Charles Throsby Smith

Charles Throsby Smith (1 March 1798 – 25 September 1876) was an English-born Australian explorer who led the first British expedition to what became Canberra, and a pioneer settler whose land grant became Wollongong. He played a significant role during the settlement's first few decades, making him a founding figure for the city.

Early life

The party, the first to reach the Limestone Plains, were the first Europeans to discover limestone in Australia. The newly-weds moved to the estate in the same year with four government-assigned convicts, becoming the first settlers in the area.

A barn on the property, located near Wollongong Harbour, became the first local schoolhouse in 1826, and then the first church in 1828. In 1842, he purchased the steamer Sophia Jane for use as a regular trading vessel between Sydney and Wollongong. She was wrecked in 1845, re-floated and subsequently laid up, with her engine installed in the Phoenix.

He was involved in local politics, serving first as a member of the Illawarra District Council. Upon the Municipality of Wollongong's establishment in 1859, he was elected as an alderman.

Smith was sworn in as a magistrate in 1844.

He donated land to several denominations, including the land upon which St. Michael's Church was built. His obituary in the Illawarra Mercury commented on the early part he played in the development of the South Coast:Prior to his death, Mr. Smith was not only the "oldest inhabitant" of this district, but, what was still more remarkable and interesting, his residence at Wollongong was coeval with the history of the settlement of Illawarra and the whole of the South Coast districts from its very earliest date.