Moss Vale Courthouse celebrates its centenary

Monday, 12 February 2024

A ceremony celebrating the 100th year of Moss Vale Courthouse was held at the historic building today, marking a century of delivering justice for the Southern Highlands community.

The milestone event was attended by public officials, legal professionals and local services. Guests included the Chief Magistrate and Deputy Chief Magistrate, current and former magistrates, police, barristers and staff from the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, Berrima District Historical Society, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Communities and Justice.

Modern day Moss Vale Courthouse, which sits on Gundungurra Country, has functioned as a court in the NSW judicial system since 1924 however its origins date back to the late 19th century.

The old courthouse and police quarters were constructed in 1880 near the Moss Vale post office and train station but the buildings were demolished in 1915 to make way for a large expansion of the railway yards. An old toll gate weighbridge and crane remain on the site of where these buildings stood.

In the following period, court sittings were conducted at the Oddfellow’s Hall and in hotel parlours and after eight years of lobbying by local MPs, Wingecarribee Shire Council and the community, funding was secured in late 1922 to build the new Courthouse.

The plans for the building were announced in February 1923 and it was designed by Government Architect George McRae with construction costing £7,700 (around $757,000 today). The foundation stone was laid on 16 June 1923 and the Courthouse was completed in January 1924.

In recent years, the Courthouse has received several upgrades to meet modern justice needs. These include electronic equipment for evidence playback and audio-visual link (AVL) appearances, TV screens and remote witness facilities.

Outside the courtroom, the balcony has been enclosed and accessibility has been improved with ramps installed at the rear of the building and public area doors have been adjusted to accommodate mobility devices.

The courthouse was renovated in 2022 to improve support for vulnerable people attending court. Work included an upgraded private area to help make attending court more comfortable for survivors of domestic violence and other vulnerable individuals.

Quotes attributable to Attorney General Michael Daley:

“Moss Vale Courthouse has been delivering justice for the Southern Highlands for generations and has a rich history.

“Individuals, some rather colourful, have traversed the steps of this courthouse for generations and in doing so have shaped the rich story of Moss Vale – its everyday and mundane but also its darker and more colourful moments.

“The foundation stone itself carries the name of then Minister for Justice, the Hon. Thomas John Ley, who supported the community to secure funding for the new courthouse for Moss Vale. This was a victory for the community and downpayment towards its future.

“NSW Government is committed to ensuring the Courthouse remains fit-for-purpose and retains its historic character for years to come.”