MORUYA
Moruya is a bit of a surprise town.
Firstly, because most people will not have heard of the place, but
secondly because this a pretty fantastic place. Heritage plus a big
chunk of influence with Australia’s greatest icon; the Sydney Harbour
Bridge. An amazing fact.
The name
Moruya is derived from an Indigenous Australian word, mherroyah,
meaning "home of the black swan". Black swans can still be seen in the
lakes and rivers around Moruya, and the black swan is used locally as
an emblem.

The first
European settler was Francis Flanagan from Ireland who settled at
Shannon View in 1829. The town centre was surveyed in 1850 and the
town gazetted in 1851. Moruya was proclaimed a municipality in 1891.
The Moruya
Quarry became known as the Government Quarry, opened in 1876 on the
northern bank of the Moruya River. From 1925 to 1932, the Harbour
Bridge works saw 250 stonemasons employed. The Moruya Quarry is still
operated by the New South Wales Department of Infrastructure, Planning
and Natural Resources. A cenotaph acknowledges this contribution.

Other local
industries were timber getting, gold mining, dairying and of course
the quarrying for granite.
The Catholic   
and Anglican
Churches
are fabulous and classic examples of the era. The United likewise a
100 year building.
The main street
of Moruya is enchanting and there are points of interest at every few
metres.     
The hotels also
are of interest. All are classics and without exception the exteriors
and interiors are full of history.   
The Moruya
Museum is open most days. The Museum has all the details and facts
from the earlier days.
The War Memorial is
located and acknowledged at the RSL_small.JPG)
and surrounds.
Moruya most
likely will not feature on the visit list. Be sure to stay over and
enjoy.
Heritage diary 
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