Bomaderry came after Nowra with many public utilities, but this was not the case with electricity which was switched on 93 years ago.
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Kiama was the first town in the region to have the power, and Berry was next to form a link in the chain of sub-stations which started in Port Kembla.
In the week prior to the switch-on, The Shoalhaven Telegraph proclaimed, "The main road from the railway station to Nowra bridge will be a 'white way' compared to the darkness that previously existed".
Bomaderry's big day was Monday, September 12, 1927 and the local community was heavily involved.
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Heading the celebratory committee was perhaps the township's best known resident, Ebenezer Read who had been principal of Bomaderry Primary School since 1903.
A basket picnic was held, and every child in attendance received a present in honour of the celebration.
According to a report in the Telegraph, "Bomaderry was sparking in every cylinder when the hour came to switch on".
First of the speakers was the Mayor of Berry Municipal Council (which took in Bomaderry), Alderman Arthur Watson who assured residents they would not regret this move.
After three months Berry had 100 consumers and needed only a further 20 to make it a paying proposition.
Council had no trouble in collecting their accounts for lighting and no ratepayer had complained that the light was too expensive, he said.
Bomaderry already had its first 25 consumers, and this would undoubtedly grow.
Mrs Ada McGuire, wife of a Bomaderry based alderman, performed the ceremony and she switched on the power amidst enthusiastic cheering.
Speaking on her behalf, Ald. Arch McGuire said his wife would cherish the gold key given to her as a memento of the occasion, and he hoped to see every house in Bomaderry made brighter by the live wire of electricity.
Among the other speakers, Ald. James Barham claimed Bomaderry was the most progressive locality this side of Berry, but criticised the Government which had refused to defray the cost of lighting the Shoalhaven River bridge.
At the conclusion of the speeches "rockets were sent up from the ground near the sub-station" in a spectacular fireworks display.
With the arrival of this form of power came the need for a new type of tradesman, and Nowra contractor Daniel Eastburn advertised that he had "secured the services of an experienced electrician, and will be pleased to quote on all classes of house wiring".