by Joan Fenton

Thank you for the response to last issue's History & Heritage column.

I've been able to answer a few of your questions this month, and I'll be happy to receive any feedback or requests.

If you have a question about the history of Woy Woy, or of the Central Coast, or if you have a special request for the column, please drop me a note (PO Box 720, Woy Woy, 2256).

Gosford District Local History Study Group is a small band of local historians dedicated to the preservation of our past.

The Group has also published local history books, several of which have been included as recommended texts for university courses.

Books such as the Rev Alfred Glennie Journals 1855-62, Agnes Fagan's Diary 1885 and The Brisbane Water Case 1836-7 give a clear picture of what life was like on the Central Coast last century.

Some of their books are now out of print, but are available at local branch libraries.

Their next book will be a typescript of one of the first Magistrate's Bench Books from the 1830s.

The Group has an office at the Niagara Park shopping/community centre, courtesy of Gosford City Council, and is open from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 3pm for historical research.

Phone 4328 5960 to make an appointment.

Woy Woy Shire

Apart from a period in the 19th Century when Brisbane Water District Council was in existence, local government began in Woy Woy when Erina Shire was formed in 1906.

Woy Woy was part of the 'C' Riding of that Shire with two representatives.

The Shire was divided into six Ridings in 1908, with one representative each.

The Woy Woy area then became part of 'D' Riding of Erina Shire.

Mr CJ Staples of Woy Woy took office as 'D' Riding's representative in 1920, and was subsequently on two occasions elected as Erina Shire President.

In June 1921, a large public meeting was held and an organisation known as the Brisbane Water Ratepayers' Association was formed, with the specific aim of working for the separation of Woy Woy from Erina Shire.

This was in response to a perceived need that a tourist resort such as Woy Woy needed self-government.

The 'New Shire' movement was active and vocal, and a public inquiry was held in Gosford at the end of 1922, but the proposed separation was not approved by the Minister for Local Government.

The Association continued its agitation and there was a further public inquiry a few years later which resulted in Ministerial approval.

There was much discussion by Erina Shire Council as to what the 'New Shire' would be called.

The Ratepayers' Association wanted 'Brisbane Water Shire', but Erina Council would have none of that! Their suggestions were either 'Patonga Shire', 'Broken Bay Shire', 'Ettalong Shire' or even 'Burrawang Shire'.

A compromise was made, and Woy Woy Shire was formally constituted on 1st August 1928.

Cr Staples became the Chairman of the Provisional Council and the first President of Woy Woy Shire Council.

Other Shire Councillors were: AE Smith, EW Williams, WHW Bassan, MJ Green and JW Morris.

In 1931, Woy Woy Shire Council erected a building to accommodate the Shire officers and records, and which would also be used as Council Chambers.

The Peninsula in 1952

Count the number of houses in your street.

Now compare that figure with the total number of houses in the Peninsula area in 1952:

Woy Woy 996

Booker Bay 501

Ettalong Beach 1124

Umina-Ocean Beach 975

Tascott 26

Koolewong 114

Orange Grove 92

Pearl Beach-Patonga 182

Total 4010

The Woy Woy Horse Club was formed late in 1950 and had a steady growth over the next few years.

By 1952 there were 55 active members.

Although the Club started in Woy Woy, it attracted members from all parts of the Central Coast, as well as Sydney and Newcastle.

The Club conducted regular gymkhanas.

These were held at either Woy Woy Oval, Ettalong, or the Woy Woy Airstrip (now Trafalgar Avenue).

The Club also held fortnightly riding outings.

Places visited on these rides were Pearl Beach and Patonga, Mt Sugarloaf and Point Clare.

As well, a full day's ride to Somersby was a popular activity.

A fledgling polo competition was underway in 1952 between the Woy Woy team - the 'Galloping Bunyips' and the Narara team - the 'Geebungs'.

(From The Gosford Times, 9th May 1952)

First AIF Order of Battle

http://www.bluedog.apana.org.au/~hawkeye/FirstAIF_index.html

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

http://yard.ccta.gov.uk/cwgc/register.html

'Towards 2000 - The Century in Review' is the theme of this year's Heritage Festival.

The Festival is presented by the National Trust with major financial support through the NSW Heritage Council's Heritage Assistance Program.

Communities all over NSW will be celebrating their heritage through special events and activities.

[PHOTO: JOAN FENTON]

[PHOTO: JOAN FENTON]