Saving Riley's Island

Riley's Island in the Brisbane Water is a gem of natural beauty and an important environmental element to maintain the good health of the estuary.

The island was originally owned by Father Riley and it was later sold to be developed as a housing estate.

However, public will and action saved the island from this ordinary urban fate.

In 1974, a public meeting was held at East Gosford Progress Hall to discuss the Riley's Island development.

From this meeting a committee was formed.

This committee was headed by Brian MacGowan, later to become the State Member for Gosford in 1976.

Morrie Breen was secretary and Bob Symington was treasurer.

Meetings were held at Joan Morts' house at Terrigal.

Joan was to become a councillor on Gosford Shire Council 1977-1980.

The committee also included Sonia and Maureen, two teachers from Woy Woy Primary School and Joan Whitfield, Allan Whitfield and Vince Murray from the Central Coast Trades and Labor Council.

The committee's first action was to develop a paper, "The Situation of Riley's Island 1974", giving the history and the environmental aspects of retaining the island as a nature reserve.

This was the first action of the committee and the start of long campaign to save the island.

Petitions were circulated, public meetings held, publicity and information distributed and support sought and given by the famous comedian and writer, Spike Milligan.

Many talented people served on the committee including Merv and Coleen Cronin, lan Glen, Brian Long, Robert Bell (the current Mayor of Gosford) and his wife Linda, and Vincent Murray, who worked tirelessly with petitions, lobbying politicians and trade union officials.

Vince worked so hard for the project, I would suggest that the powers that be should name some part of the island after him.

The State Government of the time was not supportive of the campaign to save the island, but the government changed in 1976. The new Wran government became more amenable to our cause.

The highlight of our struggle for political support was an interview with Premier Neville Wran.

He was most interested and promised support.

He said negotiations would be held with the owners, the LJ Hooker company.

Eventually these were successful and the island was declared a nature-reserve in the mid-1980s.

Keith Whitfield, Woy Woy