In 2009 the City of Randwick celebrates 150 years of local government.

Randwick was proclaimed a local government area on 22 February 1859. It was the first to be established in NSW after the City of Sydney. The boundaries that were set then are substantially the same as today's. Randwick became a city in 1990.

Our City's rich and diverse heritage is steeped in the history of Australia. Before European settlement, there was an extensive Indigenous community living in this area. Visits to Botany Bay by Captain Cook, Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet, and French explorer La Perouse, link Randwick to the earliest days of European exploration and settlement.

Our heritage includes a close connection to the Federation of Australia, sports history, national defence and urban development.

Our celebration plans so far

To celebrate this rich history and the 150th anniversary of Randwick becoming a municipality, Randwick Council has commissioned professional historian Pauline Curby to research and write a comprehensive book on the history of Randwick. She is working closely with the community to unearth stories and photographs that reflect Randwick's diverse history, and to interconnect with our wider Australian heritage.

The Council is also planning to celebrate the anniversary with community festivities throughout 2009. Some suggestions include a day long festival of heritage themed activities, a photographic competition and a public exhibition of community memorabilia.