Blue Plaque in Kiama to honour writer Charmian Clift
One of the leading writers and essayist of the 1960s, Charmain Clift, will be recognised with a Blue Plaque in Kiama on the NSW south coast.
The plaque is one of 14 chosen in the second round of the popular Blue Plaques NSW program. It will celebrate Clift’s insightful writing, spirit and enduring impact on those who closely followed her widely-read newspaper column on societal issues for five years in the late 1960s.
Born in 1923 in Kiama, Clift exhibited a passion for writing from a young age. Wining a photo contest at 18 provided her an opportunity to move to Sydney. Facing challenges, including an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent adoption of her daughter Clift joined the Australian Women's Army Service in 1943, sparking her journalism career.
A love affair with war correspondent George Johnston led to scandal and their move to Greece in 1954 where Charmian wrote autobiographical works and novels including Mermaid Singing (1956) and Peel Me a Lotus (1959).
The family returned to Australia in 1964, and Clift's newspaper columns from 1964 to 1969 became influential 'mini essays' addressing societal issues. Her popularity skyrocketed, before she tragically took her own life in 1969.
The Kiama and District Historical Society nominated Clift for this Blue Plaque, which was chosen from 117 nominations made by the public and assessed by independent historians. To this day Kiama’s library has the largest collection of her work.
Heritage NSW is working with experts and potential property owners to finalise the plaque’s location and once installed it will be listed on the Blue Plaques NSW website.
Blue Plaques NSW celebrates well-known characters many of us are familiar with, but also brings attention to lesser-known stories of people and events that shaped a particular community, town, or field of work or study.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe:
“The second round Blue Plaques recognises the diverse individuals, events and perspectives that make the history of NSW so intriguing.
“Whether you’re exploring your own neighbourhood or taking a drive off the beaten track to regional towns like Grafton and Pambula, there’s a Blue Plaque for you to discover.
“The installation of each new plaque brings added interest to the heritage of an area, encouraging locals to explore their backyards, and inviting those from further afield to learn more about the history of these communities.”
Quotes attributable to Sarah Kaine, Duty MLC for Kiama:
“To honour Charmian Clift with a Blue Plaque is to recognise not just a writer but a woman who faced adversity with grace, turning her life's chapters into an inspiring narrative that continues to resonate.
“Charmian's early struggles shaped her, but it was her courage and words that defined her. From Bombo Beach to the battlefields of journalism, she faced life head-on.
“Charmian's journey from a small coastal town is part of the rich history of both Kiama and NSW, and it will be wonderful to see a Blue Plaque installed in her honour for both locals and visitors to see.”
Full list of round two Blue Plaques
| Subject | Recognition | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Butler | A woman without formal engineering qualifications who had a central role in the development of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. | Sydney CBD |
| Emma Jane Callaghan | Aboriginal midwife, activist, nurse, and Indigenous Culture Recorder. | Phillip Bay, Sydney |
| Susan Katherina Schardt | Born blind, Schardt established the Commonwealth Home for Destitute Invalids, now known as Royal Rehab. | Ryde |
| Dorothy Simpson McGregor Drain | One of the first Australian female war correspondents, who reported on the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She was also a poet, columnist, and Editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly. | Glebe |
| Establishment of the first recorded life savers club | Founded in February 1907, the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was the first recorded Surf Lifesaving Club in Australia. | Bondi |
| Sir William Dobell | A portrait and landscape artist and three-time winner of the Archibald Prize. | Wangi Wangi |
| Syms Covington | A cabin boy on the HMS Beagle who became assistant to Charles Darwin. Syms later worked as a businessman and postmaster in Pambula. | Pambula |
| Charmian Clift | A prolific writer and essayist. | Kiama |
| Pearl Mary Gibbs | A prominent female activist in the Aboriginal rights movement, Gibbs was heavily involved in the development of the Day of Mourning and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. | Sydney CBD |
| Ioannis (Jack) and Antonios (Tony) Notaras | Greek immigrant businessmen known for establishing Grafton’s still-thriving Saraton Theatre. | Grafton |
| Beryl Mary McLaughlin | One of the first three women graduates of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture. | Wentworth Falls |
| Ken Thomas | Trucker and entrepreneur known for establishing the TNT transport empire and for his contributions to road safety. | Murrumburrah |
| Grace Emily Munro | Co-founder and first president of the Country Women’s Association. | Bingara |
| First release of myxomatosis | The CSIRO released myxomatosis in Balldale in 1950, to combat a severe rabbit problem. It was the world’s first successful biological program for control of a mammalian pest. | Balldale |