In the early part of the 19th Century the coast between Bulli and North Bulli (Thirroul) was the base for a local whaling industry.

An early Irish freeman and pioneer settler named Cornelius O’Brien had been granted land in the area which he went on to farm and develop. He then turned his attentions to the sea.

“The only place for a boat harbour is near where the old Bulli jetty was built and if it was only 400 yards or so from the house and barns, the (O’Brien) house must have been near the point. A dot on the roadside in Mitchell's map of the area also shows it to be near there. The point is now wrongly called Sandon Point but is Bulli Point on the map”.

“He (O’Brien) apparently continued with his shipbuilding pursuits for the Australian on October 28, 1831, expansively stated, "We are exceedingly gratified to find that Mr. Cornelius O'Brien of Illawarra, who has built several vessels there, intends commencing a whaling establishment by boats immediately. For this purpose, he has several boats well equipped and manned, chiefly by native lads with all the necessary gear and apparatus”.

“He (O’Brien) could never have had anything approaching such a set up (as Byron Bay), but despite it all, whales must have been caught and treated for the odour was commented upon by various residents and the sheds used for the purpose remained where they were built for many years afterwards”.

The common practice at the time was to beach the whale before dismembering the carcass, which was then rendered in large urns to extract the oil from the blubber. This valuable commodity was used for candle making and processing jute and leather.

With respect, this painting is my response to the events and the people from the past who have shaped this part of the Illawarra.

Bibliography

Cornelius O'Brien - Pioneer of Bulli

N. S. King

Illawarra Historical Society

University of Wollongong Research Online

Historical & Cultural Collections

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