Support wanted to name the Peninsula

Peninsula News has launched a campaign to officially recognise our area as The Peninsula.

On the initiative of journalist Mr Lyle Stone and his friend Mr Nic Meier, Peninsula News has asked Gosford Council to have the name "The Peninsula" or "Woy Woy Peninsula" gazetted with the Geographical Names Board.

Support from the community is now required to back the application.

"Peninsula News is looking for submissions supporting the naming, and information to support the history of the names The Peninsula or Woy Woy Peninsula," said Mr Stone.

He said that Woy Woy, Ettalong and Umina had long been collectively referred to as The Peninsula by both Gosford Council and local businesses.

"However, the name itself was never officially gazetted."

Mr Stone said the reasons for the proposal included the "name's wide use in the community and solidifying the Peninsula's identity".

"Gosford Council itself has referred to The Peninsula by its name in many official documents over a period of time, as can be attested to by a quick search of council's database," Mr Stone said.

"Over 100 documents immediately refer to the area as either The Peninsula (70 plus) or the Woy Woy Peninsula (30 plus).

"Council's local studies librarian Mr Geoff Potter also refers to the area as both The Peninsula and Woy Woy Peninsula in the official historical document 'Woy Woy: a brief history' compiled in March last year."

Mr Stone said many businesses and community groups in the area currently use the name Peninsula in their titles.

"Businesses and community facilities using the name include council's own Peninsula Regional Leisure Centre, the Peninsula's largest employer Peninsula Village, the Peninsula Theatre and the Peninsula Community Centre.

"The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce also represents some businesses in the area.

"There are almost 40 identifiable businesses with the name Peninsula or Woy Woy Peninsula in their title.

"Making the name Woy Woy Peninsula official may help in promoting and supporting those businesses and tourism, by limiting possible confusion over where this specific Peninsula is located."

According to a book written about the history of Woy Woy Rotary, "We've done some silly things...", the name was first suggested by former mayor and Peninsula identity Mr Don Leggett.

The book stated that "It would be some time before local government identity and Woy Woy Rotary President Don Leggett would dub the place The Peninsula.

"Although the area is not a Peninsula, Don thought it seemed like a good way (to) link three communities.

"Despite early rejection from some quarters, the name stuck."

To submit the name for gazettal, the submitter must have the approval of local council.

Mr Stone has approached council and a report is currently being made by the corporate services directorate.

Council policy stated that if councillors agreed to the submission, the item would then go out on public exhibition for comment, and then returned to council for its decision.

If council resolved to approve the submission, it would then be submitted to the Geographical Names Board.

"The area has been known as the Peninsula and the Woy Woy Peninsula for a long time," Mr Stone said.

"Clearly the name has stuck, and this submission should be merely a formality."

David Mehan successfully applied for the gazettal of the name Central Coast in late 2005.

Community submissions supporting the official recognition of the Peninsula should be sent to Peninsula News, PO Box 537, Woy Woy NSW 2257 or by email at mail@peninsulanews.asn.au.

Lyle Stone, 9 Feb 2007