Donald Bradman) is born in Cootamundra.

1907

The Shire of Jindalee was proclaimed and covered an area of 583 square miles. It was the original Cowcumbla Shire.

1900

The hall was added to the municipal buildings built in 1890 and the building was officially opened in 1901.

1896

Cootamundra Cycling Club was formed. It is probably the oldest continual club in NSW, although as was the case with most clubs it went into recess during the war years.

1895

Cootamundra Golf Course was established and is the oldest country golf course in the state.

1894

The town got its first water supply, pumped from several wells at Hurley’s Springs. The next source of water was Hardy’s Folly Dam, this was used until 1932 when water became available from Burrinjuck Dam.

1892

The gas service was installed by the then Municipal Council.

1889

The first hospital opened.

1885

At Salt Clay Creek (the Gap) the worst rail disaster in Australia’s history (at the time) occurred when 8 people were killed and 45 were injured. The now historic Cootamundra Gaol was built.

1884

The Municipality of Cootamundra was proclaimed and had an area of 3,010 acres. Sir Henry Parkes laid the foundation stone for the old District Hospital

1882

The first show was held on Albert Park. The Convent school under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy was commenced.

1877

The school in Cooper Street (Cootamundra Public School) was commenced on the present site. Commencement of the Cootamundra Herald by Mr Fred Pinkstone Cootamundra was linked by rail to Sydney.

1876

Cootamundra consists of five or six stores, eight hotels, a bank, a large steam flour mill and a small collection of houses. It also has a Police Station, Post Office and Telegraph Office

1875

The first school was commenced in a building 13’ x 30’ on Church Hill (in the vicinity of the present High School). A Telegraph station was opened in the town. A brick and stone church was erected at Jindalee by the Methodist population and is still standing today.

1870

Cootamundra’s first church, a pise building was erected by the Catholic population.

1866

By this time the little village had a population of 100 persons, a Post Office, Police Station and two hotels.

1862

The first town lots were sold at the Police Station at Gundagai. 52 lots were sold the first day and 44 were sold on the second day.

1861

In this year Cootamundra was proclaimed as a town and the first settlers were interested in the pastoral and agricultural potential of the district.

1860

A plan of the proposed village was drawn up. It was to be on the banks of the Muttama Creek and in the vicinity of the flour mill. The site was originally the horse paddock on John Hurley’s station.

1848

John Hurley obtained permission to pasture stock on “Cootamondra Station” which was approximately 49,920 acres in area

If you are fascinated by Cootamundra and its history why not call in to the Cootamundra Heritage Centre and take a personal walk through Cootamundra’s rich history.