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Andrews pays a tribute

Spike Milligan has been paid a tribute by local MP, Ms Marie Andrews.

"Spike often visited Way Woy to stay with his mother, well-known local identity Flo Milligan," she said.

"Flo lived to be in her 90s and was for many years at the forefront of Anzac Day marches heid in Woy Woy.

"Spike has been acclaimed for putting Woy Woy on the map, particularly as far as United Kingdom residents are concerned," said Ms Andrews.

"Thanks to Spike's unsolicited promotion of the area, many visitors from the British Isles call in to see Spike's much loved 'Woy', as he insisted calling Woy Woy."

In coming "a little off the beaten track", these visitors had been and would continue to be a great boost to the local economy, she said.

"Further, they take back with them good words about the natural beauty of the Woy Woy Peninsula and that attracts even more tourists to the area."

She said that while Spike became famous for being one of the Goons, it was a little known fact that during his lifetime he wrote 50 books.

"Younger Central Coast residents reminded me that Spike was the voice behind BBC television's cartoon series The Rattles.

Ms Andrews made a "private member's statement" in parliament in Spike's honour.

"Currently the public library at Woy Woy is being upgraded and there has been a strong call to immortalise the name Spike Milligan in the renovated building.

"Now that Spike has passed on, I expect that that debate will be reignited," she said.

She said that Spike grew to love the area and the locals and he had contributed to the local community.

The preservation of a small weatherboard church in Blackwall Rd, which now houses an environment centre, was a gift from Spike Milligan to the local residents.

"Vale Spike Milligan, a much loved adopted son of the Woy Woy Peninsula and the Central Coast at large."

Woy Woy would long remember and revere him, she said.

Press release, March1