Lambton, New South Wales

Originally a coal-mining township, Lambton was incorporated as a Municipality (including Jesmond, New South Wales), on 24th June 1871. The 1891 Census gave the population as 3,434. It was the first municipality in Newcastle district to be lit by electric light.

In 1901 there were 14 churches, a Music Hall, Assembly Rooms, a Temperance Hall, a Mechanics' Institute, Miners' Institute, a Post, Telegraph and Money Order Office, a Savings Bank, Court House, Fire Brigade, Council Chambers, and fine public schools. There were collieries, coke-ovens and a soap-works at Jesmond.

In 1901 the Municipal Council had as Mayor: Matthew Thornton and Town Clerk: Thomas Johnson. In 1938 an Act of the New South Wales Parliament created a "City of Greater Newcastle", incorporating 11 municipalities into one local government area, including Lambton.

The Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly who represented Lambton was Arthur Hill Griffith, Member for Waratah.^[1]

[edit] Colliery

Lambton Colliery

The largest and principal industry was the Scottish-Australian Coal Mining Company's Lambton Colliery, mine and estate managed by the three Croudace brothers: Frank, Thomas, and Sydney. It finally closed in the late 1950s although the railway line which connected it with Newcastle harbour was operational for about another decade because of other coal-loading facilities still operational at the mine. Today the entire area is covered with housing.

[edit] Other

Lambton boasted a popular cinema, the King's Theatre, which still operated as such into the 1980s. It is today a theatre-restaurant known as "King's Comedy". The restaurant has since shut down after failing the funny test.

One of the great attractions of the town centre is the magnificent Lambton Park, which contains a 19th century bandstand (Renovated since, better known to locals as "The Rotunda"), children's play area, bowling greens, tennis courts, and beautiful gardens.