Dr Tony Gilmour has spent his career bridging the worlds of finance, housing policy and heritage conservation.

Now retired in Kiama, he remains an active force in historical research and community advocacy, bringing his expertise to both local and national discussions.

With a PhD in Urban Planning from the University of Sydney, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor and Master of Arts in History from Cambridge University, Tony Gilmour built a global career that included 20 years in investment banking.

He later focused on not-for-profit community housing across Australia and New Zealand, helping to shape policies and support providers tackling housing affordability and social housing shortages.

Despite his extensive experience, he sees himself first and foremost as a historian. 

“This is my passion now, writing histories and researching the stories that shaped our communities,” he says.

His latest project is a detailed history of Kiama’s pubs, tracing the evolution of these social hubs and the characters who frequented them.

Dr Gilmour’s approach to history is rigorous, drawing on original sources not just secondary accounts. 

“A lot of information out there has not been properly researched. As a trained historian, I go to the original sources such as newspaper articles on Trove, land titles, national archives and oral histories,” he explains.

His upcoming book on Kiama’s hotels will launch on March 22, with two events marking the occasion:

• A formal launch at the downstairs Kiama Library auditorium, hosted by the Kiama Historical Society at 2pm

• A gathering at 5pm at the upstairs bar of The Kiama Inn Hotel, affectionately known to locals as ‘Torys’

For Tony, the book is more than a history of pubs. 

“You cannot write about hotels without writing about the people, the changing economy and the way our community has evolved,” he says.

Dr Gilmour’s passion for history led him to take on a leadership role in the Kiama Historical Society, where he serves as Vice President and Treasurer.

Under his guidance, the society has embraced digital tools, grant funding and new exhibitions, including an initiative with Aunty Joyce Donovan to improve the representation of Aboriginal history at the Pilot’s Cottage Museum.

“We have secured funding to develop displays that better tell the story of First Nations people in this area,” he says. “It is an important step in ensuring our local history is inclusive and properly documented.”

While Tony insists, he is taking a break from writing large books, his passion for history continues. This year, he will focus on curating new museum displays and documenting the 50 year history of the Kiama Historical Society .

For those wanting to explore local history, he encourages people to get involved. 

“Come to one of our monthly speaker events at Kiama Library, three dollars for members, five dollars for guests. You will hear fascinating talks, meet like minded people and enjoy tea and cake afterwards,” he says.

Kiama is fortunate to have someone with Dr Gilmour’s depth of knowledge, not only shaping conversations about the past but also helping to navigate the challenges of the future. 

“We have incredible talent and expertise in this community, let’s find ways to use it,” he says.