Balmain takes its name from William Balmain who was appointed in 1796 as Principal Surgeon for NSW. In 1800 he was granted a parcel of land of about 500 acres in what is now known as Balmain and Rozelle and which he subsequently sold on his return to England in 1801. Over time this large parcel of land was subdivided and the suburbs of Balmain, East Balmain and Rozelle emerged.

Also in 1796 governor Hunter granted land in the area now known as Birchgrove. Birchgrove takes its name from Birchgrove House built by Lieutenant Thomas Birch in about 1812. This historic house was demolished in 1967 and replaced by home units. Birch had purchased what was then known as Whitfield’s farm in 1810 and this estate subsequently changed hands on several occasions. In 1856 a Frenchman, Didier Joubert, commenced the first residential subdivision with streets such as Louisa and Numa named after his family.

Rozelle was actually known as West Balmain until 1892 when it was renamed Rozelle. The origins of the name are not known although it has been suggested that it is derived from the nearby bay which had been known as Rozella Bay. This may have related in turn to birds or flowers. Rozelle is well known for Callan Park which was established as a mental hospital in 1877 with the transfer of some patients from Gladesville Hospital.

A significant part of the history of Balmain / Rozelle is tied to shipbuilding and dates back to the early 1800’s when shipyards were established. Over time this activity attracted other industries and the area remained largely an industrial area until the 1970s. After World War 2 large scale industry such as the Balmain Coal Loader, Power Station, Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive, Monsanto and Caltex provided much employment. The area also developed a reputation as noisy and polluted – not really a nice place to live!

• Birchgrove was the entry point for a large coalmine which operated under the harbour?
• During the years 1942-45, 11 naval ships were constructed at Mort Bay?
• At its peak Mort Industries was the single biggest employer in Australia?
• There were two power stations located in Rozelle, one near the Iron cove Bridge now the site of Balmain Shores apartments and the other still standing at White Bay.
• The first game of the Sydney (now National) Rugby League competition was played at Birchgrove Oval.

Should you wish to find more about the history of Balmain & Rozelle The Balmain Association has regular meetings at the Balmain Watch House.