Balmain History

In the beginning – William Balmain

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William Balmain was a British naval surgeon who sailed as an assistant surgeon with the First Fleet to establish the first European settlement in Australia, and later he became the colony’s Principal Surgeon (1788-1791).

For his services, Governor Hunter granted him 200 hectares (550 acres) which formed part of the present-day suburb of Balmain. Hence the suburb was named after him. Balmain sold his land holdings in 1801 for five shillings to John Gilchrist of Calcutta.

Inner City photos © Destination NSW

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▼ INNER SYDNEY PAGES

• INNER SYDNEY
• BALMAIN VISITOR GUIDE
  • BALMAIN ATTRACTIONS
  • BALMAIN HISTORY
• DULWICH HILL VISITOR GUIDE
• ENMORE VISITOR GUIDE
• NEWTOWN VISITOR GUIDE
  • NEWTOWN SHOPPING
• MARRICKVILLE VISITOR GUIDE