Most residents of Kiama, Gerringong, and Jamberoo may not realise the significance of the scattered remnants of the cabbage tree palms to the identity of the Indigenous inhabitants of the area, the Dharawal, and the early Kiama settlers, many originally from Northern Ireland.

The first iconically Australian headgear was the cabbage tree palm hat, made by boiling the leaves until white and then weaving them together. These hats were known for their durability and ability to withstand rainwater.

Livonia australis, also known as the cabbage tree, is a plant species that is widespread along the NSW coast, extending into Queensland and Victoria. However, it is particularly lush and widespread in the Illawarra, especially Southern Illawarra around Kiama.

The local name for the cabbage tree palm is Dharawal. Indigenous stories tell that when the ancestors from the north arrived at the mouth of Lake Illawarra, they brought the sacred Dharawal, which gave their language its name with them.

The heart of the trunk could be used for medicine, and new growth could be eaten raw or cooked, and leaves used to create shelter, but its real strength was for string rope and hats. 

Many farms around Kiama and Jamberoo still have scattered remnant cabbage tree palms on paddocks used for dairy cattle.

The tree is quite long-lived and can be between 100 and 200 years old, with some new plantings of cabbage palm trees along the sea edge at School Flat.

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly previously proposed planting cabbage tree palms all along Bombo Beach in 2019.

David Radford from the Kiama and District Historical Society has given a number of talks on the local significance of these trees. 

The art of making cabbage palm hats has been revived by some historical societies such as in Parramatta. 

While the cabbage palm tree is part of Kiama’s heritage, there is currently some local concern about losing some old cabbage palm trees to future development in central Kiama and Kiama Heights.