The Catholic community of Gerringong gathered on Sunday, 24 August to commemorate the 143rd anniversary of the start of services at the Church on the Hill.

St Mary’s Star of the Sea, on the corner of Fern Street and Jupiter Street, was placed on the NSW Heritage Register in 2011.

The foundation stone was laid in November 1875, but the church was not completed until 1882. An earlier wooden schoolhouse and chapel was constructed on the same site in 1864 with the school closing in 1871.

From 1866, the Catholic community hosted an annual Picnic and Sports Day for non-denominational district entertainment.

This ran for 63 years until August 1929, and at times since then. The first of many news reports is in The Kiama Independent of Thursday, 22 August 1867: “The arrangements for a day’s recreation and amusement were excellent, and all present seemed intent upon making the best of a treat so rare in this tame locality.

“Running, jumping, throwing weights, and numerous other athletic sports were engaged in by those desirous of displaying their muscular strength and agility, while others betook themselves to cricket, drop-handkerchief, kiss-in-the-ring and dancing to the enlivening strains of a well-played violin which was kept up throughout the day in a large marquee erected for the occasion.

“At two o’clock, the company sat down in real picnic fashion to an excellent repast provided for them: the usual abundant supply of tea, cake, sandwich, ham, roast fowls, turkeys.

“An evening social function is first recorded in 1875 after the Catholic picnic took place at the chapel paddock.

“Many availed themselves of an evening’s pastime at the soiree at night”, held at the late residence of William Connor at Toolijoua, “which was not over till daylight did appear”.

In 1878, “the number that sat down to tea or dinner could not have been much less than 400”.

“Before and after tea the company betook themselves to the various kinds of amusements such as dancing, foot-racing, jumping, and other athletic games; while others, principally young gents with their ‘girls’, went for a walk towards the Boatharbour, there to perhaps study the language of the heart.”

Races were handicapped. The “big handicap” prize of 15 shillings went to J. Greenwood, with a similar prize to C. Harding for the “maiden plate”.

By 1893, the evening festivity was advertised as a Grand Ball, although in 1894 it was called merely a “social”, and was held at the School of Arts in Blackwood Street, attended by about 50 couples.

“The costumes worn by the ladies were pretty and becoming”, for example: “Miss Kiley, pink crepon and green silk; Miss R. Carew, black silk and buttercup; Miss Shortis, cream crepon and buttercup; Miss M. Devery, black merveilleux and heliotrope; Miss E. Devery, cream cashmere and green velvet; Miss F. Allen, pink and spangled net; Miss M. Carew, creased muslin and cardinal roses; Miss O’Keefe, black and green velvet; Miss Walsh, buttercup pongee and cardinal; Miss N. Hanrahan, white muslin and lace; Miss E. Hanrahan, buttercup and crepon; Misses Taylors (2), black and jet; Miss Carroll, black and buttercup; Miss Foley, cream serge and lace; Miss Reynolds, pink; Miss M. Allen, pink and black; Misses Connors (2), pink and black; Miss O’Shea, black; Miss Jordon, cream."

Two years later, most young ladies were attired in “nuns veiling”; for example: pale blue nuns veiling and cream lace (Miss B. Carroll); cream nuns veiling and chiffon (Miss Foley); eau de nil nuns veiling (Miss Guihan); black nuns veiling relieved with cream satin (Miss Taylor); cream nuns veiling and lace and heliotrope ribbon (Miss L. Taylor); pale green nuns veiling and cream lace (Miss Ciyuch); pink nuns veiling, silk sleeves and chiffon (Miss Short); cream nuns veiling and green satin (Miss O’Keefe).

Again in 1897, “by one o’clock upwards of four hundred persons were present” at the annual picnic and ball, “and visitors came in large numbers from all directions”.

“When the wants of all had been satisfied an excellent program of sports was negotiated on the recreation ground”: Picnic Handicap (won by James Harding); Hunting Contest (won by J. Hanrahan’s Nellie); Trotting Match (won by J. Kinneally’s Snowflake); Kicking the Football (won by W.Kiley); Throwing at Wicket (won by J. Kenny); Boy’s Race (won by E. Murphy); Hop, Step and Jump (won by W. Bond).

“The Ball at night was one of the best ever held in connection with this annual event, about 100 couples attending.”

“The music was supplied by Messrs Dan. Condon (cornet), S. Condon (piano), and W. Wallace (violin) who gave every satisfaction.”

“Amongst those who were attired in evening dress were many handsome and costly costumes.”

In August 1898, the “Catholic Press” congratulated Father Barlow and his committee on “having organised the best day’s enjoyment for many years on the South Coast.”

“The picnic was held on Weary [sic] Beach, which is a great improvement on the old recreation ground.”

In 1899, first prize for the Picnic Handicap was £8, with £2 for the Hunting Contest, 7/6 for Kicking the Football and the Hop, Step and Jump, 5/- for the Boy’s Race. For Throwing the Weight (56 pounds), the placegetters received a factory can and two buckets.

The Annual Ball was held continuously from 1882 until the “One Last Time” theme on 17th August 2012.