Ballina began near the mouth of the Richmond River in the early 1840's as a work camp for Irish timber cutters seeking the precious Red Cedar (known colloquially as 'Red Gold') that grew along river and creek banks in the area. They called the new settlement Ballina after a town by that name they knew in County Mayo, Ireland. The Aboriginal name for the area was Bullenah and to the new Irish settlers, this sounded similar to Ballina. The first Post Office was established in 1856, the first School in 1861 and the first Bank in 1883. Sugar cane was planted in the 1860's and became a popular local crop. The timber and farming community evolved into a bustling port, servicing a growing amount of coastal shipping as well as river cargo travelling to and from the hinterland. At one time Ballina was the third busiest port in New South Wales.